With the Premier League returning this weekend following the international break, Liverpool welcome Chelsea to Anfield, knowing a win will keep them top of the table. They currently sit top of the Premier League, but with Manchester City set to take on Wolves prior to Liverpool's clash with Chelsea, Arne Slot's side could find themselves second prior to kick-off.
'Liverpool wanted to sign me - but I agreed to stay and broke my leg the next day'
Much was made this summer when Chelsea opted to continue their bizarre business from previous transfer windows, with plenty of players arriving at Stamford Bridge to give Enzo Maresca the unenviable balancing act of building a coherent team. However, the former Leicester City boss has done just that.
Despite their mad summer, Chelsea sit sixth in the Premier League, with a win over Liverpool potentially seeing them rise to as high as second in the table. Maresca was named Premier League manager of the month for September too after guiding the Blues to wins over Bournemouth, West Ham and Brighton.
And writing in his pre-match programme notes ahead of Chelsea's visit, Reds skipper Van Dijk believes Maresca's side will be a tough test for Liverpool when they face off at Anfield. "I know that Anfield will be bouncing for the visit of Chelsea, and for sure we will look to draw on that noise and atmosphere as we go for all three points," wrote Van Dijk.
"We all have our part to play in what will be a very tough game. I have been impressed by Chelsea's progress this season. I said a few weeks ago, after our win at Wolverhampton Wanderers, that they have gone under the radar a little bit within the media, but we will certainly not be underestimating them.
Cole Palmer has become one of the standout stars in the Premier League since joining Chelsea last season
'Liverpool wanted to sign me - but I agreed to stay and broke my leg the next day'
"A lot has been made about the number of changes they have made as a club during the past couple of seasons, but one thing that is absolutely certain is that they have a squad which is full of very good footballers, players who can cause problems for any team. They also have a manager who has a clear idea of how he wants his team to play, and who looks like he is starting to get the best out of the talent at his disposal.
"That means, then, that we will need to be fully focused and prepared to fight from the first whistle for the points. We have had some good days and nights against Chelsea in recent years, but that counts for nothing this weekend. We need to be ready, and we need to be somewhere near our best if we are to get the result we want.
Liverpool.com say: "While there may have been some doubts about whether Enzo Maresca would be able to build a coherent side out of the huge squad he has at his disposal, the Italian has done just that. Chelsea look to have a settled starting XI, spearheaded by the likes of Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke, who have all been in excellent form this season for the Blues. Chelsea will pose a real threat to Liverpool on Sunday and the Reds will need to be at their best to come away with three points from the clash."
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