Manchester City’s Yaya Toure in action
Chelsea are the other team who will be satisfied with nothing less than three points in the second and final Super Sunday match. The Blues travel to Anfield to face a Liverpool side who in recent weeks have fallen out of contention for a Champions League spot. *Please note this article has been written before midweek Premier League matches have been played.
Liverpool have endured an up-and-down season under new manager Brendan Rodgers. The Reds are eight points off a Champions League place and five points behind neighbours Everton. They are also in danger of missing out on Europa qualification, but Rodgers insists that may be a blessing for his side. “It is a double-edged sword for us,” said Rodgers. “The players and supporters want to be in Europe and as a manager it is a great test and I have really enjoyed the Europa League this year. But you could argue having one season out of Europe would give us an even greater chance of challenging for the top four next season. We will see where it takes us. We will finish as high as we possibly can but if Europe doesn’t end up for us then it might be a blessing for us next year.” That push for Europe looks unlikely with just five games remaining after their disappointing goalless draw at relegation-bound Reading last Saturday. Former Reading player and boss Brendan Rodgers was making only his third return to the club with an opposition side and his first with a top-flight outfit. And he would have been frustrated by the finishing of Luis Suarez, Phillipe Coutinho, Steven Gerrard and Daniel Sturridge who were all out-performed by goalkeeper Alex McCarthy who was making his first performance in five months.
The Blues will attempt to regroup from their FA Cup exit and strengthen their chances for a top-four finish with their remaining league games. Chelsea are part of a four-way fight for the final two Champions League spots along with Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Everton. Rafa Benitez’s team are one point behind Arsenal for third, ahead of Tottenham on goal difference and three points clear of Everton with seven matches remaining. The 2011/2012 UEFA Champions League winners were knocked out in the group stages of this seasons competition, and while they have reached the semi-finals of the Europa League, their chances of lifting the FA Cup were dashed with a 2-1 defeat on Sunday to Manchester City at Wembley Stadium. Demba Ba scored in the 66th minute to try and ignite a late rally, but Chelsea failed to find the equaliser despite late pressure following the insertion of Fernando Torres. Reversing their poor road form would be key in nailing down a return to the lucrative Champions League. Chelsea have lost three consecutive matches outside Stamford Bridge in the league and are winless in four overall, conceding nine goals in those matches. Getting Torres to replicate his goal-scoring prowess in league play would also go a long way. Seventeen of the Spaniard’s 24 goals across all competitions this year have been in non-domestic competition, and his last Premier League goal came December 23 against Aston Villa. Left-back Ashley Cole is nearing a return from his hamstring injury, and is likely to start here.
Liverpool managed a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge in the reverse fixture and won 4-1 at Anfield last season. They also won 2-0 at home the season prior. Liverpool come to the fore in most big matches and with Chelsea’s poor away form, the Reds are tipped to get the win here.
