Chelsea and Liverpool will have varying motivations heading into Sunday’s clash at Stamford Bridge.
For Enzo Maresca, a victory could boost the Blues’ chances of qualifying for the Champions League.
As for Arne Slot, he would like Liverpool to accumulate as many points as possible after having won the Premier League title by thrashing Tottenham Hotspur 5-1 last week.
Virgil van Dijk confirmed Liverpool’s incoming big summer but for the time being, he will also have his sights set on potentially ending the season with an incredible tally of 94 points.
The pressure is mounting on Enzo Maresca, however and as the Italian tactician aims to mastermind a much-needed win, Gary Neville has chimed in on the upcoming clash.
Gary Neville predicts 2-1 Chelsea win vs Liverpool
Gary Neville initially claimed that what might go against Liverpool when they lock horns with Chelsea are their celebrations after clinching the title.
Neville further stated that the Liverpool players could end up feeling tired after their much-deserved celebrations that could be a big boost for Chelsea.
As a result, the Manchester United predicted Enzo Maresca and Co to win 2-1 against Arne Slot’s side on The Overlap US’ show, It’s Called Soccer!: “I actually think Chelsea could win. I’m imagining that Liverpool have had a massive party that’s probably not end, to be fair, probably still going now.”
“I suspect you have those drinks, those lads haven’t been drinking for a month or two, they’re just going to go absolutely go crazy, their bodies will just be in to shut down up until Wednesday, Thursday, they’re going to train a bit slower, a bit sloppier and I think they’ll just get edged out, I think it’ll be 2-1 to Chelsea.”
After predicting Chelsea to beat Liverpool, Gary Neville also backed Cole Palmer to grab a goal, saying: “Scorer for Chelsea, I’ll go Palmer.”
Liverpool’s recent record at Stamford Bridge
Based on how both teams have fared this campaign, however, it is hard to look past the Reds taking home three points.
Here is Liverpool’s record at Stamford Bridge in their past five meetings as Gary Neville reckons the visitors will suffer their third league defeat of the season.
| SCORELINE AT STAMFORD BRIDGE | LIVERPOOL | CHELSEA |
| 0-1 | WIN | LOSS |
| 1-1 | DRAW | DRAW |
| 0-0 | DRAW | DRAW |
| 2-2 | DRAW | DRAW |
| 0-2 | LOSS | WIN |
In their last five visitors to Chelsea’s gaff, Liverpool have won once, drawn thrice and lost once.
Clearly, the hosts manage to make things tetchy for the Merseyside-based club despite them having been a superior team than them over the years.
Whether Enzo Maresca can manage to get another lionhearted performance from Chelsea against Liverpool will be interesting to see.
