Liverpool vs. Chelsea: Date, Time, Live Stream, TV Info and Preview
Brendan Rodgers saw fit to rest his key Liverpool players against Real Madrid in the Champions League, in order to be ready to battle the might of Premier League leaders Chelsea.
Jose Mourinho's troops march to Anfield in an attempt to further extend their lead at the top of the table, with the Special One hoping to pour more misery on the plate of the Merseyside club.
The Reds are already 12 points behind the Blues in the standings following the West London club's unbeaten start to the campaign.
TOP NEWS
Madrid Fines Players $590K 😲
'Mbappé Out' Petition Gaining Steam 😳
Star-Studded World Cup Ad 🤩
Here is how you can watch this pulsating Premier League fixture, with kick-off time and stream information:
When: Saturday, Nov. 8, at 12:45 p.m. GMT/7:45 a.m. ET
Where: Anfield, Liverpool
TV Info: Live on BT Sport 1 & HD (UK only), Fox (US only)
Live Stream: BT Sport App (UK only) NBC Sports Live Extra (US only)
Brendan Rodgers' Madrid Decision to Pay Off?
When the team sheets were announced at the Bernabeu on Tuesday night, the football world looked on with a modicum of puzzlement.
Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers had decided to rest (or drop) a host of his key players for a match that one could fully describe as "marquee." The Anfield club went on to lose the fixture 1-0 and not quite take the drubbing many predicted they would.
The decision to make wholesale changes was either very brave, as many pundits proclaimed, or incredibly disrespectful to the Champions League as a competition, and Liverpool's own travelling fans—who spend thousands to watch their team away from home.
The manager defended his decision after the match, per BBC Sport:
"I didn't see this as a big showcase game where I had to play the so-called names. It might have seemed a gamble but for me it wasn't."
But the Liverpool boss took a barrage of criticism from the press for his actions in what was seen as a defeatist move by the Irishman.
Gary Lineker led the charge in public against the team rotation and was blunt in his assessment:
Rodgers' opinion seems to suggest he sees the match with Chelsea as a more important affair than Liverpool's trip to the Spanish capital in Europe's elite competition.
It is a strange train of thought for a football club that has craved to be dining at the top table of football once again, after a significant absence and starvation.
But in many ways, Rodgers is correct in his decision. He undoubtedly will be judged by his paymasters on his final position in the Premier League, with the Champions League purely being a bonus compared to the primary objective of finishing in the top four.
However, the decision to drop his best talent will mean nothing if Chelsea beat Liverpool on Saturday. At this time, the Reds are not in the same league as Mourinho's men. Chelsea are playing electrifying football, and it feels like they have only produced the tip of the iceberg in accordance with their powers and skill.
Rodgers will be fearful that Liverpool's season will drown in a puddle of disappointment and prove that last year was a Luis Suarez-inspired fluke. But if the Reds can show some resolute play against the league leaders and prove their doubters wrong, their manager will feel justified in his recent decision-making process.
Match Preview
Mourinho seems to enjoy trips to Anfield—for the drama always boils over when the Portuguese manager arrives in town. Last season, the Blues destroyed Liverpool's title hopes as Steven Gerrard slipped and allowed Demba Ba to score one of the year's most infamous goals.
This year, things seem very different. Chelsea appear to have found a new gear with their summer signings, and Mourinho once again has the team to beat at his disposal.
The Chelsea boss ramped up the hype before his fixture at Anfield, criticising Rodgers for fielding an understrength side in Madrid, per ESPN:
"I don't speak about Liverpool. I speak about myself. If one day I go to a game and I don't feel I can win, maybe I don't go. Normally, against the most difficult opponents, normally I will try to go with my best team.
"
Chelsea should have Diego Costa ready for the tie after his run of minor injury which has seen him miss vital minutes for his team, including the last-minute dropping of two points at Old Trafford.
The Spanish international has been in electric form since his move to the Premier League, scoring an impressive nine goals in his eight Premier League matches, per WhoScored.com.
This is a match Liverpool desperately need to win—not because they are viable contenders for Manchester City's crown, but because their form has been toxic since Suarez left for Barcelona. Rodgers has gone from a coach who plays exciting football with dynamic tactics to one who has put a protective leash around his team's neck.
If the Reds cannot find their way out of their current black hole there is every chance Rodgers might not have the Anfield hot seat next season.
