Chelsea vs Liverpool prediction, odds and preview

After a disappointing 2022/23 season, Chelsea and Liverpool will be looking for a better start to the new season when they face each other in their opening Premier League fixture.

The game will also serve as a new beginning for Mauricio Pochettino, who was appointed Chelsea’s new manager in the summer.

The two English heavyweights will want to put last season’s dismal top-flight performances behind them and create a stronger fight for at least a top-four finish this season.

The Argentine has orchestrated a huge departure of first-team players this summer, garnering over £200 million in the process, with prominent signings including Christopher Nkunku, Nicolas Jackson, Axel Disasi, Robert Sanchez, and Lesley Ugochukwu, with more set to join at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea had an unblemished pre-season and returned from their tour of the United States as champions of the inaugural Premier League Summer Series, having collected seven points from three games against Brighton & Hove Albion, Newcastle United, and Fulham to top the six-team table.

Liverpool, like Chelsea, will be without Champions League football this season for the first time since Jurgen Klopp’s first season in charge nine years ago, as they shift their focus to Europa League football after finishing fifth in the Premier League last season, four points behind fourth-placed Newcastle.

The Reds were unable to mount a genuine charge for any major silverware last season, instead having seen recent enemies Manchester City win a historic treble and rivals Manchester United take the EFL Cup after taking their pursuit of an unprecedented quadruple all the close to the wire in 2021-22.

Liverpool’s failure to add new midfielders last season ultimately backfired, but Klopp has subsequently overseen a rebuilding effort.

The game at Stamford Bridge is only set to be an opening game for both Liverpool and Chelsea but it could also have a mental effect as to how the two teams go into the rest of the season.