Liverpool resume their season with a tough fixture at home to Chelsea on Sunday when the Premier League returns this coming weekend.
The Reds sit top of the table having won all but one of their matches so far, while the Blues are also enjoying a strong start to the campaign and are currently fourth.
Both teams have changed coaches since their last meeting in the Carabao Cup final eight months ago, with Arne Slot taking on the enormous task of replacing Jurgen Klopp on Merseyside while Mauricio Pochettino made way for Enzo Maresca in west London.
Liverpool won their last six games in all competitions prior to the October international break, including three in the Premier League as they swiftly put the shock home defeat to Nottingham Forest behind them.
The Reds boast the meanest defence in the top flight, with a miserly two goals conceded in seven matches so far, and they’ve already racked up six clean sheets this season.
Chelsea are actually on a slightly longer unbeaten run (seven games), although their own slip-up at home to Forest in their most recent outing ended a sequence of five successive wins.
They’ve actually been much better on their travels in the Premier League, with a 100% record in away matches but just one win in four at Stamford Bridge, which might be a slightly concerning omen for Liverpool.
Both teams go into the match in flying form, with this fixture certainly representing Liverpool’s toughest test of the season so far as they face four of the current top six between now and mid-November.
Cole Palmer’s incredible four-goal first half blitz against Brighton, added to his haul of 25 goals from last term, pinpoint him as the obvious target for the Reds to try and nullify if they’re to preserve their formidable defensive record.
Meanwhile, Bournemouth went into the international break following a run of three defeats in four, failing to score in each of those defeats. That run has sent the Cherries down to 13th in the table, while things could get even worse this weekend.
Bournemouth lost nine of their 10 clashes with the top five last season, including home and away losses to Arsenal. With the Gunners coming into this in fine form, they’re expected to add to the Cherries’ struggles.
Arsenal have a few injury issues hanging over them, but they’re expected to bring back some key names for this encounter. Kai Havertz missed Germany’s October internationals, while Bukayo Saka pulled out of the England squad due to injury.
Both are expected to start at the Vitality, alongside Gabriel Martinelli.
