The Premier League is never short of action and it is set to start the New Year with two of the biggest teams going head-to-head. As title contenders and former Champions League winners, we have two decisive teams in Chelsea and Liverpool managed by two managers who stop at nothing. 

So who will win and what has changed since their last meeting in August? Well, let’s read a detailed preview and find out. 

Matchday 21 of 38

While the New Year for the Premier League officially kicked off with Arsenal vs Manchester City, we have got more to come in the form of Chelsea vs Liverpool. And what a clash it is going to be because both teams have suffered Covid-19 cases and look to get back to their title-winning ways. However, the clash is not going to be an easy one for either of the teams as both managers will be assessing the situation in order to find ways to make it difficult for the opponent.

While both can end up with even scores, only one can win the league and if either of these teams wants to compete against Manchester City, they need to keep adding three points to their scoresheet. 

Date and Venue

Chelsea vs Liverpool is going to take place on the 2nd of January 2022 at Stamford Bridge. 

Chelsea vs Liverpool: Analysis & Stats

The Title Charge

One of the biggest concerns for both Chelsea and Liverpool will be the huge point gap between them and Manchester City. While the league was initially classified as a three-way title race, City has managed to call it their own with early wins over the top teams in the league. However, Liverpool has a game in hand and can always look to bounce back towards the title charge. 

But in order to do so, they will have to stop Chelsea from dominating any part of the game when they travel to Stamford Bridge. While Chelsea has not been the dominant self that they were last season, they have the resources and the mind of Tuchel to stop the Reds from running away with three points.

Attack & Defend

Be it Klopp’s heavy metal brand of football or Tuchel’s tactical and flexible approach, if either of these plans needs to work out, you need to defend and attack. And to top that list, both teams will be equipped with their best in all these positions. The Blues who missed Romelu Lukaku will be delighted to know that he’s back and the Reds will also be aware of the fact that their attackers will be a part of the Chelsea clash before losing them out to the African Cup of Nations (AFCON).

With a few creative playmakers also being a part of Tuchel’s plans and the strong defence that Liverpool can set up with Virgil Van Dijk, both teams look set to give it their best shot with their best players. Due to that, if we are going to see any one of these teams win, it will have to be through mistakes. 

Both Chelsea and Liverpool can be a little sloppy in a few areas on the field and that will end up being a major cause for concern for Tuchel and Klopp. The two managers have had a lot to deal with this past month and a fixture of this sort is only going to add up to the pressure.

Individual Battles

One of the major highlights of big clashes will be individual battles that take place on the field. While heated moments are bound to appear, we are talking about battles involving strikers and defenders. And what better than a Romelu Lukaku vs Virgil Van Dijk battle. Both these prolific players have got all that it takes to get the job and could always be ready to take things to a whole new level. 

While Lukaku might require some more time to get back to his original self, Van Dijk should be fit and ready just like how he has been this season. However, unexpected results and situations are a part of playing in the best league in the world. Hence, be ready to expect anything. 

Thomas Tuchel vs Jurgen Klopp : Head-to-Head

A clash between two of the most famous German coaches will always be filled with tactics, analysis and whatnot. Their minds are always thinking and since they have met each other in the past, they do know how they like to play teams and what formation they set themselves with. However, Klopp has the better record of the two and has won nearly 9 games when compared to Tuchel’s 3. 

Chelsea vs Liverpool: Head-to-Head

Teams with the best resources rarely disappoint and we have never got a fixture of that sort when Chelsea met Liverpool. They are both capable of hurting each other and can always look back to get into the title race. Out of the 59 games that have been played by each other, only 15 have ended in draws with Liverpool leading the race with a few more wins.

Liverpool’s away record could be seen as a slight worry for Chelsea, although Tuchel will be ready to ensure that it does not happen again. 

Chelsea vs Liverpool: Recent Meetings

a. Liverpool vs Chelsea - 1-1 (28th August 2021)

The last time Chelsea visited Anfield, they were down to 10 men, upon which they began parking the bus. Due to this, the Reds couldn’t score again and the game ended as a draw. 

b. Liverpool vs Chelsea - 0-1 (4th March 2021)

The Reds of the 2020-21 season of the Premier League were far from being the title contenders that they were and games such as these at Anfield reflected that fact. 

c. Chelsea vs Liverpool - 0-2 (20th September 2020)

There are plenty of weekends to forget in the Premier League and for Chelsea, this fixture might be it. Losing to their bitter rivals at home should have turned things around.