Liverpool will continue to fight for a top-four place as they travel to meet champions-elect Chelsea. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary on Monday morning from 12:45am (AEST).
How times have turned for both Chelsea and Liverpool, specifically times from 12 months ago.
A gorgeous April day at Anfield was soured for all those in red when Jose Mourinho’s understrength Chelsea built a brick wall in front of Liverpool’s title hopes, which would flounder only a week later.
While Liverpool have not stopped thinking back of that critical moment, Chelsea need not. The title race was still alive last season when Chelsea travelled to Anfield. In contrast, Liverpool journey south in full awareness their opponents have secured the championship with games to spare.
First will come the guard of honour that Liverpool players will surely bestow upon their hosts, followed then by a partisan and noisy Stamford Bridge ready to inflict further pain upon their red rivals by denying them a place in the top four.
Chelsea’s record points tally of 95 from Mourinho’s first season in charge in 2004-05 cannot be bested this term, and with that in mind, Mourinho may use the next three games to test his options for next season. This may involve greater involvement of the players that have regularly warmed the bench in recent weeks as the Portuguese has largely retained a core of 12 or 13 players to win him the title. Expect the likes of Filipe Luis, Kurt Zouma and young star Ruben Loftus-Cheek to get a run.
Therefore, Brendan Rodgers will be aware of the need to get a positive result at Stamford Bridge, something only Sunderland has achieved in Jose Mourinho’s two spells. Few will expect Liverpool to have an impact on Monday at the enemy’s den when they failed to do so last season at home with Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez in tow. Couple this with the Reds’ recent poor run of form, halted only by a lucky escape against QPR last weekend, and Liverpool’s chances look bleak.
Striking options are thin of the ground courtesy of the failure of Mario Balotelli, minimal presence of Rickie Lambert, and the ongoing absence of Sturridge. Therefore, Brendan Rodgers may seek to play Raheem Sterling once again as a false 9, with Coutinho and Adam Lallana siding alongside the wantaway gun.
A bigger question for Rodgers is deciding whether to start Steven Gerrard, who no longer looks part of Liverpool’s best XI. In his place, Rodgers may opt for Lucas to be charged to monitor the work of Eden Hazard and Willian.
The prospect of Champions League football should motivate Liverpool, knowing their opponent has already won their battle this season. But the maths doesn’t lie – that door will close as well should they likely lose at Stamford Bridge and Manchester United win at Crystal Palace.
Expect Chelsea’s title joy to be further iced with a win. Join us from 12:45am (AEST) as it all unfolds.
Vas Venkatramani
Guest
Hi Megan, as a Liverpool fan, I don't think so. Liverpool are in real danger of becoming a relic club - an entity that tries to live off its past rather than offer glory for its future. The overall approach screams of a place that can't detach itself from a glorious past when planning its future. The stadium expansion is one good step by the owners, but the lessons of this season show that the club needs to amend its strategy on two counts - one youth development, and two, big names. Players like Juan Mata, Angel di Maria and Falcao went to United without Champions League, and Liverpool can do the same too. I just don't know if they can do it with Brendan Rodgers, who does not have the managerial pull to convince topline players to come to play for him. For this reason, I would encourage Liverpool to go after Klopp. He has the pull to get big names to come to Liverpool. Plus he has a proven record in nurturing young players through the academy to the senior team.
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
FULLTIME: Chelsea 1-1 Liverpool Indeed, it ends a stalemate. Players shake hands and hug, as all fans can be content with what they've seen. It's been a fighting display from Liverpool, as they earn a point at the Bridge. Champions League is still mathematically a possibility, but highly unlikely via United's six point advantage, and a sizeable goal difference lead as well. I'll be back next week to bring to you that game featuring Manchester United, where they can effectively secure their place in the European elite with a win over Arsenal next Monday morning. Join us then. At fulltime at Stamford Bridge, it finished Chelsea 1-1 Liverpool. Good morning!
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'90+3: Stamford Bridge breaking into the strains of "You'll Never Walk Alone" by the visiting fans, as Ibe has a superb piece of skill to confuse Luis, before Terry sets the youngster in his place. This game looks to be heading to a stalemate, but what a good performance this has been from Liverpool. You never leave Stamford Bridge with a point in disgrace, and Chelsea's performance has been a bit underpar from their championship effort, but their moment of class told when all inside Stamford Bridge applauded Steven Gerrard off. That will be a lasting memory for all inside this stadium, as it will be for the departing Liverpool captain. 1-1
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'90: Now Henderson with an effort wide! Snap shot as it fell to the vice-captain, who couldn't cue it straight. Can Liverpool keep their faint Champions League dream alive? Four added minutes called. 1-1
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'89: Deflection! Close there for Coutinho, got a run on and shot outside the box. Deflection from Cahill was heavy, and heavy enough that even the wrong-footed Courtois could turn around in time and gather! The pace was completely shorn off, and that was the saving grace for Chelsea there! 1-1
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'83: Henderson's free kick is too deep, and it is harmlessly let go by blue shirts for a goalkick. Final change is made by Chelsea, with Loic Remy off to applause as Cuadrado replaces him. 1-1
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'81: Corner earnt by Sterling with Courtois having to deflect away a shot aimed for his near post. It's taken, but is too deep, as Lovren tries the overhead kick that is wide. Juan Cuadrado being readied as Chelsea's final change, and now the most blatant of shirt tugs is committed by Filipe Luis as he lost possession lazily to Ibe, and accepts the yellow as per natural punishment. 1-1
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'79: What a moment this is. Final change by Brendan Rodgers, and he is withdrawing Steven Gerrard. The news comes up, and the initial boos of derision inside Stamford Bridge is quickly replaced by universal applause amongst blue and red. He is clapped off Stamford Bridge, and by both his and opposing manager. The "dear enemy" of Chelsea Football Club is off Stamford Bridge for the final time, and Lucas replaces him. Wonderful touching moment here. 1-1
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'78: Cleared by Henderson, and Chelsea beginning to increase their possession stakes, as Liverpool losing some of the fluency earlier in the half. Now Hazard is again causing havoc amongst the defence, and again, a smart challenge by Lovren is all that stops the Belgian. He is just a class above is Eden Hazard. 1-1
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'76: Fabregas gets a chance to shoot in midfield, but is blocked by Henderson, before the Spaniard again has another go, but it's deflected away for a corner via the most desperate of clearances by Martin Skrtel, who was stretched long to intervene the shot. Corner for Liverpool to defending without Skrtel. 1-1
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'74: Fabregas has a clearway created for himself, as he receives the ball in midfield, and is able to run a swathe through the centre, but Lovren applies enough pressure to force the early shot, and it's easily cleaned up by Mignolet. 1-1
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'71: Another change for Liverpool. Adam Lallana's outing on his 27th birthday is done, as on comes Jordon Ibe. Clearly Brendan Rodgers identifying pace as the key to unlocking this Chelsea defence. Another straight swap, as the rather youngish looking trio of Ibe, Sterling and Sinclair lead Liverpool's line. 1-1
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'68: Off goes Rickie Lambert for Sinclair in a straight swap. Terry and Cahill may have a tougher challenge in dealing with Sinclair's pace than what Lambert offered. 1-1
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'67: Game is settling into a steady even rhythm, as Brendan Rodgers also using this game to try his untested, as Jerome Sinclair getting ready for action. 1-1
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'62: Fabregas dispenses with the face mask, which seems to be a one-half only deal for him. Now Matic heads clear, and is standing a titan over the diminutive Coutinho. 1-1
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'61: Corner cleared by Luis, and eventually, a cross is curled in by Sterling, and dummied by Lambert, while Skrtel unleashes a cross-body shot that is high high high! May have preferred it to be the other way around. 1-1
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'59: To give Liverpool credit, they have been wonderfully composed since going down to Terry's early goal. Now Lallana earns a corner via the deflection from Gary Cahill. Change to be made for Chelsea, the second for them, as Ruben Loftus-Cheek's first start gets one hour of work, and off he goes, and on comes the defensive Nemanja Matic. Clearly Mourinho wants to assert some control in midfield. 1-1
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'59: Sterling has been a moving target for many blue shirts today, and this time, it's Mikel who goes in late, and accepts his yellow card as just punishment. 1-1
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'59: Fabregas' corner is cleared well enough, as Chelsea begin to regain their touch after a sluggish opening this half. 1-1
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'55: Lovely long diagonal ball from Gerrard finds Johnson who made the run, but the left back's delivery into the box is unimaginative, and Courtois gathers easily. Now Willian at the other end! He remained onside and unleashes an angled drive that Mignolet gets the faintest of touches to as it poked wide, but Marriner doesn't pick that up, and calls a goalkick. Not sure either player or goalkeeper will be happy about that. Registers as a shot off target for the Brazilian, while denies Mignolet the credit for a smart save. Still, Liverpool are spared a corner. Now it will be a Chelsea corner, as Willian again tries an angled shot, but Skrtel clears. 1-1