Liverpool vs Chelsea preview: team news, kick-off, referee & TV

Liverpool will host Chelsea in the Premier League this Wednesday as the Reds look to deliver a psychological blow to the Blues ahead of next month's Carabao Cup final.

The Reds will face Mauricio Pochettino's side at Wembley Stadium in late February in what will be a third successive domestic cup final against the west London side.

While beating Chelsea would send a warning sign ahead of the final, collecting all three points is far more significant from a Premier League perspective as the Reds continue their title challenge.

A victory would ensure that Jurgen Klopp's side remain five points clear of second regardless of results elsewhere.

Here is your preview of Liverpool vs Chelsea this midweek.

DATE, KICK-OFF, STADIUM, REFEREE AND VAR

• Date: Wednesday, 31 January 2024

• Kick-off time: 20:15 GMT / 15:15 ET / 12:15 PT

• Stadium: Anfield

• Referee: Paul Tierney

• VAR: John Brooks

LIVERPOOL VS CHELSEA HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD

As two of England's biggest clubs, Liverpool and Chelsea have been frequent competitors over the years. In total, they have shared the field on 195 occasions, the Reds winning 84, drawing 46 and losing 65 of past meetings since their first clash in 1907.

Remarkably, Liverpool's last seven meetings with Chelsea have ended in draws, although Liverpool won two of those clashes on penalties in domestic cup finals during the 2021/22 season.

The Reds have lost just two of their previous 15 meetings with the Blues, the most recent a 1-0 defeat at Anfield during a dismal home run in the 2020/21 campaign.

Liverpool clashed with Pochettino's side in the first Premier League game of the season, drawing 1-1 with the London club at Stamford Bridge.

Luis Diaz opened the scoring before Axel Disasi equalised, with Mohamed Salah and Ben Chilwell both seeing goals ruled out for offside. The Reds were unfortunate not to be awarded a second-half penalty in west London that could have won them the match, Nicolas Jackson's handball not given by the on-field referee or VAR.

WHERE TO WATCH LIVERPOOL VS CHELSEA ON TV

In the United Kingdom, Wednesday's encounter will be shown live on TNT Sports and discovery+. The game is available to listen to for free on BBC Radio 5 Live.

In North America, Peacock have the rights in the United States and fuboTV will show the match in Canada.

In Australia, the fixture will be broadcast on Optus Sport.

LIVERPOOL TEAM NEWS

Liverpool were overjoyed to welcome back a host of injured faces on Sunday during their 5-2 victory over Norwich City in the FA Cup, Andy Robertson among those getting minutes.

The Scottish left-back came off the bench for his first appearance since October and was offered a warm embrace by the home crowd.

Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dominik Szoboszlai also returned from the bench for cameos, the latter even registering an assist on his return.

Alexis Mac Allister did miss Sunday's fourth round tie as a precaution, but is expected to be fit for the clash with Chelsea.

Egypt's elimination from the Africa Cup of Nations means that Salah's next game will be in a Liverpool shirt, but the winger will miss out on a reunion with his former club as he continues his rehabilitation.

Joel Matip, Thiago, Stefan Bajcetic, Kostas Tsimikas and Ben Doak are all still sidelined, while Wataru Endo is at the Asian Cup with Japan.

CHELSEA TEAM NEWS

Chelsea have a long, long list of injuries, somewhat unsurprisingly given the sheer size of their squad.

Robert Sanchez is still missing in goal, while Reece James, Wesley Fofana and Marc Cucurella are all absent in defence. Trevoh Chalobah is close to a return but is unlikely to feature against Liverpool, while Malo Gusto should shake off a knock in time for the trip to Anfield.

Lesley Ugochukwu is injured in midfield, as is former Liverpool transfer target Romeo Lavia - the Reds certainly dodged a bullet there given his injuries this season.

Jackson is away with Senegal on international duty, while Christopher Nkunku is expected to be fit for Wednesday despite an injury-hit campaign.

LIVERPOOL PREDICTED LINEUP

The return of some key players against Norwich will undoubtedly give Klopp a selection headache for the clash with Chelsea.

Alexander-Arnold and Szoboszlai could well come into the team down the right side, but given the length of time Robertson spent on the sidelines, the impressive Joe Gomez should get the nod again.

The centre-backs and goalkeeper pick themselves, while Mac Allister could well return to defensive midfield providing he doesn't irritate his injury concern.

Cody Gakpo was the weakest of Liverpool's front line against the Canaries and should be replaced by Diaz.

(4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Gomez; Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Jones; Diaz, Jota, Nunez.

SCORE PREDICTION

Liverpool vs Chelsea is always a gargantuan clash, but the Blues' woes make it difficult to look past a Liverpool win here.

The Reds are unbeaten against the Blues since 2021 and should bring a long run of draws in this fixture to an end on Wednesday. Pochettino's side have been disjointed and hugely inconsistent this season, while they're still missing some key personnel.

While Chelsea have some hugely talented individuals, the return of Alexander-Arnold and Szoboszlai in particular should be a huge boost to Klopp and his side.

Liverpool 2-0 Chelsea