Martin: It's time to reward your support
His overriding memories of Liverpool's last meeting with Chelsea may be ones to forget but there was an aspect of their clash in April that Martin Skrtel holds onto firmly – the support of the fans at Anfield.
When Jose Mourinho's team travelled to Merseyside seven months ago, the Reds had been victorious in each of their previous 11 Barclays Premier League games and were on the verge of a long-awaited championship triumph.
Kopites lined the streets around the stadium for hours before kick-off, then whipped up a cauldron of sound once inside the ground, willing on their heroes to leap the remaining hurdles required to lift the title.
Ultimately, Chelsea spoiled the occasion, claiming a 2-0 result through late strikes in either half by Demba Ba and Willian. Advantage in the race for silverware was handed to Manchester City, who would not relinquish control.
Recalling that day is uncomfortable for Skrtel, having come so tantalisingly close to glory, but as he prepares to face the London outfit again, the powerful centre-back is hoping for a repeat of the ferocious backing he and his teammates had that day.
Briefly pausing preparations for the lunchtime contest to speak to Liverpoolfc.com at Melwood, he said: "The fans are great. Last season was unbelievable, I have never seen anything like the support we received.
"The fans play a big role for us. I hope it's going to be the same on Saturday. The support we are getting is great, we just need to show better performances.
"Before that Chelsea game [in 2013-14], we were leading [the league] and all we needed was not to lose that game. But, unfortunately, we lost it and let City get into first place. They stayed there until the end of the season and we lost the title.
"We'll do our best to beat them and get three points - that's the most important thing for us at the moment.
"It will be a different game. It's a big game and we're looking forward to it. It's going to be about fight, attitude and spirit - that will be what we have to show on the pitch. I hope this time it's going to be better for us.
"We want to get a result because we drew against Hull and lost against Newcastle, so it's time to get results and get the points. Chelsea are doing well this season, they haven't lost in the league, and it's going to be a tough game. But we'll all try our best to get three points. I believe and hope we can."
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A significant part of Skrtel's duties on Saturday will be to contain the threat of Chelsea striker Diego Costa, a menace to defences who has wasted little time in racking up nine Premier League goals since arriving in the summer.
The Reds' defender can draw on experience in the one-on-one tussle, having helped his country secure an historic 2-1 result against Costa's Spain in a European Championship qualifier early last month.
Asked if he is anticipating another opportunity to test himself, Skrtel reflected: "This is a big game and every single player likes to play in these and compare against the best players in the world.
"In my eyes, Diego Costa is one of the best strikers in the world. I played against him in a game for Slovakia against Spain; he didn't score and I hope he won't score at the weekend as well.
"But it's not only about Costa, Chelsea play well as a team and will be a very tough opponent. But we believe we can beat them and get three points."