Gary Neville has just paid Anfield the ULTIMATE compliment

Liverpool will welcome Chelsea to Anfield for their first Premier League game after the international break on October 20.

Both teams changed head coaches over summer with all-time Liverpool great Jurgen Klopp departing after nearly nine years in charge while Enzo Maresca came into Stamford Bridge in place of Mauricio Pochettino.

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Arne Slot was the man selected to replace Klopp and the Dutchman has made a record-breaking start to life in the Liverpool hotseat.

Maresca, meanwhile, is faring better than a lot of people might have expected with the Blues sitting in fourth place despite another huge turnover of players in the summer.

Neville says Anfield 'toughest place to go'

Chelsea will be without Marc Cucurella and Wesley Fofana for the Anfield showdown, which will go a long way towards determining how well both sides are equipped to deal with the rigours of a Premier League title challenge.

Gary Neville believes Liverpool have a major advantage heading into the tie, with the ex-Manchester United defender describing Anfield as 'the toughest place to go' and a ground where players can get 'bullied'.

Neville endured many torrid afternoons on Merseyside, becoming the villain in the eyes of many Liverpool supporters, but it's clear the Sky Sports pundit has been left with a deep respect for the hallowed turf of Anfield.

Speaking to NBC Sports in his role as pundit for the American broadcaster over the weekend, Neville remarked that how well Chelsea playmaker Cole Palmer handled the occasion would play a crucial role.

Replying to host Rebecca Lowe, who asked him to delve into what would be the factors in determining the outcome, Neville said: "Just how Chelsea handle Anfield. Obviously it's another big game for Arne Slot, so again, a further test for Liverpool coming off the back of the internationals.

"I always remember when I went to Anfield, I think it's the toughest place to go. And I think for a Chelsea team under Maresca, it's a real challenge for them. And it will be interesting to see how they fare in that."

Neville backs Anfield atmosphere

Anfield has been criticised at times for a lack of atmosphere but Neville was content to dispel those myths, claiming the home crowd still retain a massive influence.

"I always think that Anfield is the toughest place to get space," he said.

"And you think about how Cole Palmer plays, and the way he always looks like he's got time on the ball, it'll be interesting to see how he does at Anfield and how Liverpool will attend to him.

"Be really aggressive against him and test him. They won't want to let him have any joy in the game and encouragement early on.

"And Anfield can be a place where you can get bullied a little bit, off the crowd, the atmosphere. And it'll be a test for them.