Premier League: Liverpool v Chelsea betting preview, tips, team news, TV details

TV: Sky Sports Premier League & Main Event, 4.30pm Sunday

It's the fixture that still sends shivers down the spines of the Anfield Road regulars but unlike five years ago Liverpool can clear the Chelsea hurdle as they hunt a first title in the Premier League era.

On April 27, 2014, Liverpool hosted a weakened Chelsea, who rested seven players in preparation for a Champions League semi-final, as 2-11 title favourites before Steven Gerrard gifted the Londoners a goal with his infamous slip.

Chelsea won 2-0, Manchester City beat Crystal Palace immediately afterwards and went odds-on in the title race, a battle they won by two points, to leave Liverpool searching for their first championship since 1990.

The fixture list has worked out exactly the same - only City play before Liverpool this time - and whatever happens at Selhurst Park, expect Jurgen Klopp's side to thrive in the lively Anfield atmosphere.

Leaders Liverpool have had to show their mettle in recent weeks, coming from behind to beat Burnley and Southampton and needing late drama to overcome Fulham and Tottenham, turning draws into much-needed victories.

At various points Klopp's frightening front three of Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and former Chelsea man Mohamed Salah have been required to produce telling moments of quality and always delivered.

The trio have 47 league goals between them this term, while Klopp may also have found his best midfield in the 2-0 win over Porto in the Champions League on Tuesday, using Fabinho behind Jordan Henderson and Naby Keita.

Liverpool will aim to run the legs off Chelsea and Maurizio Sarri's outfit don't appear to have the defensive resolve on the evidence of this season's away trips to the big six.

Chelsea were humiliated 6-0 at City and easily beaten 2-0 at Arsenal and 3-1 at Tottenham.

On every occasion Sarri's side were out of the contest by half-time, eventually allowing a total of 23 shots on target, and the Blues have lost half of their ten away trips in 2019 with the victories coming at Malmo, Fulham, Dynamo Kiev, Cardiff and Slavia Prague.

When it comes to the crunch, Chelsea have suffered defeats in five of their six away matches against top-half Premier League opponents. The only exception was a win at tenth-placed Watford.

The hope for top-four chasing Chelsea comes in their big-game mentality, highlighted in the League Cup final when they took City to penalties, and a healthy record of eight matches unbeaten at Anfield plus the brilliance of Belgian Eden Hazard.

His solo goal against West Ham on Monday was a thing of beauty and Hazard also scored in the League Cup win at Anfield this season, when both managers made wholesale changes, as well as notching in the 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture.

Hazard's form is a warning for Liverpool, who may not be able to keep a clean sheet, but should still end up with maximum points.

Recommendations
Liverpool to win 2-1
0.5pt 8-1 bet365
Liverpool to win 3-1
0.5pt 14-1 bet365

Bet on this match at soccerbase.com

Premier League standings

Team news
Liverpool
Andy Robertson is back from a European ban and Adam Lallana should return from injury.

Chelsea
Emerson and Callum Hudson-Odoi return after being rested in Prague on Thursday. Maurizio Sarri must decide whether to stick by Gonzalo Higuain or use Eden Hazard as a false nine.

Key stat
Liverpool are unbeaten in their last 37 home Premier League matches.

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