This is all a very familiar, isn’t it?

While we will be without a dishevelled, gilet-sporting Jose Mourinho parading down the Anfield touchline, you can’t help but notice plenty of parallels between this fixture and the 2014 offering; where Liverpool blew their chance of winning a first ever Premier League trophy at the hands of Mark Schwarzer’s Chelsea.

And Steven Gerrard slipped. Remember that?

Almost five years later to the day, and Liverpool’s trophy cabinet has remained untouched. Surely, after all they’ve been through this season, they can’t slip-up against Chelsea again? That, combined with Manchester City beating Crystal Palace, would surely leave Klopp kissing the Prem goodbye.

There’s no doubt this is the worst possible time to play Chelsea. A fortnight ago, and this would have a little more than a guaranteed home win, but Chelsea’s rejuvenation—primarily thanks to Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s inclusions (who would have thought?)—means they have a very real chance of getting something from this; don’t forget, this isn’t just about the title race.

Liverpool have dropped points just twice at home this season, although as Spurs showed a couple of weeks ago—before Hugo Lloris decided to chuck one in, anyway—that Klopp’s side can be got at.

Eden Hazard is playing frighteningly well, and while Liverpool are grinding out result after result, I’m backing a draw.

Chelsea have been really poor away from home this season, but with the magnitude of the occasion; the nerves, the history, the stakes – this is primed for them to turn up and spoil Liverpool’s party once again.

We won’t be seeing Mourinho levels of sh*thousery, but Chelsea still possess the ability to not only frustrate Liverpool, but hurt them as well.

Liverpool haven’t beaten Chelsea in their last eight meetings at Anfield, and though this is the strongest Reds side we’ve seen in many, many years - I believe Maurizio Sarri may well break a few hearts.

Draw - 1pt @ 16/5

Everything points to this being a niggly game.

Chelsea need to suffocate Liverpool’s front three; Liverpool need to somehow stop Eden Hazard.

This might come as a surprise to some considering Liverpool have notched up the fewest yellows in the league (36)—with Chelsea earning 43, the third-fewest—but in these sort of do-or-die affairs, the mask often slips.

My second tip, therefore, is for Antonio Rudiger to be shown a card.

No player on either side has been booked more times than Rudiger (7), and you can be sure he’ll be kept incredibly busy by Mo Salah and co.

Definitely one to consider.

Rudiger to be carded - 1pt @ 11/4

Go on then, let’s have a longshot: Salah and Hazard to score, price-boosted to 10/1.

Salah’s slightly struggled for goals lately (particularly against the top six) – but I wouldn’t be surprised if that changed on Sunday.

That monumentally important goal against Southampton last week would’ve done him the world of good, and four goals in seven against Chelsea is still a good return. It’s a defining moment in Liverpool’s season, and Mo is as good a candidate as any to make a mark.

Hazard, meanwhile, has seven goals in 16 against Liverpool, and there’s really no need to justify his inclusion – he’s just that good.

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Salah + Hazard to score - 1pt @ 10/1