LIVERPOOL will be looking to tighten their grip on top spot in the Premier League with a win against Chelsea at Anfield on Wednesday night.
The Reds started 2024 by seizing the initiative at the summit with a 4-2 victory over Newcastle and they have since breezed past Bournemouth with a 4-0 win last weekend.
After shocking the world with the news that he will be standing down as Liverpool manager at the end of the season, Jurgen Klopp has since watched his side stroll to a 5-2 win over Norwich in the FA Cup on Sunday.
Swiftly turning their attention back to Premier League matters this midweek, Liverpool resume their quest for a quadruple with a home game against Chelsea.
This is now a dress-rehearsal for the Carabao Cup final which will take place next month after the Blues secured their place at the Wembley showpiece with a 6-1 mauling of Middlesbrough last week.
However, Mauricio Pochettino’s ninth-placed side continue to blow hot and cold, most recently playing out a drab 0-0 draw with Aston Villa in the FA Cup at Stamford Bridge last Friday night.
Outright Betting
Despite drawing two of their last three Premier League home games, Liverpool are odds-on 4/7 favourites at Bet 365.
The reverse fixture on the opening day of the season ended all square but a repeat here is an unfancied 7/2 (William Hill) while a Blues victory is as big as 9/2 (UniBet).
Betting Angles
I'm keen to get Liverpool onside on Wednesday night but to bring about a backable price I'll merge a home win and Moisés Caicedo to commit a foul at 10/11 with Bet 365.
Jurgen Klopp's side hit top gear in their aforementioned 4-0 win over Bournemouth, not to mention they also notched four goals when they absolutely dominated Newcastle on New Year's Day.
As such, there are signs that the Reds are beginning to rediscover their swagger and they should prove too hot to handle for a Chelsea side who are the very definition of a work in progress.
The Blues have come away empty handed from four of their last five top-flight road trips, losing to Newcastle, Manchester United, Everton and Wolves, and it would be fair to say that a trip to fortress Anfield will represent a far sterner challenge.
I'll therefore back Liverpool to claim top honours on Wednesday night, but to bolster the odds, I'll also back Chelsea's Moisés Caicedo to commit a minimum of one foul.
The Ecuadorian midfield enforcer is averaging 1.8 fouls per-game in the Premier League this season, tackling his way into trouble in 15 of his 18 appearances to date.
Given the attacking flair that Liverpool possess , I'm also going to take Chelsea's Thiago Silva to commit a foul at 11/10 with PaddyPower.
Whilst the Brazilian stalwart is not exactly a foul magnet, he did give away three free-kicks in the Blues' 1-0 win against Fulham earlier this month, and he was also cautioned against Aston Villa last Friday night.
With all things considered, backing Thiago Silva to get on the wrong side of the referee twice or more on Wednesday night also looks too big to ignore at a whopping 6/1 with PaddyPower.
This English Premier League match between Liverpool and Chelsea will be played on Jan 31, 2024 and kick off at 20:15. Check below for our tipsters best Liverpool vs Chelsea prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
