It was the match that swung the Premier League title pendulum away from Liverpool late last season, but this time it is Chelsea who are looking favourites for the crown as they visit Anfield.
To garner an insight into the minds of the two sets of fans we asked members of the respective supporters' clubs to share with us their predictions, likely line-ups and players to watch.
Do you agree or have they missed the mark? Use #360Fans to share your thoughts with us.
Liverpool head into this game against rivals Chelsea with last season’s heartbreak still fresh in their minds.
Dan Watson – Dubai Reds, Liverpool UAE Supporters' Club
Fans and players alike know that had the Reds got the result against Chelsea at Anfield with just a couple of games to go it would most probably of handed the club a first league title in 24 years.
Chelsea have started this campaign strongly while Liverpool have struggled to find the form of last season that saw them run Manchester City so close. Brendan Rodgers opted to “rest” players in the week away to Real Madrid but the players that came in performed admirably and gave a decent account of themselves against the reigning European champion; it is hard not to look back at the game and feel there was a point there for the taking.
– #360win: Meet John Barnes and Jerzy Dudek
More familiar opposition will provide another stern test this weekend and to some extent there is an added expectancy due to the fact there are plenty of fresh legs after Tuesday. The majority of the rested players will return to the squad but there are certainly a few players knocking on the door for another start. Kolo Toure was superb in Madrid, as were Lucas Leiva and Emre Can. Fabio Borini never stopped running and there will be plenty hoping Rodgers plays two up top for the visit of Chelsea as the lone striker system doesn’t seem to be working.
To get a win against Chelsea, the Reds need to make it hard for them to play their game, nullifying the creative threat of Eden Hazard and Cesc Fabregas will be key, Liverpool need a catalyst to kick start their Premier League campaign and gather some momentum over the next few months. Beating Chelsea at Anfield would be a huge result and would be a lift to everybody, and with revenge on the mind Liverpool might just do it.
Predicted result: A hard fought 1-1 draw .
Possible line-up: (4-2-3-1) Mignolet, Moreno, Johnson, Lovren, Skrtel, Gerrard, Henderson, Coutinho, Sterling, Can, Ballotelli,
Liverpool's Player to watch: Steven Gerrard. Last year’s disappointment of not winning the Premier League title so late in the season will still play on the skipper’s mind and he will be determined to set the record straight. He can control the game and drive his team mates to get a result.
Where to watch: Join the Dubai Reds to watch the game at the Goodfellas Sports Bar in the Ramee Rose hotel in Tecom. We gather here for all games in the season and we are renowned for creating a great atmosphere and being very welcoming to members and new members alike.
Toby Young – UAE Chelsea Supporters' Club
The last few weeks have seen Chelsea drop points at Manchester United and struggle away from home to both Shrewsbury in the League Cup and Maribor in the Champions League; to come away from Anfield with maximum points the team will have to improve markedly. Although some suggest Liverpool are not the force of last season, they are in the process of integrating a number of new players – who in time will click and no doubt prove to be a formidable force.
Chelsea look to be able to count on the returning Ramires as well as Diego Costa, who has managed nearly two full games since his return from injury. Naturally he is important to the team, but almost more so is the form of Oscar, Eden Hazard and Cesc Fabregas. Despite Hazards penalty miss in Slovenia he looked in fine fettle as he turned players inside out, ultimately winning the penalty he then failed to convert. Elsewhere, Cesar Azpilicueta is expected to recover from injury (and suspension), with Filipe Luis dropping to the bench.
Liverpool will be looking to get back into their rhythm after resting half of their regular starters for the midweek defeat to Real Madrid. It can be expected that Balotelli will return to form shortly, and as many Chelsea fans will attest, strikers in poor form often have a habit of coming good against the Blues.
Predicted result: Ever the pessimist, I am going for a 1-1 draw – following a familiar pattern of away games in the last few weeks.
Possible line-up: (4-1-4-1): Courtois, Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta, Matic, Oscar, Ramires , Fabregas, Hazard, Costa
Chelsea’s player to watch: Nemanja Matic. From shepherding opposition players to breaking up play with innocuous looking tackles (and fouls) he has excelled throughout the season so far. There is a dynamism to his play that seemed to be missing from the Chelsea team during the early part of last season before his return from Benfica. Although he can do more than just the basics, he is often at his best when looking to play the ball to one of the triumvirate of Oscar, Hazard or Fabregas.
Where to watch: The Official UAE Chelsea Supporters Club will be watching the game live at Bar Loca in the Dubai Marine Beach Resort and Spa with the kick off at 16.45 UAE time. If a game is on live television, we will be there. We can be found on Facebook at UAECSC, and on Twitter at @UAECSC
