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Liverpool will start their 2023/24 Premier League season against Chelsea this weekend after an eventful and successful pre-season campaign. The Reds scored 18 goals and conceded 11 in their five pre-season games, showcasing their attacking prowess. The squad is eager to make up for a disappointing 2022/23 season where they missed out on the Champions League and ended trophyless.
Liverpool has a historic rivalry with Chelsea, having faced each other 194 times. The Reds have come out on top in 84 games, with 45 draws and 65 losses. In recent years, the games between the two clubs have had fewer goals, with the last six meetings resulting in draws and the last four being goalless. However, Liverpool has found success against Chelsea in Cup competitions, lifting the FA Cup and League Cup in two of those fixtures.
Thiago Alcantara and Stefan Bajcetic did not feature in any pre-season game due to injuries. It remains uncertain if they will be fit for the Chelsea game, but if they are, they are likely to be on the bench as options to bring on. Liverpool is also in talks with Southampton for the signing of Romeo Lavia, but it is unlikely he will be able to feature in the game due to completing medical and paperwork requirements.
Chelsea has suffered some injury setbacks, with Christopher Nkunku being sidelined for several months and defensive players Wesley Fofana, Benoit Badiashile, and Trevoh Chalobah also out. Liverpool target Levi Colwill is expected to start in defense, while the availability of new signing Alex Disasi remains uncertain. Forwards Noni Madueke and Mykhailo Mudryk have been building their fitness and could play some part in the game.
Liverpool‘s predicted lineup for the game is Alisson Becker in goal, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk, and Andy Robertson in defense, Curtis Jones, Alexis Mac Allister, and Dominik Szoboszlai in midfield, and Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo, and Luis Diaz in attack.
Given the recent history of low-scoring games between the two teams, a 0-0 draw would not be surprising. However, with Liverpool‘s attacking strength and their new system, it is predicted that they will come out on top with a scoreline of 3-2.
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