Liverpool are set to face Chelsea on Wednesday, 31 January in a match between two of the Premier League's oldest and fiercest rivals. It will be Liverpool's first home Premier League match since Jurgen Klopp announced he will be leaving the club in the summer which only adds to the emotion of the occasion but who has the better record in recent time?
The Liverpool v Chelsea last five H2Hs indicate that a draw is the most likely outcome – a result Chelsea would be more than happy with on this occasion.
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Liverpool v Chelsea H2H record
The Liverpool vs Chelsea rivalry has always been a feisty one but things were ramped up a notch or two during the 2000s, when the two clubs kept getting drawn to play each other in big European matches. Jose Mourinho and Rafa Benitez had a severe dislike for one and other and their respective sides participated in some barnstorming matches.
For instance, who could ever forget the “ghost goal” semi-final in 2005? Had there been goalline technology 19 years ago, it might well have been John Terry lifting the cup surrounded by blue confetti – rather than Gerrard and co drenched in red – on that unforgettable Istanbul night.
Whatever the ifs and buts, however, Liverpool certainly have more than an edge over the Blues:
- Liverpool Wins: 84
- Draws: 46
- Chelsea Wins: 65
Liverpool and Chelsea have also faced off in some big cup finals over the years, and they have another one to look forward to next month when they meet in the Carabao Cup final. Two years ago they played against each other in both domestic cup finals with both matches going all the way to penalty shootouts.
Memorably, Liverpool won both ties, so Chelsea will be out for revenge next month when they meet again at Wembley.
Liverpool v Chelsea last five H2Hs
Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool (Liverpool won on pens) – 27th February 2022
Chelsea and Liverpool met in the Carabao Cup final in 2022 with the Reds looking to complete the first part of a potential quadruple. The match itself wasn't necessarily a drab 0-0, with Chelsea having several goals ruled out for offside by late flags and VAR. Liverpool weren't at their best but managed to drag the match to a penalty shootout. After 21 perfect penalties in the shootout, Kepa Arrizabalaga missed for the Blues to hand Liverpool the trophy.
Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool (Liverpool won on pens) – 14th May 2022
Three months later, Chelsea played Liverpool at Wembley Stadium again – this time in the FA Cup final. This match wasn't as engrossing as the Carabao Cup match with both teams looking leggy after a long season. Liverpool were perhaps slightly the better team but it was a match that seemed destined for a shootout from the first minute. On this occasion, the shootout didn't last as long, with Kostas Tsimikas scoring the winning spot kick for the Reds after seven penalties each.
Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea – 21st January 2023
Liverpool and Chelsea had to wait until January 2023 to meet in the Premier League during the 22/23 season due to the Qatar World Cup occurring midway through the season. Both teams were void of confidence coming into this one, as they both languished in midtable after disappointing campaigns. Chelsea thought they'd taken an early lead through Kai Havertz, but VAR ruled it out and there wasn't much excitement after that.
Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool – 4th April 2023
The fourth consecutive Chelsea vs Liverpool 0-0 took place in April 2023 when Liverpool visited Stamford Bridge in the midst of a late charge for the top four. It was Chelsea's first match since dismissing Graham Potter as manager, and the Blues looked half-decent for large parts of the game, but Liverpool managed to keep them out. The result left Liverpool seven points adrift of Tottenham in 4th place, and they eventually finished in 5th.
Chelsea 1-1 Liverpool – 13th August 2023
Chelsea and Liverpool met on the opening day of this season, in what was Mauricio Pochettino's first game as Chelsea boss. Luis Diaz gave Liverpool the lead after 18 minutes before Mohamed Salah looked like he'd doubled their lead shortly after, only for VAR to rule it out for the narrowest of offsides. Chelsea came on strong after the VAR reprieve, and equalised through Disasi before halftime. Despite Chelsea pushing hard for a late winner, the spoils were shared.
Potential MVP – Diogo Jota
Diogo Jota has taken over the mantle as Liverpool's main goalscoring and creative asset ever since Salah went to the Africa Cup of Nations with Egypt and he is thriving. The Portuguese forward has scored three goals and provided three assists in his last six appearances for the Reds, and he will be the player Chelsea are most concerned about in and around the penalty area on Wednesday night.
Jota's record against Chelsea will need to improve, though, as he has only managed to score one goal against the Blues in 11 matches. Given his current form, there is perhaps no better time for him to remedy that.
Key trend
There is little else that stands out other than low-scoring draws. In fact, this pattern goes even further back than the 2022 Carabao Cup final, with the last win/loss result between these two teams coming in April 2021, when Chelsea won 1-0 at an empty Anfield. Meanwhile, Liverpool's last win over Chelsea inside 90 minutes came in September 2020.
Despite the recent run of draws, we are predicting a Liverpool win with both teams getting on the scoresheet.
