Liverpool v Chelsea

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is expected to have a pain-killing injection in order to play, after fracturing his toe. Rafael Benitez is set to rotate his squad with Jermaine Pennant, Dirk Kuyt Xabi Alonso and Daniel Agger returning.

Chelsea team news to follow later.

Liverpool (from): Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Agger, Riise, Arbeloa, Pennant, Gerrard, Sissoko, Alonso, Mascherano, Babel, Benayoun, Hyypia, Crouch, Kuyt, Torres, Voronin, Itandje.

BIG-MATCH FACTS
Two of the so-called "big four" clash for the first time this season, and something must give. Both clubs have 100% records in the Premier League. Liverpool opened with a 1-2 win at Aston Villa, and then were involved in a Champions League qualifier midweek; beating Toulouse 0-1 in the first leg in France.

Chelsea have six points out of six, with a 3-2 home victory over Birmingham, and 1-2 win at Reading. The former double Premier League champions are on the longest current unbeaten run in this league of 16 matches, and have not lost on their league travels since last season's trip to Anfield.

Liverpool have only won their first two league matches of a season once since the Premier League was reduced to 20 clubs; Aston Villa (a) and Southampton (h) were defeated in August 2002.

The Merseysiders have won their opening HOME fixture in the last three Premier League seasons, and have not lost their initial league game at Anfield since 17 August 2003, when Chelsea won 1-2.
These clubs have met 15 times in three seasons.

CLUB FORM
LIVERPOOL

1. The Champions League runners-up secured third place in the Premier League for the second successive season with a 2-2 draw, home to relegated Charlton on the last day.
2. Been crowned champions of England an unmatched 18 times, although Manchester United are catching up fast (16 titles).
3. Yet to win the Premier League trophy. Their most recent title was 1989-90, under Kenny Dalglish.
4. One of 10 founder members of the Premier League competing this season.
5. Experiencing the third longest unbroken stint of top flight football of 46 seasons from 1962-63; beaten only by Arsenal (82 seasons) and Everton (54).
6. The only club whose players were not shown one red card in Premier League competition last season.
7. Won their opening HOME fixture in each of the last three Premier League seasons; against Manchester City, Sunderland and West Ham.
8. Manchester United were the only club to leave Anfield with maximum points last season.
9. Not lost in any competition at home since Barcelona defeated them 0-1 on 6 March in the Champions League. Since then they've won five and drawn one at Anfield, of which three wins and one draw were in the Premier League.
CHELSEA


1. Won eight and lost just one of their first 10 league games last season.
2. Won just one league game from a losing position last season, but already doubled that this term, having conceded the opening goal in both their fixtures.
3. Won 11 and drawn five Premier League games since losing 0-2 to Liverpool in last season's corresponding fixture on 20 January.
4. Not beaten in eight away league games. Won six and drawn two on the road, since the reverse at Anfield. One of only three away league defeats last term; the others were at Middlesbrough and Tottenham.

KEY PLAYER NOTES
LIVERPOOL

Steven GERRARD has scored Liverpool's only Premier League goal so far. The only other Reds' player to net is Andriy VORONIN in Champions League qualifying.
Peter CROUCH was Liverpool's leading scorer last season with 18.
Jermaine PENNANT made most appearances for the Reds (51).
If he plays:-
Dirk KUYT will be making his 50th appearance in a Liverpool shirt.

CHELSEA
Chelsea's five goals in the Premier League have been scored by five different players.
If he plays:-
Michael ESSIEN will be making his 100th appearance in a Chelsea shirt.

HEAD TO HEAD
Chelsea lost last season's Premier League visit to Liverpool 2-0, but won their three previous trips to Anfield.
Home and awayLeague (inc PL): Liverpool 58 wins, Chelsea 44, Draws 26Prem: Liverpool 11 wins, Chelsea 14, Draws 5
at Liverpool onlyLeague (inc PL): Liverpool 43 wins, Chelsea 8, Draws 13Prem: Liverpool 10 wins, Chelsea 3, Draws 2

LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME
Liverpool 2-0 Chelsea 20 January 2007 - Ref: Rob StylesLiverpool scorers: Kuyt 4, Pennant 18

REFEREE
Rob Styles (Waterlooville, Hampshire)