LIVERPOOL VS CHELSEA PREVIEW

The two bitter rivals do battle on Saturday lunchtime with Chelsea aiming to close the gap on leaders Manchester United and Liverpool looking to record a rare win over one of the top sides.

Jose Mourinho enjoys a 100 per cent record against Liverpool in the Premiership having won all five of his previous contests, while Rafa Benitez will be looking to get one over the Portuguese tactician.

The Reds are unbeaten at home this season and they are currently the form team in the Premiership having lost just one of their last 11 league outings.

Petr Cech is set to hand Chelsea a massive boost by returning to the side for the first time since suffering his horrific head injury last October.

The Czech Republic international has been declared fit to face Liverpool and Mourinho must decide whether or not to throw the giant keeper straight back into the deep end at Anfield.

Chelsea go into the game without influential midfielder Claude Makelele as he is suspended, but Ashley Cole is available after serving a ban.

Andrei Shevchenko remains doubtful with a hamstring problem which forced him to miss last weekend's win over Wigan.

John Terry and Joe Cole remain absent for the reigning champions because of injury.

Benitez has a decision to make in attack after he started Peter Crouch, Craig Bellamy and Dirk Kuyt against Watford last weekend.

The Spaniard is expected to revert to two up front with all three players battling for the two spots.

Jermaine Pennant is pushing for a return to the starting line-up, while John Arne Riise is expected to replace Fabio Aurelio in the starting XI.

The Reds are still without long-term casualties Luis Garcia, Mohamed Sissoko, Harry Kewell, Bolo Zenden and Mark Gonzalez.

louis' comments..

Pre-match comments is always not important in any match. I believe, for this match, it's no exception. All I can say, the result we should get is a win. 3 points. A draw and lost will be a bad result for us.

Come on REDS! Bring on Chelsea..

you'll never walk alone..

cheers.