'If everyone is fit...': Alan Shearer predicts Liverpool v Chelsea and highlights 'key battle' at Anfield
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Predicting the result of any Premier League game is a hard one and picking a winner out of two big clubs like Liverpool and Chelsea can be even harder sometimes but that’s what Alan Shearer has tried to do ahead of the weekend.
The Reds go into the clash with Enzo Maresca’s side in fine form and very much keeping pace with the likes of Man City and Arsenal at the summit.
However, with Chelsea the start of what could be a tough run of fixtures for Liverpool, Arne Slot knows that performances and results are going to come under the microscope now.
Of course, Liverpool will always fancy their chances at Anfield and with the likes of Mo Salah and Luis Diaz playing well, there’s a big chance to win.
However, while those forward players are key, Alan Shearer has suggested it’s another battle which could be crucial for the Reds.
Alan Shearer predicts Liverpool v Chelsea with midfield ‘key’
Giving his predictions for the weekend’s results via The Metro, Shearer had his say on the Liverpool and Chelsea clash.
And in just edging towards the Reds, Shearer has suggested the midfield could win the day for Liverpool.
“Chelsea will be happy to walk away from Anfield with a point, despite the injury to Alisson. I know they dropped points in their last home game vs Forest, but I would imagine Enzo Maresca would snap your hands off for a point here,” Shearer said.
“The key battle will be in midfield, where I think Liverpool have been strong. Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister have been superb, alongside Dominik Szoboszlai.
“The international break always makes it a little bit tougher to call, as you wait to see how players are when the return to their clubs, whether they're ready or not to start the game.
“If everyone is fit and everyone plays, that midfield battle will be key, and I think Liverpool will come out on top.”
Liverpool can win if on song
There’s no doubt Liverpool go into this game as favourites and rightly so.
However, they must be wary of a Chelsea side who are doing well under Maresca and if they are off it a bit, the likes of Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku could punish Liverpool.
Still, if Arne Slot gets it right and his team put in a performance that’s around the seven or eight out of ten mark, then Liverpool get the job done here.
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As Shearer says, midfield could be key and the likes of Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo can still be found wanting at times.
Liverpool, then, can be confident they can do the business here.
