Liverpool have shown, time and time again, that they can make anything happen at Anfield, against any team, in any tournament. And with motivation often the key, we know Jurgen Klopp can find the right words before the game. The Reds have been in good form lately and have been unstoppable in the Europa League, of which they have the final to play in Basel on May 18. In order to maintain peak fitness for this huge occasion, perhaps they will sacrifice the game vs West Bromwich (May 15) and field the reserves at The Hawthorns. But on May 11 Liverpool are expected to go full strength as they host Chelsea.
Liverpool are unbeaten at home since January 17, and a few under par results from Klopp’s team in the BPL have been born purely out of the fact that they’ve made the Europa League their priority. The 1:3 loss to Swansea when the German fielded Smith, Stewart, Chirivella and Ward in goal, proves this. However, there should be no doubting the motivation against Chelsea at home. It’s a special rivalry, one that has been very much alive since May 3, 2005 when that ghost goal of Luis Garcia in the Champions League semi-final caused mass controversy.
Chelsea have nothing to play for (only to defend their 9th place from Stoke City), but, as there is definitely some rivalry between these two, they will want to perform well and end the season on some form of a high. This being said, we saw the Blues against Sunderland (2:3) and it seems that the team is desperately waiting for next season with another manager. And to top it all, John Terry will miss the game due to suspension.
Just two of the last six Liverpool home matches ended with less than three goals in total (1:1, 4:1, 4:3, 2:2, 3:0 and 2:0). With this in mind, and in order to keep good momentum ahead of their final, I think we can expect at least two goals from the Reds, especially with the likes of Sturridge, Coutinho and Firmino on the pitch.