Liverpool vs Chelsea LIVE! Premier League result, match stream and latest updates today

Liverpool vs Chelsea - LIVE!

Premier League leaders Liverpool restored their five-point advantage with a 4-1 win over Chelsea on a memorable night for youngster Conor Bradley and a typically frustrating one for Darwin Nunez. With Manchester City beating Burnley and Arsenal winning on Tuesday, victory in the first of their major double-header - a trip to the Emirates is up next - was imperative but Jurgen Klopp's side could not have expected to have had such a comfortable time.

Goals from Diogo Jota, Bradley - his first for the club - and Dominik Szoboszlai put the game beyond a woeful Chelsea inside 65 minutes but it could have been a rout as Nunez hit the woodwork an incredible four times - once from the penalty spot. Thankfully for Liverpool his input was not needed as there was another star performer in the form of academy graduate Bradley, deputising for Trent Alexander-Arnold who was on the bench as he continued to make his comeback from injury, on only his second league start.

Bradley, man of the match against Norwich on Sunday, has been directly involved in six goals in his last four appearances and he deservedly departed to a standing ovation when Alexander-Arnold eventually took over.

Liverpool vs Chelsea team news

• GOAL! Diaz restores three-goal lead

• GOAL! Nkunku pulls one back for Chelsea

• GOAL! Szoboszlai puts result beyond doubt

• MISS! Nunez penalty hits the post

• GOAL! Bradley nets first Liverpool goal

• GOAL! Jota gives Liverpool deserved lead

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22:43 , Matt Verri

Conor Bradley scored once and provided two assists as Liverpool moved five points clear again at the top of the Premier League with a 4-1 win over Chelsea at Anfield.

In their first League match since the announcement that Jurgen Klopp will leave the club at the end of the season, Liverpool needed to respond after Arsenal's victory over Nottingham Forest on Tuesday night briefly closed the gap.

It was clear almost from the first whistle that the Reds would do just that, as they pinned Chelsea back and swarmed all over a creaking defence.

Read our full report here!

Player ratings

22:23 , Matt Verri

Thiago Silva - 4

Failed to take charge of the situation as Jota bundled through his weak challenge to score. The 39-year-old was partly to blame for the fourth goal.

Benoit Badiashile - 3

The Frenchman was also desperately poor for the goal, forcing Silva to come across to his side, but they failed to resolve the problem together. He also gave away the penalty, which was missed, but it was a harsh decision. He then played Darwin onside as he set up Diaz's fourth—a torrid night.

Read our full Chelsea ratings here!

Nizaar Kinsella at Anfield

22:18 , Matt Verri

At least Nkunku showed promise. Chelsea were blown away by title contenders Liverpool, who were excellent as they give Jurgen Klopp a prolonged send off. Some concerns about Chelsea's lack of solidity and defensive mistakes.

FT: Liverpool 4-1 Chelsea

22:14 , Matt Verri

Liverpool are five points clear at the top again!

Sensational performance, too good for Chelsea.

Bradley with a goal and two assists, while Nunez managed to hit the woodwork four times.

Liverpool 4-1 Chelsea

22:13 , Matt Verri

90+6 mins: Liverpool are away on the counter, Nunez losing his footing though. He was eyeing a 12th shot of the match...

Reluctantly passes and the chance goes.

Liverpool 4-1 Chelsea

22:12 , Matt Verri

90+5 mins: Nkunku eyeing a second goal, but Konate is on hand to head the ball behind for a corner.

The Blues have just about enough time for a late consolation...

Liverpool 4-1 Chelsea

22:10 , Matt Verri

90+3 mins: We're very much at the stage of the match when Liverpool players are shooting from everywhere.

Gakpo now tries his luck from distance, comfortable save for Petrovic.

Liverpool 4-1 Chelsea

22:07 , Matt Verri

90 mins: Six minutes added on.

Chelsea would have snapped your hand off for six seconds.

Liverpool 4-1 Chelsea

22:05 , Matt Verri

88 mins: Klopp has his head in his hands, as Mac Allister stays down after a strong challenge.

Midfielder is back on his feet, not moving particularly well. Will have to continue, Liverpool have no more changes to make.

Liverpool 4-1 Chelsea

22:03 , Matt Verri

86 mins: Nunez, now on 11 shots in the match, in behind, but Petrovic reads the pass well and flies off his line to gather.

It's all Liverpool again now, Chelsea's race is run.

Liverpool 4-1 Chelsea

22:00 , Matt Verri

83 mins: Clark is on for Jones.

Appreciate Klopp keeping Nunez on. We all deserve more entertainment.

Reminder that he has hit the woodwork four times tonight. Yes, that is a record.

Liverpool 4-1 Chelsea

21:57 , Matt Verri

81 mins: Pochettino with a big sigh on the touchline.

He has good reason to be annoyed with some of the officiating, Chelsea should definitely have had a penalty to make it 3-2.

Liverpool have though been the better side. By far.

GOAL! Liverpool 4-1 Chelsea | Luis Diaz 79'

21:55 , Matt Verri

That really is game over!

Nunez involved, as per. Gets in down the left, plays the ball across the face of goal and Diaz turns it in at the back post.

Liverpool 3-1 Chelsea

21:53 , Matt Verri

76 mins: Nunez hits the bar AGAIN!

The fourth time he's hit the woodwork tonight. Ball swung in, he's completely free and somehow he thunders a header against the bar. Madness.

Liverpool 3-1 Chelsea

21:51 , Matt Verri

74 mins: VAR says no penalty too - Pochettino is absolutely furious.

Chelsea had a case for a spot-kick there, that could very easily have been given.

Liverpool 3-1 Chelsea

21:49 , Matt Verri

73 mins: Chelsea all of a sudden playing with a bit of confidence, some groans around Anfield.

Nice move from the Blues, Mudryk finds Nkunku in the box. The Frenchman goes down... no penalty!

GOAL! Liverpool 3-1 Chelsea | Christopher Nkunku 71'

21:47 , Matt Verri

There's one back!

Chukwuemeka drives forward, plays the ball inside to Nkunku. The Frenchman turns well and drags a finish in off the far post.

Liverpool 3-0 Chelsea

21:46 , Matt Verri

69 mins: Four Liverpool changes!

Bradley is off, after a goal and two assists. Alexander-Arnold on in his place.

Szoboszlai, Gomez and Jota also off, as Elliott, Robertson and Gakpo come on.

Liverpool 3-0 Chelsea

21:43 , Matt Verri

67 mins: Another Chelsea change - Chukwuemeka on for Caicedo.

Sure he's delighted to come on with his side 3-0 down at Anfield.

GOAL! Liverpool 3-0 Chelsea | Dominik Szoboszlai 65'

21:42 , Matt Verri

Game over!

Van Dijk with a glorious ping out to Bradley, who once again flies forward on the right.

He pings a wonderful ball into the middle, and Szoboszlai is on hand to power a header past Petrovic.

Liverpool 2-0 Chelsea

21:41 , Matt Verri

64 mins: Pace of the match has just slowed down a bit, Liverpool happy to keep the ball for now.

Will Klopp want to give Alexander-Arnold and Robertson some more minutes ahead of the trip to Arsenal this weekend?

Liverpool 2-0 Chelsea

21:38 , Matt Verri

61 mins: Lovely dummy from Szoboszlai, as Nunez is played in.

Curls a shot towards the far corner, comfortable for Petrovic. How has he not scored tonight?!

Liverpool 2-0 Chelsea

21:37 , Matt Verri

60 mins: Chance for Chelsea to break, Nkunku in his own half and desperately wants the ball played in behind.

Liverpool are exposed, but Sterling takes far too long to play the pass and by the time he does, Nkunku is offside.

Liverpool 2-0 Chelsea

21:35 , Matt Verri

58 mins: Some performance this from Bradley. Pounces on a loose pass, chops inside past Caicedo and wins a free-kick for Liverpool. Good position, 25 yards out.

Szoboszlai again steps up, again into the wall. Deflected over for a corner.

Liverpool 2-0 Chelsea

21:32 , Matt Verri

56 mins: Jota robs Caicedo on the edge of the box. Goes for goal rather than sliding in Bradley, shot is deflected away for a corner.

Deep towards Van Dijk, Disasi does well to get up in front of him and head it away.

Nizaar Kinsella at Anfield

21:30 , Matt Verri

Mykhailo Mudryk has hopefully been watching Darwin Nunez, to channel that chaotic energy into something productive.

Unfortunately, his first touch is sending a wonderful one-on-on chance miles over the crossbar.

Liverpool 2-0 Chelsea

21:30 , Matt Verri

53 mins: Feels like we're going to get more goals, match is very open.

Diaz skips past Gusto, onto his right foot in the box and fires an effort straight at Petrovic.

Liverpool 2-0 Chelsea

21:27 , Matt Verri

51 mins: Real chance for Chelsea!

They get away down the right, Gusto fires it in low across the face of goal. Mudryk completely free at the back post, balloons a finish over the bar with his left foot. Had to score, even if he was on the stretch.

Nizaar Kinsella at Anfield

21:26 , Matt Verri

THREE Chelsea changes at half-time.

It's a bit of a surprise both in terms of the number of changes and who was taken off.

Liverpool 2-0 Chelsea

21:25 , Matt Verri

49 mins: Nunez with yet another hopeful shot from distance, charged down and Chelsea can counter.

Brilliant ball from Caicedo to pick out Sterling, who has to slow down. Then tries to clip it over the top to Nkunku, but puts too much on the pass.

Liverpool 2-0 Chelsea

21:24 , Matt Verri

47 mins: Nunez earns himself a pointless yellow card, kicks the ball away after conceding a free-kick.

Never a dull moment when he's involved.

Back underway!

21:22 , Matt Verri

Fair to say Pochettino was not impressed with what he saw.

Mudryk, Nkunku and Gusto are all on, with Madueke, Gallagher and Chilwell off.

Bradley continues to impress!

21:18 , Matt Verri

Alexander-Arnold is on the bench as he returns to fitness, but Bradley has been sensational in recent weeks.

Certainly done enough to show he can fill in whenever Alexander-Arnold is out.

First-half stats

21:13 , Matt Verri

Just the 15 shots for Liverpool, six of those on target.

Chelsea have had one effort in the match, Fernandez firing straight at Alisson from about 25 yards out.

The Blues have offered absolutely nothing in attack, and can be grateful they're only two-goals down.

Should be 3-0...

21:08 , Matt Verri

Darwin Nunez has been involved in everything for Liverpool... and he's hit the woodwork three times!

He's somehow found a way not to score.

HT: Liverpool 2-0 Chelsea

21:06 , Matt Verri

That's half-time.

Liverpool utterly dominant, could easily be three or four goals up.

Jota and Bradley made it 2-0, before Nunez smacked a penalty against the post.

That means Chelsea are now quite out of it yet, but they need something very special.

Nizaar Kinsella at Anfield

21:04 , Matt Verri

Nunez has hit the bar and now the post twice, after missing that penalty.

His approach to shoot with power every time comes with some downsides, despite an overall good performance.

MISSED!

21:02 , Matt Verri

Mac Allister was holding the ball, he's handed it over to Nunez though.

Nunez... MISSES! Smacked against the post.

Third time he's hit the woodwork tonight!

Nizaar Kinsella at Anfield

21:01 , Matt Verri

That is a soft penalty. Mauricio Pochettino looks despondent.

Chelsea are being taken apart but the refereeing decisions are speeding up their demise.

PENALTY LIVERPOOL!

21:00 , Matt Verri

Dear me, the Chelsea wheels really have come off.

Jota gets to the ball ahead of Badiashile and goes down, was he clipped?

Referee points to the spot.

Liverpool 2-0 Chelsea

20:59 , Matt Verri

44 mins: Liverpool win another corner, Chelsea badly need half-time. And full-time.

Van Dijk up at the back post, nods it back into the middle and Chelsea scramble it away.

Nizaar Kinsella at Anfield

20:57 , Matt Verri

Young academy graduate Conor Bradley makes it 2-0 with a stunning finish. The goal survives a VAR check.

I think Chelsea's heads have gone here. I feel for them a bit as a few big decisions have gone against them but the reaction has not been good.

Liverpool 2-0 Chelsea

20:57 , Matt Verri

41 mins: Pochettino throws his arms up in the air, as Disasi gives away a free-kick out wide.

The referee is over to have a word to calm things down. Disasi shown a yellow card, Chelsea losing their discipline. Again.

GOAL! Liverpool 2-0 Chelsea | Conor Bradley 39'

20:55 , Matt Verri

Brilliant moment for Bradley!

Jota and Chilwell get in a wrestling match and it leaves the space for Bradley to charge into. Sterling doesn't track the run.

Diaz slides it wide to Bradley, who drives into the box and hammers a finish into the far corner.

Liverpool 1-0 Chelsea

20:53 , Matt Verri

38 mins: Liverpool have had 13 shots so far, Chelsea haven't had a single one.

They're not having a great time with the referee either. Palmer the latest Chelsea player to go down demanding a free-kick, only to be met by a hand waving him up.

Nizaar Kinsella at Anfield

20:51 , Matt Verri

Enzo Fernandez being booked for a brainless tackle on Curtis Jones, after flying in recklessly, means Chelsea's two holding midfielders must play the rest of the match cautiously.

Both on yellow cards.

Liverpool 1-0 Chelsea

20:50 , Matt Verri

35 mins: Chilwell drives into the box, goes down as Konate sticks a leg out.

Whistle goes, yellow card for diving! Replays show there was indeed no contact on Chilwell.

Liverpool 1-0 Chelsea

20:49 , Matt Verri

34 mins: Szoboszlai to take.... straight into the wall. Bit of an anti-climax.

Caicedo loses it though, Liverpool straight back on the attack. The Blues need to do something to change the momentum of this match.

Liverpool 1-0 Chelsea

20:48 , Matt Verri

33 mins: Chelsea could do without losing their heads. Fernandez absolute flies in on Jones, brings him down 25 yards out and that will be as obvious a yellow card as you'll ever see.

Could get worse for Chelsea - this is in a great position.

Liverpool 1-0 Chelsea

20:47 , Matt Verri

31 mins: The Liverpool domination continues.

Gomez slips the ball inside to Jones, who looks to pass it into the far corner. Strong hand from Petrovic.

Ball clipped back into the middle, acrobatic effort from Nunez and it's well over the bar.

Liverpool 1-0 Chelsea

20:46 , Matt Verri

30 mins: Bradley has been brilliant once again down the right for Liverpool.

Combines with Jota, before the Portuguese forward looks to whip a cross into the middle. Charged down.

Liverpool 1-0 Chelsea

20:43 , Matt Verri

28 mins: Madueke with a chance to set Sterling away, but he's quickly surrounded by three red shirts.

Chelsea haven't had a chance to breathe in the opening 28 minutes or so. Fernandez fires a ball into the box, Gomez clears.

Liverpool 1-0 Chelsea

20:41 , Matt Verri

25 mins: No idea what took so long to check that.

If it came off anyone's hand, it was Badiashile. Eventually VAR confirms the decision, goal stands.

Nizaar Kinsella at Anfield

20:40 , Matt Verri

1-0 Jota scores after Ben Chilwell turns over possession just inside Liverpool's half.

Thiago Silva and Benoit Badiashile had the chance to stop the Portuguese forward, but he bundled through to score.

VAR now checking whether he handled it.

GOAL! Liverpool 1-0 Chelsea | Diogo Jota 23'

20:39 , Matt Verri

IT'S BEEN COMING!

Bradley plays the ball inside to Jota, and he just bundles his way through the Chelsea defence.

Straight through the middle, ball bobbles around a bit but stays at his feet and he beats Petrovic from close range.

Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea

20:37 , Matt Verri

21 mins: Bradley swings in a cross from deep, Diaz gets up in between Konate and Van Dijk and he flicks a header wide.

That was a decent chance - Chelsea made a bit of a mess of defending that.

Nizaar Kinsella at Anfield

20:36 , Matt Verri

Darwin Nunez has hit the bar and post inside 18 minutes.

This game is going exactly as you might expect. Everything is coming through Nunez, who has been almost unstoppable.

Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea

20:35 , Matt Verri

20 mins: Liverpool win a free-kick out wide, one-way traffic continues.

Poor ball in though, Chilwell there at the near post to boot it away. That's all Chelsea can do right now, but they're hanging in there.

Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea

20:33 , Matt Verri

18 mins: Off the post!

He's hit the bar and now he's been denied by the post too.

Konate pings a ball over the top and Nunez is away. Goes early with the left-footed strike, Petrovic tips it onto the post.

Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea

20:31 , Matt Verri

16 mins: Make that four shots from distance for Nunez. Jota getting a bit irritated.

Chelsea just hacking the ball up the pitch when they win it back, they're struggling to get out. Everyone back in their own half.

Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea

20:29 , Matt Verri

14 mins: Nunez has decided he will be shooting at every possible opportunity tonight.

Again he's 20 yards out, again he lets fly... this time dragged wide of the far post. He's keen, you've got to give him that.

Nizaar Kinsella at Anfield

20:28 , Matt Verri

A harsh yellow card is given to Moises Caicedo now.

Chelsea might be a be aggrieved with a few early Paul Tierney decisions.

Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea

20:28 , Matt Verri

12 mins: Szoboszlai whips a great ball in, flicked on by Jota and it loops beyond the far post.

Liverpool look really sharp, Chelsea have done well to survive the early charge.

Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea

20:27 , Matt Verri

11 mins: Yellow card for Caicedo.

He's less than impressed with the free-kick decision, after pulling back Diaz. Think the booking is for his response to the referee, rather than the foul itself.

Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea

20:24 , Matt Verri

9 mins: Nunez has made a brilliant start to this match.

Nice pass through to him from Mac Allister, Nunez takes a touch and then hammers an effort at goal from the edge of the area. Petrovic gets a slight touch and it flicks off the top of the bar!

Corner. Headed out to Mac Allister, his shot back in is blocked.

Nizaar Kinsella at Anfield

20:22 , Matt Verri

Liverpool are looking predictably dominant early on and confidence is flowing through the Reds at home.

Darwin Nunez showed that by attempting a sensational first time volleyed lob from just inside the box.

There's a big penalty shout just seconds later as Conor Gallagher is brought down in the box but referee Paul Tierney and VAR John Brooks are not interested.

Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea

20:22 , Matt Verri

7 mins: HUGE appeals for a Chelsea penalty... waved away.

Sterling cuts the ball back, Chelsea players flying into the area. Gallagher's first touch takes him past Van Dijk and he then goes down.

Was there contact? Referee says no.

Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea

20:21 , Matt Verri

5 mins: Both sides a bit too keen in the early stages, rushing to play the ball in behind. Keeps being turned over.

Chelsea go long, Palmer holds it up but he's comfortably offside. Konate gives it straight back, but then makes up for it with a good interception.

At the other end, Nunez goes for a clever chip but Petrovic scrambles back to gather.

Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea

20:18 , Matt Verri

2 mins: Nice ball from Palmer, Sterling very nearly clean through on goal but Alisson, as ever, reads it well and flies off his line to claim.

Been a fair bit of rain ahead of kick-off, and a few patches of the pitch don't look particularly great.

KICK-OFF!

20:15 , Matt Verri

We're up and running!

Here we go!

20:12 , Matt Verri

Players are out onto the pitch at Anfield.

Brilliant atmosphere as expected - this is going to be a serious test for Chelsea.

Nizaar Kinsella at Anfield

20:07 , Matt Verri

It has been awful weather ahead of kick-off, but clears up just in time for You'll Never Walk Alone.

There are boos for Raheem Sterling and Moises Caicedo as their names are read out on the Anfield PA system.

Chilwell back to fitness

20:05 , Matt Verri

Ben Chilwell tonight makes his first Premier League start since September, and Mauricio Pochettino hopes it is the start of a long run in the team for the left-back.

"The challenge is for him to be consistent in every single game - to have the possibility to compete and be ready to play," Pochettino says."Of course, this is his first Premier League start [for months, and yes there is always a question mark because he was out of the competition for a long period, but it is always good to recover a good player and a player like him."

Liverpool want to do it for Klopp

19:57 , Matt Verri

Virgil van Dijk insists that Jurgen Klopp's news will lift the Liverpool squad even further, as they look to send him out on a high.

Not what the rest of the Premier League wanted to hear...

Alonso to make Liverpool return?

19:52 , Matt Verri

Liverpool began succession planning before Jurgen Klopp's bombshell announcement that he will leave Anfield at the end of the season, with former midfielder Xabi Alonso considered a frontrunner.

Klopp announced his departure from Liverpool on Friday, but the club had known about the situation since a meeting in November.

The 56-year-old said in a video interview on social media that he is “running out of energy” and explained that club executives had already had time to digest his decision.

Liverpool were taken by surprise in the meeting in November — with the announcement coming less than two years after he signed a long-term contract until 2026 — but they now have time to discuss candidates internally.

The replacement shortlist is not yet publicly known, but Bayer Leverkusen manager Alonso, who is regarded as one of the most exciting young coaches in world football, is an obvious choice for the role.

There is no release clause in Alonso's Leverkusen contract but they are unlikely to stand in his way if he asks to leave at the end of the season.

Nizaar Kinsella at Anfield

19:47 , Matt Verri

Can Chelsea flatten the mood at a bouncing Anfield?

Pochettino: We've missed Jackson

19:42 , Matt Verri

Mauricio Pochettino does not have Nicolas Jackson available tonight, after he was unable to return from AFCON in time, and the Chelsea boss believes his side have missed the striker.

He said: "With Nico, we miss this aggressivity that he provides in front, he runs a lot, the effort is massive and he helps the team to press high, recover and then to score goals because also he is scoring goals.

"He has a good record at the moment. I think we miss him a lot and now, yes, happy in some way because we can recover him and the other side, of course, is sad because they lost."

Broja future to be decided

19:34 , Matt Verri

Fulham are weighing up a late move for Chelsea striker Armando Broja, who is named on the bench tonight.

Raul Jimenez was forced off at half-time last night with a suspected hamstring strain and Fulham face a nervous wait to discover the extent of the problem.

Broja could still leave Chelsea before tomorrow's transfer deadline.

Fulham appear his most likely destination, with Wolves reluctant to make another offer after their loan bid was rejected yesterday. Aston Villa and West Ham had also explored a move for Broja but are not expected to revive their interest this month.

Pre-match thoughts from the Liverpool boss

19:28 , Matt Verri

Jurgen Klopp has been speaking ahead of kick-off.

He wants the fans to "ignore" the noise around his departure and create a "proper atmosphere" centred on Liverpool trying to Chelsea.

Klopp is expected a tough test though - he believes Chelsea are in their best form of the season.

Nizaar Kinsella at Anfield

19:24 , Matt Verri

No surprises in Mauricio Pochettino's selection.

It's Cole Palmer as a false 9 with Raheem Sterling and Noni Madueke flanking him. Armando Broja is only on the bench, amid Fulham interest ahead of deadline day.

Nicolas Jackson doesn't make the squad after Senegal's president asked him to fly to Dakar before returning to England after their Africa Cup of Nations elimination.

Cesare Casadei makes the squad for the first time, with Christopher Nkunku and Malo Gusto back among the substitutes after injury.

In the building!

19:21 , Matt Verri

Liverpool have arrived at Anfield...

Chelsea team news

19:18 , Matt Verri

Starting XI: Petrovic, Disasi, Badiashile, Silva, Chilwell, Caicedo, Fernandez, Gallagher, Palmer, Madueke, Sterling

Subs: Bergstrom, Gilchrist, Gusto, Casadei, Chukwuemeka, Mudryk, Washington, Nkunku, Broja

Liverpool team news

19:16 , Matt Verri

Starting XI: Alisson, Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Gomez, Mac Allister, Jones, Szoboszlai, Diaz, Jota, Nunez

Subs: Kelleher, Gakpo, Elliott, Robertson, Gravenberch, Clark, McConnell, Alexander-Arnold, Quansah

Stand by...

19:08 , Matt Verri

Team news from Anfield coming up in just over five minutes.

Liverpool with Alexander-Arnold and Robertson fit again... will they both start tonight?

And plenty of decision for Pochettino too, with Nkunku expected to be back in the squad.

All will soon be revealed.

Spotlight on Caicedo

19:00 , Matt Verri

Moises Caicedo will have a point to prove at Anfield tonight.

The Chelsea midfielder can expect a hostile reception after rejecting Liverpool for a move to Stamford Bridge last summer.

Liverpool agreed a £111million deal with Brighton but Caicedo told Jurgen Klopp he wanted to join Chelsea and went on to seal a British-record £115m switch to the Blues.

While Caicedo's form is slowly improving, it has not been an easy first season for the Ecuadorian at Chelsea, and Klopp aimed a dig at him last month.

Speaking to thousands of Reds fans on the pitch at Anfield during a test event for the new Anfield Road Stand, Klopp said: "The summer we had… we had a few strange things happen in the transfer market. But here, between us, I can say… my god, were we lucky, eh?

"It didn't feel like it in that moment, but yeah I'm really happy that it worked out."

Read our full preview here!

Salah continues hamstring recovery

18:53 , Matt Verri

Mohamed Salah remains unavailable for Liverpool, as he continues his recovery from a hamstring issue.

There will no return to AFCON for Salah, after Egypt were knocked out by DR Congo, and his focus is instead on returning to fitness for his club.

An initial timeline suggested Salah would return in mid-February, with Klopp confirming he would miss the next couple of matches at least.

“He’s not ready for this game, not ready for the next game [against Arsenal]… and then not,” he said ahead of Chelsea's visit.

“So he’s injured. I’m not sure if there was a misunderstanding in the beginning. He’s injured and a muscle injury takes time.

“It could have been much worse, but he’s not available at the moment. He’s just doing his rehab.”

Klopp: Unnecessary to show me love

18:45 , Matt Verri

Jurgen Klopp as urged Liverpool fans to forget about his looming summer exit for now and instead focus on making Anfield as inhospitable an environment for opposing teams as possible over the coming months.

There were banners, signs, T-shirts and chants in support of Klopp before, during and after an emotional-charged game on Merseyside against Norwich on Sunday, which Liverpool easily won 5-2.

"The atmosphere today, the people obviously showed everything to me and it's wonderful and I love it and it's absolutely great," Klopp said.

"It's unnecessary because I know about it, but I will not say don't do it anymore. People can do what they want definitely and I mean it.

"But we need obviously an atmosphere on the pitch and for that we need a crowd just not to think about the manager.

"I'm really sorry I had to mention that and these kind of things but that's how it is. Now we just have to forget it for a while and just go for each opponent like crazy."

Chelsea set to send Santos back out on loan

18:37 , Matt Verri

Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos is in talks to join Strasbourg on loan until the end of the season.

The 19-year-old was recalled from Nottingham Forest at the beginning of January and is now considering a move to France until the summer.

The one-cap Brazil international is currently away at a pre-Olympic qualifying tournament with his national team.

But could move to join Chelsea's sister club, which is part of the Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital-owned multi-club network under the BlueCo umbrella.

Santos would be the second player to join the Ligue 1 club from Chelsea since BlueCo's takeover, with winger Angelo Gabriel having made the switch in the summer and become a regular under manager Patrick Vieira.

Read more on that here!

Jackson set to miss out

18:29 , Matt Verri

Chelsea had hoped to have Nicolas Jackson in the squad tonight, after Senegal were knocked out of the Africa Cup of Nations on Monday.

However, it's believed that he first had to fly back to Senegal with the squad, rather than straight to Manchester as Chelsea had planned.

That decision from Senegal means that Jackson is unlikely to be involved tonight.

Klopp exit presents chance for Premier League rivals

18:22 , Matt Verri

For Liverpool, there will be no easily replacing a figure as talismanic as Jurgen Klopp, who last week announced he will leave the club at the end of the season, writes Dan Kilpatrick.

With sporting director Jorg Schmadtke also stepping down this week, and Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold all out of contract in 18 months, Liverpool face a summer of enormous upheaval.

In the meantime, there are four trophies to be won but, like Arsenal post-Wenger and Manchester United post-Ferguson, it is easy to imagine the Reds are headed for a rocky period of transition when Klopp calls time on nine years at Anfield.

Since 2017-18, a London team has finished above Liverpool just twice. Now, as the Reds brace for a tricky succession, Arsenal, Spurs and Chelsea should all feel in a strong position to take advantage of the upheaval ahead.

Click here to read the full column!

Stage is set!

18:16 , Matt Verri

A perfect Merseyside night ahead...

Standard Sport prediction

18:09 , Matt Verri

It has been a bit all-or-nothing for the Blues on the road this season, and often it has been nothing.

This is a fixture known for its draws, but Liverpool's rocking home record should see them over the line, with Anfield guaranteed to be bouncing between now and the end of the season.

Liverpool to win, 2-0.

Chelsea team news

18:03 , Matt Verri

Chelsea will be boosted by the return of Christopher Nkunku.

However, the French forward will likely only be fit enough to feature from the bench after his hip issue. Defender Malo Gusto is also back in full training and could join his team-mate in Mauricio Pochettino's Blues squad at Anfield.

Levi Colwill remains out with a minor tendon injury sustained in the warm-up before last week's goalless draw with Aston Villa in the FA Cup fourth round. Trevoh Chalobah has been training with the squad but is still not ready to return to competitive action having yet to play this season after hamstring trouble.

Chelsea captain Reece James, Marc Cucurella, Robert Sanchez, Wesley Fofana, Lesley Ugochukwu and Romeo Lavia are all still out injured.

Predicted Chelsea XI (4-2-3-1): Petrovic; Disasi, Silva, Badiashile, Chilwell; Caicedo, Fernandez; Palmer, Gallagher, Sterling; Madueke

Liverpool team news

17:57 , Matt Verri

Liverpool should have Alexis Mac Allister back against Chelsea tonight, with Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold also pushing to start in the Premier League clash.

Alexander-Arnold made his return off the bench against Norwich over the weekend after three weeks out with a knee injury, while Robertson was also introduced in the second half for his first appearance since early October having undergone shoulder surgery.

Alexis Mac Allister was not involved at all, but Klopp confirmed that the midfielder is expected to be available to face Chelsea.

"Macca trained yesterday so should be fine," he told reporters on Tuesday.

Predicted Liverpool XI (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Gomez; Mac Allister, Jones, Szoboszlai; Diaz, Jota, Nunez

How to watch Liverpool vs Chelsea

17:51 , Matt Verri

TV channel: In the UK, tonight's game will be televised live on TNT Sports 1 and Ultimate. Coverage starts at 7:30pm GMT ahead of an 8:15pm kick-off.

Live stream: Subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the Discovery+ app and website.

Live blog: You can follow all the action right here, with expert analysis from Nizaar Kinsella at Anfield.

Good evening!

17:44 , Matt Verri

Hello and welcome to Standard Sport's LIVE coverage of Liverpool vs Chelsea!

It's a huge night for both sides, as Liverpool look to move five points clear at the top of the table again, and Chelsea go in search of a statement result that would really fire their season into gear.

We'll have all the latest updates, build-up and team news ahead of kick-off, which comes at 8:15pm GMT from Anfield. Stay with us!