MatchThe opposition lowdown: Chelsea

Recent form

The Blues are unbeaten in their last five league matches, totalling 11 points in that run.

Most recently in the division, Enzo Maresca’s side were 1-0 winners at home to Everton. They currently sit fifth in the table amid the congested battle for European qualification positions.

Overall, they have 60 points from 34 matches.

On Thursday night, Chelsea played the first leg of their UEFA Conference League semi-final away at Djurgarden and prevailed 4-1.

Key players

Cole Palmer is Chelsea’s leading scorer in the Premier League so far this season with 14 strikes, while Nicolas Jackson has also reached double figures on 10.

Noni Madueke has contributed seven goals.

Palmer is also his team’s chief creator in the top flight with eight assists, one better than Enzo Fernandez (seven), with Jackson third-best on five.

Only Reds captain Virgil van Dijk and Arsenal’s William Saliba have played more passes than the Blues’ Levi Colwill in the Premier League this season.

Previous meetings

When the sides clashed in the reverse fixture at Anfield last October, the hosts emerged 2-1 winners.

Mohamed Salah’s penalty handed Liverpool a first-half lead and Jackson’s effort soon after the break had Chelsea level only temporarily, with Curtis Jones’ finish three minutes later securing the three points.

The last time the teams faced each other at Stamford Bridge was way back on the opening day of the 2023-24 season. Luis Diaz’s goal was cancelled out by Axel Disasi in a 1-1 draw.

Team news

Chelsea are assessing the fitness of both Christopher Nkunku and Robert Sanchez, neither of whom travelled for the meeting with Djurgarden.

Aaron Anselmino and Marc Guiu are the only confirmed absentees for Maresca.

What they said

Chelsea head coach Maresca

“It’s always nice to play in this kind of game, but I don’t think they [Liverpool] will be any different or relaxed because they have already won the title. They are a very good team and deserved to win the Premier League this season. The gap is there, you can see clearly. My feeling is we are in the right direction and hopefully this gap can be smaller and closer next season.

“Perhaps the difference [between the sides] is that they have probably been a lot more consistent compared to us over the entire season. For parts of the season we were very good. Then we lost some games and this is the main reason why. Liverpool did not lose many games in these periods. Also, in terms of experienced players who know how to win games and these kind of things, they have something more compared to us.”

• Full pre-match team news here

Pre-match stats

• Chelsea have picked up 17 points in their last eight Premier League matches, having taken nine points from their previous 10 games.
• Only three players have created more chances in the division this season than the Blues’ Fernandez (73).
• At Stamford Bridge, Chelsea have lost just one of their last 26 games played during May (15 wins, 10 draws).
• Only Liverpool (136) have created more Opta-defined big chances in the Premier League this season so far than Chelsea (108).