Currently the Blues is in the 2nd in the league after dropping their first points of the season in last weekend’s 3-1 loss to Wigan. Chelsea will be without goalkeeper Petr Cech for the match through suspension, after the Czech international was sent off in last weekend’s loss. However Didier Drogba, who was suspended for the match against APOEL Nicosia, will return for this crucial clash against Liverpool. Michael Ballack should return for the Blues after recovering from a calf injury that kept him sidelined against Wigan.
These games are never without controversy though, which makes them all the more difficult to predict and whilst Benitez seems happy to focus on their double over Chelsea last season, unsurprisingly, he conveniently forgets who put them out of last year's Champions League. Another thing that makes this game difficult to work out is both our recent performances, because whilst Liverpool looked to be scoring goals for fun in the league last week, in the Champions League they were disaster. And after our defeat to Wigan last weekend, a mid-week struggle against Apoel Nicosia wasn't exactly an inspiring performance in the build up for this either.
Liverpool will hope to have midfielder Javier Mascherano after the hamstring ruled him out of midweek. Fabio Aurelio will be sent to the bench if Mascherano returns. Martin Skrtel and Jamie Carragher will keep their places although Daniel Agger is closing on full fitness following a back injury. Fernando Torres and Steven Gerard was kept quiet against Florentina so they will want to silence their critcis here.

Referee: Martin Atkinson

Enjoy the match... !!!!