Venue: Anfield Date: Sunday, 1 February Kick-off: 1600 GMT

Both of these sides got off to great starts but both in recent weeks have looked distinctly average. Since Rafa Benitez ranted about Ferguson (all of which was 100% true by the way), Liverpool have not been great and have lost top spot to the Man Utd. Chelsea on the other hand have been embarrassed by Man Utd, the whole team has been dreadful in recent weeks and the team has once again become overly reliant on Lampard for inspiration. However Chelsea midweek over took Liverpool in league to take second with Liverpool slipping behind to third. Both will desperately want to win to not fall further behind Man Utd.

Home Team News

Riera, Kuyt and Alonso were all rested midweek and are likely to come back into the starting line up on Sunday. Robbie Keane has been hardly used in recent weeks by Benitez is unlikely to make the starting line-up. Liverpool have the majority of their first team squad available for selection and I expect this to be their line up:

Reina

Arbeloa Skrtel Carragher Aurelio

Mascherano Alonso

Kuyt Gerrard Riera

Torres

Battles on the pitch

Cech v Reina

These are arguably the two best keepers in the Premier League and both have won matches for their respective teams. In these matches few clear cut chances present themselves and so one great save/mistake is likely to decide this match.

Mikel v Gerrard/Mascherano v Lampard

At Stamford Bridge Mascherano marked Lampard off the pitch and Mikel kept Gerrard extremely quiet. Both Lampard and Gerrard are the main creative influences of their respective teams and if given space have the potential to change matches. So a lot rests on the shoulders on the young DMs in Mikel and Mascherano in keeping their opponents quiet.

Away team news

Chelsea still are without Joe Cole and Essien and Ricardo Carvalho recently picked up a hamstring injury. John Terry returned from a back strain against Middlesbrough and Salomon Kalou is likely to be fit following a slight knock against Middlesbrough. It is likely that the main question will be whether Anelka and Drogba will be paired up front without each other. I think the Chelsea team will be

Cech

Bosingwa Alex Terry Cole

Mikel

Ballack Lampard

Deco Kalou

Anelka

Score prediction: 1-1

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