Liverpool vs. Chelsea: Date, Time, Live Stream, TV Info and Preview
The Premier League nears a scintillating climax as Jose Mourinho's Chelsea attempt to keep their title hopes alive when they visit champions-elect Liverpool on Sunday.
The sleeping giants from Merseyside have not won the league in a generation, but will be just four points away from their first-ever Premier League crown with a victory over the West London club.
Liverpool currently sit on top of the table on 80 points, per BBC Sport, five points clear of second-place Chelsea.
With Mourinho having one thought on the second leg of his Champions League semi-final next week, this could play out to be a major advantage to Brendan Rodgers, as he looks to find a way of getting over the finish line.
Here is how you can catch the action this weekend:
When: Sunday, April 27, at 2:05 p.m. BST/9:05 p.m. ET
Where: Anfield, Liverpool, U.K.
TV: Sky Sports 1/Sky Sports 1 HD/Sky 3D (U.K. only)/NBC Sports (U.S. only)
Live Stream: Sky Go (U.K. only)/NBC Sports (U.S. only)
Key Storylines
Mourinho to Field a Weak Team?
It is amazing to think that Chelsea may concede the title this weekend without as much as a whimper, as Mourinho prioritises the club's Champions League ambitions above that of the Premier League.
After a run of disappointing results domestically, which has allowed Liverpool a cushion at the top, the Blues' manager has admitted he may field a weakened side at Anfield.
Jack De Menezes of The Independent wrote on Wednesday that The Special One said he would be prepared to field a team filled with young players, blaming those that schedule the matches and absolving himself of responsibility.
He quotes Mourinho saying:
"If we have to play the kids, we play the kids. I can't decide by myself. That's a decision I have to listen to the club. I'm just the manager and I have to listen to the club. The fact that the match is on Sunday, I think puts the problem not in my hands but in the hands of those who decide the game should be on Sunday and not Saturday or Friday.
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Paul Hayward from The Telegraph had some strong words on Mourinho's possible actions this weekend, firmly laying the blame at the Portuguese manager's door.
He wrote in his column:
"Mourinho has steadily displayed the kind of persecution complex he paraded in Spain, where he set out to prove that a mystical underground power network was helping Barcelona at every turn. Back in England, he has veered from praising our fairness and sportsmanship last summer to seeing conspiracies everywhere.
His feuds with Mike Dean, Mike Riley and Chris Foy on the refereeing front indicate a need to divert the public’s gaze from bad defeats and bolster his file of excuses.
"
Hayward is correct in his assessment of Mourinho, and it will be a catastrophe if this exciting season ends with Liverpool being handed the title because of Chelsea's lack of respect for the championship.
On one hand it is understandable that Mourinho believes his team's best chances lie in the Champions League, but to be so brazen about his possible team selection at Anfield at the most important junction of the race is completely distasteful and unsatisfactory.
If Mourinho does not compete against Liverpool at the weekend, his overall approval rating in English football could be terminally damaged.
The League Championship Returns to Merseyside
It is something that no one would have bet on a few months ago. However, somehow Rodgers has taken his Liverpool side, who only looked slightly better than average last season, and turned them into probable domestic title-winners.
The Anfield club have a perfect record from their last 11 matches, collecting all 33 points on offer, per Squawka. It is a remarkable run of form that has seen them rocket above a set of clubs that have spent much more money than they have.
In Luis Suarez, the Reds have a player who will compete for the next Ballon d'Or. After what looked like the end of his Liverpool career this time last season, he has climbed to new heights and dragged the team upwards with him.
The supporting cast of Daniel Sturridge and Raheem Sterling have also had exceptional seasons and played their parts to full effect.
Liverpool are now just inches away from crossing the line and creating history, and a win against Chelsea will all but see the champagne bottles being cracked open in celebration.
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