- Team form: Liverpool have won four of their last five games in all competitions (L1).
- Opponents form: Chelsea have won three of their last five (D1, L1).
- Prediction: The Blues are marginal favourites but the Reds are very capable of nicking it at Anfield.
Press v possession
Liverpool and Chelsea are old adversaries and this looks set to be a close but exciting cup matchup as the Reds press up against the Blues' possession game at Anfield.
Andoni Iraola's side have been a high-press, high-tempo Liverpool since he took over in July 2026 and they like to get through the thirds quickly by playing direct soccer. That can unsettle the opposition into making rash decisions and they have certainly been rattling some teams recently. One of their three straight wins was a 7-3 'aggregate' thriller away to LASK Linz, although they followed that with a solid 2-1 victory at Brentford and a 4-3 home shootout with Villarreal.
Blues have been wobbly away from home
Tactical approach
Xabi Alonso has a similar time to be in charge of Chelsea – since 1 July 2026 – and his philosophy is very different. The Blues like to control possession, can change shape on a dime to create numerical superiority or superiority, and like to play vertically in stages.
Recent form
The visitors come into this game off the back of back-to-back wins – a 5-1 thrashing of Bournemouth at home and a 2-0 victory at Everton – that followed a 3-0 defeat away to Brentford. That makes them three wins, one draw and one defeat in their last five but they have won just two and lost two of their four away games across all competitions. The last head-to-head at Anfield ended 1-1 and Chelsea have failed to win their last two away to the Reds.
Reds can edge it
Liverpool have won two, drawn two and lost one of the last five meetings between these two teams so it's very even at the minute.
But Liverpool's high press and quicker transitions can unsettle Chelsea and make them rush their play, so I think the hosts can nick this game and give us the value.
BTTS is 1.45 and over 2.5 goals is 1.5, so the market is expecting an open game with chances at both ends and Liverpool have scored 11 times in their last six home games so it could be a lively Anfield night.
- Liverpool have seven wins, two draws and one defeat in their last ten in all competitions, so they edge the matchup slightly.
- Chelsea have seven wins, one draw and two defeats in their last ten so the visitors are in good form, too.
- Liverpool are priced at 2.7, Chelsea at 2.26 and the draw at 3.85, so the bookies have the correct order with the Londoners as favourites.
