Liverpool v Chelsea: 'Fake' invincibles to show their true colours against Reds

Trust me: Rodgers can master the Special One

All this talk of Chelsea going through the Premier League campaign unbeaten will come to end on Saturday afternoon, according to the in-form Lewis Jones, who suggests Liverpool's season is about to come alive with an entertaining victory....

Liverpool v Chelsea
Saturday, KO 12:45
Live on BT Sport

Liverpool

The level of criticism directed at Brendan Rodgers door this week has been absurd. His decision to rest a raft of first-team players for Liverpool's trip to Real Madrid has been one which every pundit has had their two pence worth.

Steven Gerrard, Raheem Sterling, Mario Balotelli, Jordan Henderson, Glen Johnson and Dejan Lovren - all of whom were hugely lacklustre against Newcastle last weekend - observed the majority of Madrid's 1-0 win from the bench. The men chosen in their place put in a spirited performance against the world's best club team.

The "makeshift defence" restricted a forward line that had scored 47 goals in the previous 11 games while the Balotelli-less attack carried a much more vibrant threat that just lacked a quality final pass.

It was a performance that put the ones against Newcastle, Hull and QPR to shame.

It's obvious to me that this may act as a wakeup call to these so-called first-teamers following a month of underachievement.

Rodgers may have played this perfectly for the visit of the league leaders.

I feel a Liverpool response is on the cards at Anfield even if the game comes too soon for striker Daniel Sturridge, who may only be fit enough for the bench.

Chelsea

The door on the path to becoming the next invincibles still remains open.

Jose Mourinho's men are a ruthless outfit that have added quality in areas that were woefully lacking last season: see Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa.

With 10 games gone, the Blues are four points clear of Southampton and have already negotiated tricky trips to both Manchester clubs. Although, it's worth pointing out that they drew both of those games 1-1, so it could prove to be a costly strategy to get too carried away with this Chelsea side just yet.

Mourinho is likely to bring back Gary Cahill, Costa and Oscar into his side after those three were rested for the 1-1 Champions League draw in Maribor on Wednesday night.

Match Odds

The west Londoners, who beat Liverpool 2-0 in this fixture last year to shatter their dreams of winning the Premier League title are expected by the markets to repeat that result.

They have been steadily backed all week into 2.26/5 as they look to continue their relentless start to the campaign.

Historically, Anfield hasn't been a happy hunting ground for the Blues. That famous victory last season was just their 11th success on the Anfield turf from 77 visits there.

At the prices, I'm going to be taking an overrated Chelsea on against a Liverpool side that on their day have the guns to put it up to anyone.

What makes me queasy about people handing Mourinho's men the title already is the clear weakness at the heart of their defence when faced with genuine world-class movement - something that Liverpool possess through Sterling and Coutinho.

John Terry has already shown on multiple occasions this season that he lacks the speed over two or three yards to be trusted at the top-level to keep a grip on lively front-men while his partner in crime Cahill is far from reliable when dealing with clever movement.

Three clean sheets from 10 Premier League games hardly inspire confidence, especially when you note that Burnley, QPR and Crystal Palace have found ways through this season.

For those that like the look of the draw you can get 3.55/2 for your money. The 3.711/4 for a Liverpool win is a fair price, but we can do better.

Match Result & Over 2.5 Goals

This is a relatively new market being offered up by Betfair and it's here to stay judging by the interest and turnover it produces in the big games.

The lure of adding bulk to an outright win price using this type of bet, where the odds can be very generous at times, has certainly got punters ploughing down the cash.

Although tempted on many occasions this season for this preview slot, I haven't ever dabbled in this type of market, but now is the perfect time to make my debut.

My case is a simple one. When Liverpool win football matches in the Premier League the game produces over 2.5 goals, no matter the opposition. Rodgers doesn't know how to shut up shop in a game, therefore Liverpool are always attacking on the break until the end hence why goals flow regularly at both ends in their wins.

All of Liverpool's last 18 wins in the Premier League have seen the games produce over 2.5 goals. We can even give this stat further muscle by adding to the pot that 26 of their last 27 Premier League wins have seen the game leap over the 2.5 goal barrier.

This is a game Liverpool are well equipped to prosper in and the attacking threat they carry has been underestimated by the markets.

Liverpool to win and the game to go over 2.5 goals can be snapped up at a barnstormingly beautiful 5.04/1. Fill your boots, comrades.

Recommended Bet
Back Liverpool to win & the game to go over 2.5 goals @ 5.04/1

Lewis Jones Premier League P/L

Staked: 27pts
Returned: 40.8pts
P/L: +13.8pts