Chelsea vs Liverpool EPL 08-09: Preview and Live Score

High-flying Chelsea is going to take on confident Liverpool at Stamford Bridge in a lunch-time showdown of English Premier League today (26 October 2008). This is the most attractive premier league encounter of this season so far with the top two teams of league table facing each other in a seemingly mouthwatering battle at the Chelsea home ground Stamford Bridge. Chelsea’s undefeated run of 86 premier league matches has made Stamford Bridge a formidable fortress in Europe, but Liverpool’s undefeated run so far this season indicates a stern test for Chelsea today.

Match: Chelsea vs Liverpool; English Premier League 08-09

Date: 26 October 2008, Sunday

Venue: Stamford Bridge, London, England

Kick off: 13:30 BST (British Standard Time)

Formidable, impeccable, extraordinary, astounding are the words that might go with the recent form of Chelsea. The way they got over the premier league opponents over the last few weeks, overcoming a string of injury woes, can only be defined by these words. Chelsea missed a number of regular team members including Captain John Terry, Ricardo Carvalho, Ashley Cole, Joe Cole, Deco, Michael Ballack, Michael Essien and Didier Drogba through injury.

Manager Luiz Felipe Scolari had to feature a second string team for about five-six games, but that did not affect their performance as Chelsea remained atop the league point table with 20 points from 8 matches. There are many who believe Chelsea looked more formidable without their star players as the Blues completed six clean sheets in a row. Now, with most of the injured players returned to action, Chelsea seems to be more confidence in the lead up to the high-profile clash with Liverpool. However, still Chelsea will be without Midfielders Michael Essien, Michael Ballack and striker Didier Drogba, but this is unlikely Chelsea could suffer much for these injury woes, given their recent form and confidence in evidence.

Liverpool also has lots of reasons to be inspired ahead of the trip to West London today. The Merseyside club has achieved their best start to premier league for the last few seasons. With 20 points from 8 outings, Liverpool secures the second place in the league table only on goal difference. They are still undefeated so far this season and the Reds showed the kind of mental strength they possess now in their previous two league games, pulling off two excellent come-from-back victories- first at Manchester City, then against Everton at home.

However, Liverpool is most likely to miss two of their key forwards- Fernando Torres and Summer signing Robbie Keane- as both of them are yet to recover fully from their respective injuries. Torres suffered a hamstring injury while representing Spain in world cup qualification, while Robbie Keane was limped off the field with a groin injury during Liverpool’s 1-1 draw at Atletico Madrid last week in a Champions League encounter after scoring the only goal for Liverpool in the match. However, there is report out in the media claims that manager Rafael Benitez might take a risk by featuring Torres who is in his way to full recovery. However, I think, it would not a good decision to play a near-to-fit Torres in a demanding match like this, because it might risk him missing a number of matches in the days to come and Liverpool can not afford to miss perhaps their best striker for a string of matches in their pursuit to retaining premier league after 18 years.

However, the good new for Liverpool fans is that midfield duo Captain Steven Gerrard and Spanish international Xabi Alonso are available for the match as they recovered their minor problems picked up in the drawn match against Atletico Madrid. So, Liverpool may not have any problem in the midfield, though a void could have been felt in their attacking line up if Fernando Torres and Robbie Keane both miss out for the match.

Online Live Score and Updates

Here, I am giving some online live score and update websites from where you can get the live score and updates of the match:

Live Score

Goalzz

Live Football Scores

Goal.com

Footie Scorez

There are many who consider Chelsea as favorite against Liverpool, thinking of Chelsea’s recent form and formidable home record in the premier league. However, you should not forget the fact that Liverpool was not as flawless in the last few seasons as they have been so far this season. They are continuously picking up three points, though not in classy fashion, but showing their mental strength. Their home victory over Manchester United last month was their first home victory over the Red Devils in seven years. So, I think, Chelsea’s home record will go though another stern test today against a Liverpool side who seems to have no lack of confidence, but have lack of fear. So, I predict an exciting, hard-fought match today.