Our prediction for this Premier League match:
Liverpool
Match Time & Date:
31/01/2024
20:15
Prediction: 2-1
Chelsea
Anfield will be the centre of attention when Liverpool and Chelsea go head to head in the Premier League derby on Matchday 22. The Reds aim to build on a 5-2 FA Cup win over Norwich City and they are likely to adopt yet another attack-minted approach against Mauro Pochettino’s troops. Virgil van Dijk is widely expected to return to the starting XI as well as fellow defender Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold, while Mohamed Salah remains in the recovery room. Wataru Endo is still on international duty with Japan.
The Blues, on the other hand, played out a goalless draw with Aston Villa at the weekend. Chelsea aim to move closer to the Europa League berth, but given Liverpool’s three-game winning run in the Premier League, home victory should be considered. Nicolas Jackson is representing Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations, while all Christopher Nkunku, Marc Cucurella, Reece James, Trevoh Chalobah, and Robert Sanchez remain in the recovery room.
Highlighted Player (Thiago Silva):
Brazilian defender Thiago Silva is one of the highest rated defenders in world football. Having emerged from Fluminense youth ranks, the 31-year-old defender established himself as a world-class performer while plying his trade for AC Milan from 2009 to 2012.
Having largely contributed to Rossonerri’s title winning campaign in 2010-11, Thiago Silva moved to Paris Saint-Germain together with Zlatan Ibrahimovic for a reported fee worth €42 million, which made him then second-most expensive defender in football history after Rio Ferdinand.
Silva was an immediate success at the French club, helping Les Parisiens win four consecutive Ligue 1 titles in the process. Heavily linked with a move away from Parc des Princes, fan favourite Thiago Silva remains a key figure at Paris Saint-Germain and a leader of the new wave under head coach Unai Emery. Having already surpassed the 100-game mark for the French giants, Thiago Silva is slowly writing his name in the history books of Paris Saint-Germain.
Highlighted Team (Liverpool):
Founded back in 1892, Liverpool are one of England’s and world’s most famous clubs. The Reds hold a high-profile rivalry with Everton and there have always been fireworks when the two teams take on each other in the Merseyside derby.
The Reds welcome their opponents at Anfield and it has to be noted that they have already won 18 first division trophies. Liverpool were on the verge of lifting the 2014/2015 Premier League trophy, but Steven Gerrard slipped in the decider against Chelsea and left the Reds without a title.
Liverpool won one of their last Champions League trophy's in 2005, with the team coming from three goals behind to beat Milan in a historic clash in Istanbul. The Reds have clinched six European Cups and it is no surprise they are regarded as one of the greatest European clubs.
The likes of Steven Gerrard, Robbie Fowler, Paul Ince, Ian Rush, Graeme Souness, Sami Hyypia and Luis Suarez are some of the most notable footballers to have represented the club over the years. The club’s anthem is You’ll Never Walk Alone and their shirt colour is red.
Fluminense
