"This is a tough game for them" - Chris Sutton predicts winner of Liverpool vs Chelsea
Chris Sutton has predicted Liverpool to beat Chelsea at Anfield this weekend. The former Celtic striker believes there won't be any love lost when the two sides meet on Sunday, October 20.
In his weekly BBC predictions column, Sutton stated that while Alisson's injury is a blow to liverpool, Caoimhin Kelleher is an able replacement. He backed the home side to pick up a 2-1 win, writing:
"Everyone is talking now about the tests coming up for Liverpool, who have started the season with what some people are calling gentler fixtures but, after this game, go to Emirates Stadium next weekend. This is a tough game for them for starters. There has been a great rivalry between these two clubs in the past couple of decades and I don't think there will be much love lost when they meet on Sunday, either."
"Can Chelsea go to Anfield and dominate Liverpool? I am not so sure. Alisson's injury is a blow for the Reds but Caoimhin Kelleher is a very capable back-up in goal. At the other end, Arne Slot's playing style seems to suit Mohamed Salah and I am expecting Liverpool's attacking options to give them the edge," he added.
Legendary boxing manager Kellie Maloney was with Sutton this week for his predictions and echoed the same scoreline as the BBC pundit. She heaped praise on Cole Palmer but believes the Reds will be victorious at Anfield.
Didi Hamann predicts Liverpool to beat Chelsea
Dietmar "Didi" Hamann has also backed Liverpool to get the better of Chelsea this weekend. Although the German believes Chelsea are slowly picking up form, he predicted Liverpool to come out on top at Anfield. Hamann told Wettbasis.com:
"We will have to wait and see with Chelsea. They have a very, very large squad. They seem to have managed to slowly get a shallow plant to grow, but it is still very early days for them. So I definitely think that Liverpool can pull it off at the weekend."
The Reds have made a great start to life after the Jurgen Klopp era. Arne Slot's side are on top of the Premier League table with 18 points from their opening seven matches.
Enzo Maresca started off his Stamford Bridge career with a loss to Manchester City, but has been unbeaten in the league since. The Blues sit fourth in the table with 14 points – three behind Manchester City and Arsenal.