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Liverpool logo
Premier League | Gameweek 21
Jan 21, 2023 at 12.30pm UK
Anfield
Chelsea logo

Liverpool
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Chelsea


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Liverpool looking to avoid worst start to a year for 70 years

Liverpool looking to avoid worst start to a year for 70 years
© Reuters
Liverpool are out to avoid a worst start to a calendar year in 70 years when they welcome Chelsea to Anfield for Saturday's early Premier League kickoff.

Liverpool could equal an unwanted 70-year-old record when Chelsea travel to Anfield for Saturday's early Premier League kickoff.

The struggling Reds have suffered back-to-back Premier League defeats to open 2023, firstly going down 3-1 to Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium on January 2.

Ibrahima Konate's own goal and Yoane Wissa's effort preceded an Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain response, but Bryan Mbeumo wrapped up the three points for the Bees late on.

Jurgen Klopp's men then travelled South to meet Brighton & Hove Albion last Saturday, and they were humiliated in a 3-0 defeat to Roberto De Zerbi's men at the Amex.

Solly March's brace and Danny Welbeck's effort gave the Seagulls a thoroughly deserved win over Liverpool, who had not lost their opening two league games of a year since 1993 before last weekend.

Jurgen Klopp in charge of Liverpool in January 2023© Reuters

After equalling that disappointing 30-year-old record on the South coast, Liverpool could now match an unwanted feat from all the way back in 1953 if they suffer defeat to Chelsea.

It has been 70 years since the Reds last suffered three successive losses in their opening three league games of a calendar year, as they lost to Stoke City, Manchester City and Portsmouth in January 1953.

A shaky defensive record has bedevilled Liverpool throughout the campaign, as Klopp's side have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last eight Premier League matches and have conceded three goals in their last two.

Coincidentally, the last time that Liverpool conceded three or more goals in three successive league games also came in 1953, where they lost 5-1 to Portsmouth and Manchester United before a 5-2 defeat to West Bromwich Albion in December.

However, Liverpool returned to winning ways with a 1-0 success against Wolverhampton Wanderers in their FA Cup third-round replay on Tuesday, with a wonder strike from Harvey Elliott settling the contest.

Liverpool players look dejected after Yoane Wissa scores for Brentford on January 2, 2022© Reuters

The Reds should also be handed a significant injury boost ahead of the visit of Chelsea, with Darwin Nunez expected to return from a minor injury in time to start up front.

The Uruguayan missed out against Brighton and Wolves after sustaining the unspecified issue, but he has reportedly returned to team training with the Reds to alleviate their injury concerns.

Klopp, who will take charge of his 1,000th game as a manager, remains without the services of Virgil van Dijk, Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota, Roberto Firmino and Arthur for the visit of Chelsea.

A total of 28 points from 18 games sees Liverpool languish in ninth place in the Premier League table, level on points with 10th-placed Chelsea - who have played a game more - but ahead of their upcoming opponents on goal difference.

Liverpool defeated Chelsea on penalties in the EFL Cup and FA Cup finals last season, although both meetings in the 2021-22 Premier League campaign ended level.

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Draw
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Chelsea
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Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring their second goal with Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo on January 7, 2023
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City117222213923
3Chelsea115422113819
4Arsenal115421812619
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest115421510519
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton115421915419
7Fulham115331613318
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
9Aston Villa115331717018
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1151523131016
11Brentford115152222016
12Bournemouth114341515015
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Leicester CityLeicester112451421-710
16Everton112451017-710
17Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
18Crystal Palace11146815-77
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves111371627-116
20Southampton11119721-144


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