Liverpool vs Chelsea LIVE: Premier League team news, line-ups ...

Jurgen Klopp spoke in his pre-match press conference about what he is expecting from tonight’s match and how he believes that Chelsea have improved since the start of the season.

“Of course, they play really good stuff. It’s a really good team,” said the Liverpool boss, “[They have] an outstanding manager obviously and nobody was ever [in] doubt about that.

“So, I’m not 100 per cent sure, but I think it’s a team in form points-wise [and] won the majority of their games recently. We played them on the first matchday, obviously there we were not great that day and they were pretty good and we got a draw, which was fine for us that day.

“We were not over the moon with our performance but the point was alright. So, we have to do better but we are different as well since then and that’s the good news.”

Chelsea’s Raheem Sterling returns to Liverpool this evening and will be hoping to pull one over his old club as the Blues look to improve their position in the the Premier League.

Mauricio Pochettino was full of praise for the forward and claims that Sterling is performing really well this season.

“It’s always difficult to be at the top, as one of the best offensive players in the Premier League,” said Pochettino. “He deserves full credit, he’s really professional and I think this season he’s doing really well for us.

“Now he’s improving in his physical condition. When we arrived he struggled a little bit in some points but now he’s improving a lot and he’s doing really well. We are so happy with him in the way that he’s performing. He’s helping the team to perform and to win games.

“Maybe he’s one of the most consistent players, but I don’t want to jinx it. He’s consistent and he’s always available which is a very good thing for us.”

As Jurgen Klopp’s long goodbye begins, many of Liverpool’s rivals have wasted no time in trying to take advantage. Overtures have been made to representatives of key players. Some prospective employers have even tried to sound out Klopp himself.

Wednesday’s opponents, Chelsea, would be able to tell them about that but there could well be other lessons from the London club’s recent history. Much of it, admittedly, might be about what not to do with prospective coaches.

Chelsea have seemingly turned a positive corner under Mauricio Pochettino who is starting to implant his methodology on the team. They’re positive, quick and unafraid to take the attack to the opposition.

That said, the Blues haven’t beaten a top side since, arguably, Tottenham in November so it will a difficult test against a high flying Liverpool away from home.

The Reds will want to perform for departing manager Jurgen Klopp and, in front of their home support, should have enough quality to sweep Chelsea aside.

Liverpool 3-1 Chelsea

Liverpool were boosted by the return to action of both Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson in their FA Cup win against Nortwich, and the pair could contend to start here. Alexis Mac Allister should also be fit to feature after being rested in that game, but Mohamed Salah remains absent even after Egypt’s Afcon exit due to a hamstring injury.

Levi Colwill is a doubt for Chelsea after missing training on Monday having reported tightness in his hamstring ahead of the FA Cup game against Aston Villa. Ben Chilwell may well make a first Premier League start since September at left-back, while Christopher Nkunku and Trevoh Chalobah could make the bench.

Predicted line-ups

Liverpool XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Gomez; Jones, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Diaz, Nunez, Jota.

Chelsea XI: Petrovic; Disasi, Silva, Badiashile, Chilwell; Caicedo, Fernandez, Gallagher; Palmer, Broja, Sterling.

Liverpool vs Chelsea is due to kick off at 8.15pm GMT on Wednesday 31 January at Anfield.

Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on TNT Sports 1, with coverage on the channel from 7pm GMT. Subscribers can stream the action via discovery+.

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Good evening and welcome to The Independent’s coverage of tonight’s Premier League action as Liverpool host Chelsea.

Tonight’s encounter is the first league match at Anfield since Jurgen Klopp announced that he would be leaving his position as manager at the end of the season and the atmosphere will certainly be one of celebration for the German.

Liverpool are hoping to extend their lead at the top of the table while Chelsea look to continue their recent form and secure a victory against the league leaders.

We’ll have all the action, team news and latest updates throughout the evening so stick with us as we build up to kick off at 8.15pm.