A new season begins with a blockbuster clash as both clubs look to bounce back from underwhelming campaigns last time out.
The 2023/24 season kicks off for Liverpool with a mammoth fixture against Premier League rivals Chelsea on the opening weekend of the season. The Blues will look to start off with a bang in front of their fans after a nightmare maiden season for their owners that saw them place 12th in the league.
A turbulent campaign saw them go through four different managers as Thomas Tuchel’s sacking in early September sparked a devastating loss of form under Graham Potter who lasted only seven months in charge before Bruno Saltor then Frank Lampard saw out the season as interim and caretaker boss respectively.
Seemingly moving from one crisis to another, the Chelsea hierarchy appointed Mauricio Pochettino to get their ambitious yet expensive project in order with the former Tottenham manager having a point to prove in English football. The Argentine has already fostered an exciting playing identity in his short time in charge as he led his young side to the first-ever Premier League Summer Series title after going unbeaten.
Chelsea look structured and attack better but they have lots of room for improvement after registering a single point in their last three league games in 2022/23.
Their opponents from Merseyside are the other giants who faltered in the last campaign although Jurgen Klopp’s men had a late-season rally to a fifth-placed finish. Indeed, Liverpool would be seeking a statement win at Stamford Bridge that announces their title credentials for the season ahead.
The Reds are desperate for a quick return to top four reckoning which eluded them after a poor start this time last year. This team is used to competing neck-for-neck with Manchester City in the title race and they would be hoping to get back to those relentless levels.
A 13-game unbeaten run and a spot in the Europa League proved an end-of-season consolation for the Anfield side. They will be keen to continue that impressive run but a much-needed midfield revamp is underway to give life to the rebuild.
Despite the big departures, Liverpool won three of their five pre-season engagements and scored at least three goals in each game.
Match tickets
This classic Premier League fixture will kick off on Sunday 13th August 2023 at 4:30 pm UK time and it will be shown live on Sky Sports with subscribers being able to watch the game on TV or on the Sky Go app while non-subscribers will get to watch highlights on Sunday night.
Those who want to attend the game, however, will find that tickets are in extremely high demand as Stamford Bridge is sure to be sold out. Any game with Liverpool is always a huge occasion and the excitement of Pochettino’s debut as the Chelsea manager will only add to the atmosphere.
One may still be able to get Liverpool tickets to see Klopp pit his wits against an old adversary but it is unlikely to be available through official club channels. Therefore, fans can try their luck with ticket reselling sites to secure a seat for the big kick-off.
Team news
Pochettino will be trying to bring stability on and off the pitch to the club amidst a complete rebuild during the summer with stalwarts like captain Cesar Azpilicueta, N’Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic, Mason Mount, Kalidou Koulibaly, Kai Havertz, Edouard Mendy, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Christian Pulisic and many more all departing with almost a fresh group of players to begin a new era.
Chelsea’s ill luck with injuries has continued in the new season with new signing Christopher Nkunku becoming the latest to face a long spell on the treatment table. The Frenchman’s knee surgery follows on from the likes of Benoit Badiashile (thigh) and Wesley Fofana (knee) while Trevoh Chalobah and Noni Madueke are doubts as Armando Broja builds up his fitness after an Anterior Cruciate Ligament injury that prematurely ended his season last December.
For the visitors, an overhaul in Klopp’s engine room has seen Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, Naby Keita, James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain leave for new pastures while more young legs are needed to further reinforce the addition of Argentine Alexis Mac Allister and RB Leipzig’s Dominik Szoboszlai.
The opening game will see Liverpool without midfielder Thiago Alcantara who is still recovering from a groin injury that ruled him out of pre-season. Stefan Bajcetic is also facing a fitness test to be available for the game, meaning Mac Allister is set to make his full Premier League debut for the club.
Lineups
New Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson particularly caught the eye in pre-season with his link-up play, dribbling and clinical presence as he notched three goals and two assists in five games. Those impressive showings will make him the starting striker against Liverpool while Mykhailo Mudryk hopes to get a new lease of life under his manager.
Carney Chukwuemeka could fill in for Nkunku with Raheem Sterling completing the attack. Enzo Fernandez will continue his run of starting every competitive game as a Chelsea player and he is likely to be partnered by Conor Gallagher regardless of the potential arrival of new midfielders.
Reece James will be sporting the captain’s armband for the first time at right-back and he is likely to be joined by Thiago Silva, Levi Colwill and Ben Chilwell in defence.
Chelsea: Kepa; James, Silva, Colwill, Chilwell; Fernandez, Gallagher; Sterling, Chukwuemeka, Mudryk; Jackson
Klopp has a good selection headache up front with Mohammed Salah to be joined by any of Diogo Jota, Cody Gakpo, Luis Diaz or Darwin Nunez. Jota and Darwin were full of goals in pre-season and we could yet see Gakpo drop into midfield alongside their two signings.
The defensive unit would contain its usual suspects but there is an argument to be had over picking between Ibrahima Konate and Joel Matip to partner with new captain Virgil van Dijk.
Liverpool: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Szoboszlai, Jones, Mac Allister; Salah, Gakpo, Jota
Prediction
Both clubs have been evenly-matched in recent meetings with their last six games all ending in a draw. Given the sea of changes and the fact none of them are starting the season in perfect shape, you will be hard pressed to pick a clear winner.
Yet, the last four Chelsea-Liverpool fixtures were stalemates but Liverpool's pre-season featured 18 goals scored and ten conceded while Chelsea netted 13 of their own.
Chelsea 2-2 Liverpool
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