Matchweek 7 finds Liverpool in two minds. In the foreground, the Premier League’s defending champs are once again on top of the table, opening their season with 15 points in six tries. But the Reds are also coming off back-to-back frustrating losses — 2-1 to Crystal Palace on a last-minute stunner, then 1-0 to Galatasaray in Champions League play. Even worse, goalkeeper Alisson just suffered a hamstring injury and will miss some time.
Up next for Arne Slot’s side is a road test against Chelsea. Liverpool hasn’t won at Stamford Bridge since September 2020. The big-spending Blues have fallen to eighth in the EPL standings, and their disappointing start would get a slight refresh with a statement on Saturday.
How to watch Chelsea vs. Liverpool in the U.S.
- Venue: Stamford Bridge — London
- Time: Saturday, 12:30 p.m. ET
- TV (U.S.): NBC and Universo
- Streaming: Fubo (Stream Free Now)
Enzo Maresca and Chelsea are having a rough go of it. They were winless in September across three EPL matches — a draw at Brentford, losses to Manchester United and Brighton. It’s a waking nightmare in Old Trafford, but even United got right at Chelsea’s expense (in the rain, 10-on-10, that was a weird one). Chelsea’s attack, paced by Enzo Fernández and João Pedro, is tied for fourth with 11 goals scored. The problems have been on the other end, with eight goals allowed (six on Robert Sánchez, two on Filip Jørgensen).
The Blues did beat Benfica 1-0 on Tuesday. That Champions League match served as a Stamford Bridge homecoming for longtime former manager José Mourinho.
Liverpool comes in on the heels of its first EPL defeat, delivered by Eddie Nketiah in the 97th minute. The Reds carry a one-point lead over AFC Bournemouth, which topped Fulham on Friday. Hugo Ekitike leads the club with three goals; Mohamed Salah, Ryan Gravenberch and Federico Chiesa have each scored twice.
With Allison out, Giorgi Mamardashvili is in line for his first career Premier League start.
In-depth coverage from The Athletic
Simon Johnson on the Blues’ UCL depth issues:
“Tyrique George has suddenly become Chelsea’s first-choice option to play up front in the Champions League. Many people will be asking why. George played the first hour of Chelsea’s win against Jose Mourinho’s Benfica side on Tuesday night. His statistics were underwhelming, as illustrated in his player dashboard. He had just one shot and 15 touches during his time on the pitch …
It is remarkable to see Chelsea, who have spent well over £1billion ($1.35bn) on signings over the last three years, in this position. Chelsea obviously want to do well in the tournament but currently find themselves relying on a player who cost them nothing to lead their attack. So how come? Well, this certainly wasn’t planned and obviously they intend for it to be brief. Bad fortune has been a major factor.”
Thom Harris on Chelsea’s youth and priorities:
“It has been more than 30 years since the legendary Liverpool centre-back turned pundit Alan Hansen uttered six words that continue to resonate with football fans today. And though the Scotsman’s claim — ‘you can’t win anything with kids’ — has been repeatedly challenged in the seasons since, the idea that competitive sides require a healthy balance of youth and proven experience continues to hold weight when it comes to building Premier League squads.
Chelsea have not stuck to that line of thinking since the Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital consortium took over the club in 2022. There has been more than £1.5billion ($2bn) of investment into the squad in transfer fees alone, with 36 of the 48 permanent signings made aged 23 or below since the deal was struck. It means the potential at Enzo Maresca’s disposal is frightening, but there have already been games this season in which his side have looked a little overawed and undercooked for the gruelling schedule to come.”
Andy Jones and Sebastian Stafford-Bloor on Liverpool’s star transfer shortcomings:
“There is a noise growing around Florian Wirtz. Liverpool’s £116 million ($156m at the current rate) summer signing has not hit the ground running in the way their supporters will have hoped and after starting in successive defeats to Crystal Palace and Galatasaray over the past six days, questions are being asked …
To an extent, Wirtz is a victim of his own price tag — players signing for what was, at the time, a British record fee are expected to produce immediately, even if they are young (he was still 21 in May) and moving to another country and adapting to a new team and league. Wirtz himself said he was unconcerned about the fee he cost, but while his slow start was not a point of discussion when Liverpool won their first five games of the season — albeit not always convincingly — with him in the starting line-up, during these two recent defeats he has inevitably come under scrutiny.”
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(Photo of Mohamed Salah: George Wood / Getty Images)