17 October 2024
Liverpool face a Chelsea side at full tilt, says Robert Marawa
- Premier League Pick of the week: Liverpool v Chelsea
- Kick-off: 17:30
- Venue: Anfield
- Live on Showmax Premier League

We are back with Premier League football, and it’s an exciting weekend for me, simply because my team Liverpool are back playing against Chelsea. I think what really makes this scenario stand out is the fact that Liverpool against all odds , against the life after Jürgen Klopp, have shown that Arne Slot has been able to manage this Liverpool side ,managed the regularity as far as scoring goals is concerned, and managed their frequency in terms of how well they’ve been able to defend. This weekend they are up against a Chelsea side, under Enzo Maresca , who have shown that they are a far better side than in recent years. This is a very simple match where you got number one playing against number four . There are four points that separate these two sides. Slot has quickly brought about his game and has ensured that Liverpool lead this pack after just seven games.
I’m also happy to see the back of the international break. I have been so unhappy with how the African teams have treated and not treated each other. But back to the game, Liverpool are hosting arguably one of the better sides in the Premier League this season as we welcome back club football. So, Enzo Maresca: what has he done right? Just like Arne Slot he’s equally turned Chelsea into a highly enterprising side. The Blues will, however, be without two suspended players in Wesley Fofana and Marc Cucurella. Both of these defenders have started every single Premier League game so far this season. So Enzo will have to make forced changes, not changes he would have wanted to make.

Then you look at a guy like Nicolas Jackson. Although he has struck the right notes this season, it will be very difficult for Enzo to overlook what Christopher Nkunku has been able to do. Nkunku could see his name in starting 11 , having already scored eight goals for both club and country. Can he take that form to Liverpool? He is no stranger to scoring against Liverpool at Anfield, and so can he once again do the job?
If you have noticed my brief for this weekend’s game, I’ve focused on the away team, more than the home team and I’ve done that deliberately. Liverpool will bring what Liverpool has brought in the last seven games of this season. I do not expect too many changes or any surprises. For me it’s about how Chelsea adjust and how Liverpool manage a Chelsea team that comes at full tilt. It Is an exciting weekend of football to look forward to. I’m not going to guess who is going to win, I’ll leave that to you.
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