Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the Premier League meeting between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge. This is one of English football's emerging modern-day rivalries, contested between two sides who have one eye on the title under respective managers Antonio Conte and Jurgen Klopp. It is the hosts who come into the match boasting the better form, having taken 10 points from the first 12 on offer to find themselves sitting second heading into this showdown.

It has been a positive start to life in West London for Conte to say the least, with the Italian coach - renowned more for his defensive tactics than attacking - getting the best out of forward players Eden Hazard and Diego Costa to lay down an early marker in what should be the most entertaining of title races. Opposite number Klopp has picked up from where he left off last season; the Reds earning impressive results against some strong opposition but struggling when it comes to facing the lesser sides.

TEAM NEWS!

CHELSEA XI: Courtois; Ivanovic, Cahill, David Luiz, Azpilicueta; Kante; Willian, Oscar, Matic, Hazard; Costa

LIVERPOOL XI: Mignolet; Clyne, Matip, Lovren, Milner; Henderson, Wijnaldum; Lallana, Coutinho, Mane; Sturridge

We will start by taking a look at the visiting side, because the big news is that Roberto Firmino will play no part this evening due to a minor groin strain. Liverpool's attacking players have been superb at times this season, and even with the Brazilian missing out compatriot Philippe Coutinho can slot right into that three-man attacking midfield to provide the ammunition Daniel Sturridge requires. Sturridge was likely to be the man to make way, only for that Firmino injury to give him a reprieve of sorts.

The Reds' only other change was pretty much expected, as Dejan Lovren has managed to force his way back into contention after missing out against Leicester with an eye injury. The Croat will partner Joel Matip in the heart of defence, with Simon Mignolet again given the nod in goal despite Loris Karius returning to full training this week. James Milner will start at full-back, as Alberto Moreno still cannot be trusted, and Nathaniel Clyne is fit to start down the opposite flank.

In terms of the home side, Conte has brought in David Luiz for his second Chelsea debut in place of the injured John Terry. That is the only change made from the 2-2 draw against Swansea last weekend, meaning no place in the starting lineup yet again for forgotten man Cesc Fabregas, who has had to make do with cameo appearances from the bench. It goes without saying that defensive lynchpin N'Golo Kante will be the most important player on the pitch this evening, tasked with halting Liverpool's free-roaming attacking players.

Diego Costa has started the season in superb form, meanwhile, finding the net six times in his first five games for club and country in a sign that he is back to his best. On paper this is a 4-1-4-1 layout from Chelsea, but we can surely expect that to be more of a classic 4-2-3-1 with Nemanja Matic dropping deep alongside Kante, as the hosts look to prevent Liverpool's deadly forward players - statistically the best in the division as a unit - from finding a way through over the 90 minutes in West London.

BENCH WATCH!

CHELSEA SUBS: Begovic, Aina, Marcos Alonso, Fabregas, Pedro, Moses, Batshuayi

LIVERPOOL SUBS: Karius, Lucas, Stewart, Origi, Moreno, Grujic, Ejaria

Much like at Swansea last weekend, Chelsea have an extremely attacking bench this evening which includes the likes of Michy Batshuayi, Victor Moses, Pedro and the aforementioned Fabregas. Conte needed his back-up options in South Wales when left chasing a goal in the final quarter of the match - which they duly found through Costa - and they could be required here again today. Marcos Alonso joined on deadline day, but is still awaiting his first appearance as a Blues player.

Lucas Leiva is the man to make way from the squad, having filled in a centre-back last weekend in the absence of Lovren. Firmino does not make the squad at all as a result of that injury problem - a real blow for the visiting side. It is a substantially weaker bench than Chelsea's when directly comparing the two, but Klopp does at least have Karius back to full fitness and it will surely only be a matter of weeks before the German is thrown into first-team action.

David Luiz, as expected, comes in for his second Chelsea debut this evening in place of the injured John Terry. A big night for the Brazilian, who was ridiculed for his defensive positioning at time during his first coming in West London, as he partners Gary Cahill in defence. Liverpool make two changes, meanwhile - Dejan Lovren and Philippe Coutinho coming in for Lucas Leiva and the injured Roberto Firmino.

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An impressive start to life at Chelsea for Conte, then, who has started his debut Premier League season with 10 points from the first 12 on offer. Those dropped points did come last time out, though, as the Blues somehow only returned from Swansea with a 2-2 draw despite being so dominant throughout the first half. Conte's men were also a tad fortunate to earn victory against West Ham United on the opening weekend, in truth, and were required to bounce back late on against Watford when inspired by Fabregas from the bench.

Chelsea's only straightforward win so far came here against Burnley, as a below-par visiting side struggled to get out of first gear and set up a result that was only going to end one way. The Blues have certainly not been on Man City's level in terms of efficiency so far, then, but they can climb above the Citizens in the next few hours with three points against Liverpool. For that to happen the Blues will need to make it three home wins on the bounce for the first time since May 2015 - turning Stamford Bridge back into the fortress of old being one of Conte's key tasks when taking over in the summer.

Only Aston Villa won fewer games than Chelsea's five on home soil last season, in fact, showing just how bad things got under both Jose Mourinho and then Guus Hiddink - the latter steadying things but not really pushing the club on as things badly petered out for the final five months or so of the campaign. Things certainly look different under Conte, however, with at least two goals being scored in all four of their opening Premier League fixtures - Costa bagging four of those.

Hazard also looks something close to his 2014-15 form from his starting position out wide, causing some real havoc at times but failing to truly show the dominant streak required in front of goal to see him become an early contender for the Player of the Year award for a second time. It is very much Costa who is at the centre of things at the moment, with Klopp describing him as "a beast" who at times against Swansea was simply "unplayable". The Spain international's tally of four goals was the same amount his found himself on at Boxing Day last year, so he is clearly ready to make up for lost time after admitting recently that a move back to Atletico Madrid in the summer was on his mind.

DID YOU KNOW? Antonio Conte has won his last 21 league games on home soil, and not lost in 30 since suffering defeat to Sampdoria as manager of Juventus in January 2013. Conte won the title in all three of his seasons in Turin, before taking on the Italy job where he enjoyed relative success by reaching the quarter-finals of Euro 2016. Italy actually saw off Spain to make it that far, so it was interesting to hear the ex-Juve chief say this week that Liverpool remind him of that La Roja side.

It has been a nice, gentle run of fixture for Conte to acclimatise himself to English football, but we can expect that to change over the next week or so - starting with tonight's clash against rivals Liverpool. After this match, the Blues take on champions Leicester City at the King Power Stadium in the EFL Cup, before then turning attention to a trip to face Arsenal. It really is a huge period ahead for the West London outfit, who will be targeting four points from these next two league outings.

In terms of the visitors, Klopp will also be happy enough with his side's start to the campaign; seven points from 12 a decent return from a trickier run than their opponents'. The Reds beat Arsenal in a seven-goal thriller on the opening weekend, and also brushed aside champions Leicester with far too much ease last time out. The 1-1 draw at Tottenham Hotspur was also well earned and surely would have been taken pre-match, although the 2-0 defeat to newly-promoted Burnley did show that things are not quite perfect quite yet under the German boss.

Liverpool face another tough test this evening, of course, against a side they will likely be up against in the battle for both a top-four spot and then, potentially, the title. Still a long, long way to go before talk can turn to winning that maiden Premier League crown, but the Reds will fancy their chances if they can come through tonight's match unscathed, as they have a nice run to come - a meeting with Manchester United their only serious challenge on paper in the next 13 outings.

Klopp's men have taken 32 points from the last 17 games, which is a run bettered only by Man United. The former Borussia Dortmund manager's tactics were always going to take time to work, and some questioned whether he was trying too much too soon, but the Reds look in good shape at this moment in time and have the results to show it on the whole. They have also scored 50 goals in the Premier League this year - a tally unmatched by any other team - while hitting three or more goals on eight occasions during that run.

Diego Costa has enjoyed an impressive start to the season for Chelsea, hitting four goals already to prove that Antonio Conte's desperation to keep him at Stamford Bridge this summer was worth it. Costa carries a bad reputation with him, rightly or wrongly, but the stats show that he is the most fouled player in the division this season. Eden Hazard is second in that list, showing that teams have been told to get right into the Blues' faces in order to halt them.

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Liverpool's attacking play is to be commended, but at the opposite end of the field it is not quite the same story. Just the one clean sheet in their last 12 away games - coming at relegated Villa in February - shows that remaining tight at the back is far from a speciality, with a failure to keep a shutout this evening making it nine in a row for the first time in nearly 17 months. If Klopp can get that aspect of Liverpool's game right, then who knows where he can take this side.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS! Chelsea have only beaten Liverpool twice in the last nine league meetings on home soil, losing four of those games. This will be the 175th encounter between the two sides - the Reds winning 75 of those and their opponents 61. It was Klopp who guided his side to victory in the corresponding fixture last season - his first three-point haul upon taking over a few weeks prior - as they came out on top 3-1 on what was another enjoyable afternoon in West London for those travelling fans.

With kickoff now a little under 15 minutes away at Stamford Bridge, let us check out some of the pre-match thoughts from both camps.

Antonio Conte: "I have great difficulty describing other managers but Jurgen is one of the best managers in the world. I don't know him too much, I have only faced him once before in a pre-season match but he is a fantastic manager and I will be glad to see him."

Jurgen Klopp: "[Conte] looks quite emotional, even when they don't score. Obviously he is involved in the game, but that's not the most important thing. The very important thing is he is a great manager, something like the 'Pep Guardiola of Juventus' if you want. He created their special type of play and had a very successful time there and with the national team."

Plenty of mutual respect between the two managers, then, with Klopp interestingly describing his opposite number as the "Pep Guardiola of Juventus" - i.e a man who achieved great success at a previous club and is now looking to enhance that reputation elsewhere. That is the most interesting aspect of this season's Premier League, in many ways, as managers like Klopp, Guardiola, Conte and so many more look to bring tactical lessons across from their respective homelands and integrate them into English football.

REFEREE WATCH! Martin Atkinson is the man in the middle this evening. The experienced official has run the rule over four games so far this season, with his most controversial moment coming earlier this week when awarding PSV Eindhoven the most questionable of penalties against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League. Atkinson officiated four Chelsea games last season, including meetings with Man City and Man United, and also four Liverpool games. One sending off across 46 games shows that he is certainly lenient.

This is just the start of what should be another entertaining weekend of Premier League action, culminating in Sunderland's trip to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday evening. Fourth placed Man United travel to Watford a little earlier in the day, while tomorrow afternoon we get to see leaders Man City play host to Bournemouth and Arsenal lock horns with Hull on Humberside. Chelsea would love to sit back with their feet up, knowing that three points will take them temporarily top.

PREDICTION! A real tough one to call as ever, this. Liverpool have enjoyed their trips here in recent times, in what is a real modern-day rivalry in the Premier League. It is a fixture that has had it all in the past decade or so, starting with a ghost goal in the Champions League semi-final; that Steven Gerrard slip; and also a controversial decision or two. On this occasion I'm going to back the hosts to claim a narrow 1-0 win.

Both sets of players are now out on the pitch, with kickoff around four minutes or so away now. Just a reminder of the teams for you: Two changes for Liverpool - Lucas Leiva and the injured Roberto Firmino making way for Philippe Coutinho and Dejan Lovren - while Chelsea bring in David Luiz for John Terry in their only alteration. Conte has yet to taste defeat as manager of the Blues, but will that change over the next couple of hours?

It has been a near-perfect start to life at Chelsea for manager Antonio Conte, but he faces his toughest task yet against a spirited Liverpool side. The Reds have scored more goals than any other team this calendar year, yet defensively they struggle to keep clean sheets and that could prove their downfall this evening.

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KICKOFF! Chelsea get us up and running at Stamford Bridge, where they have made a positive start. Costa was so nearly slipped through, yet Liverpool quickly mounted a counter and Sturridge's shot slipped under Courtois's body, only for the Belgian to quickly pounce on the loose ball.

Liverpool nearly ahead inside the opening 60 seconds or so, then, with that Sturridge shot from the edge of the box almost trickling over the line when finding a way under the body of Courtois. That is the best attacking moment from either side thus far.

The Reds just looking to keep their foot on the ball at the moment, preventing their opponents from putting together any attacks of their own. Azpilicueta swings in a cross from the left which is easily headed away by Matip inside the box.

Chelsea's attacks a little slower than Liverpool's in these opening seven minutes, which is to be expected really. It is the Blues who are the side on top at the moment, as they look to get Willian and Hazard on the ball in the final third.

We have seen nothing of Luiz so far, which Conte will be delighted about. No doubting the Brazilian's quality, no matter what his critics might say, but he is one of those players that needs to feel his way into a game, Incidentally, his previous debut for Chelsea came in a home defeat to Liverpool!

Both teams showing plenty of intent in the opening throes of the match but, a Sturridge shot aside less than two minutes in, we have not seen a great deal in front of goal. Liverpool well set up to break but Chelsea not leaving any gaps when getting back.

A big night for Clyne, who is tasked with getting forward to help with attacking moves as well as covering at the back - that is his role, after all! The Englishman earns his side a corner with 13 minutes on the clock, but it comes to nothing.

A corner is not properly cleared and Henderson takes on a shot from range which is well over the bar. Cue a shake of the head from Klopp, who wanted to see possession recycled then rather than a pointless shot from outside the box.

Liverpool have been the side dictating the temp of play in the opening quarter of this match, and it is they who lead following the easiest of goals for Lovren. A free kick into the box was horribly defended by the hosts, with two players waiting at the back post. Lovren was the man to meet the ball, hitting it into the ground and past the reach of Courtois.

Prior to that goal I was about to mention how Chelsea are playing a rather dangerous game, sitting off their opponents and just letting Liverpool dictate things. We will now surely see more of Conte's men, as they are tasked with getting forward.

I should probably give Lovren more credit for his 'easy' opening goal. The defending was so, so bad - four men unmarked inside the box! - but it was a decent volleyed finish from the centre-back. Home fans now a little unhappy as Liverpool mount another attacking move.

Luiz receiving some treatment for a facial injury at the moment, which is not the best of signs this early into the match. Conte will be absolutely furious with the manner of his side's opening goal, yet there is still three quarters of the game to find a response.

SHOT! Sturridge picks up the ball in acres of space down the left, before working his way into the box and blasting a shot right across the face of goal. A reversal of the match at the Liberty Stadium last week - Chelsea very much second best in the first half.

Chelsea now taking more control of the match, which they should have been doing from the off. Liverpool will not mind that at all, as they love quickly hitting their opponents when winning the ball through their high pressing.

Soon after Matic turned and shot inside the box, seeing his attempt blocked aside around 15 yards from goal, Kante takes on a shot from long range. The problem for Chelsea summed up there - Willian, Costa, Oscar and Hazard not seeing much of the ball.

To say Chelsea have yet to get going is an understatement. Really disappointing opening half-hour showing from the hosts, who are badly struggling to create any serious attacking moves, although Willian has just had a shot deflected into the side-netting from wide.

Luiz does well to loop the ball back into a dangerous back-post position and, when Mignolet flapped at the ball, Cahill's eyes lit up just a few yards from goal. Liverpool were able to clear and the offside flag was up regardless.

Chelsea much improved over the past four or five minutes, adding some pace to their attacks and looking to get at their opponents. Still no shots on target, though, with nearly 37 minutes of this match at Stamford Bridge now played.

We have just witnessed a Goal of the Season contender from Jordan Henderson, who has has scored from all of 32 yards out. The Englishman picked the very top corner of Courtois' goal with his perfectly-placed strike, leaving the Belgian - who was at full stretch - with no chance of keeping it out. What a goal!

I wouldn't go as far as saying Liverpool have deserved a two-goal lead, but they certainly deserve to be as comfortable as they are right now. Chelsea have been terrible on the whole, while Liverpool have picked their moments perfectly to take command of things.

Three minutes to go until the interval - three massive minutes in the context of things. Liverpool need to be smart and keep this two-goal advantage intact; Chelsea need to do something to try and turn the momentum. Conte will almost certainly make a change or two at the break.

Clyne collects a loose ball on the run but goes down inside the box when losing his balance. Chelsea win a corner up the other end just moments later, which Ivanovic flicked on in front of goal into the welcoming hands of Mignolet.

Really good play by Henderson, who prevents a quick Chelsea break with a fine tackle and even wins his side a throw-in in the process. Willian enters the referee's book for dissent, with half time now just seconds away.

Referee Martin Atkinson sounds the half-time whistle, meaning that Liverpool take a convincing 2-0 lead into the interval. It has been Chelsea's worst performance of the season so far; a complete contrast to what we saw last week when they were so dominant in the opening 45 minutes at Swansea.

It took less than two minutes for Liverpool to fire away their first attempt on target, as Daniel Sturridge picked up the ball on the edge of the box and sent a shot down the middle which squirmed under Thibaut Courtois' body but not quite over the line. As the game settled down it was the Reds who were taking control of things, putting together some positive attacking moves and being rewarded 17 minutes in when Dejan Lovren crept in at the back post to open the scoring.

The Croatia international, who was back in the team along with Philippe Coutinho in the only two changes from last time out, found himself completely unmarked along with three other teammates and was able to blast home first time past the reach of Courtois. In a complete reversal to the Blues' opening 45 minutes at Swansea City last weekend - a match they would fail to win in the end - the Blues struggled to get going and could have been two down when former player Sturridge worked his way into the box and sent a shot across the face of goal. That did not act as a warning sign, though, as Jordan Henderson's belter from more than 30 yards out ended right in the top corner soon after.

Chelsea failed to truly test Simon Mignolet on a single occasion in a poor first-half showing, with the closest they came to a breakthrough arriving shortly before the interval when Branislav Ivanovic flicked on a cross into the hands of Liverpool's well-positioned keeper. Two-nil to the Reds at the midway point, then, and surely we can expect changes from the hosts.

Chelsea have attacking options aplenty on the bench, but will we see either Cesc Fabregas, Michy Batshuayi, Victor Moses or Pedro when the second half gets underway in a few moments' time?

CHELSEA SUBS: Begovic, Aina, Marcos Alonso, Fabregas, Pedro, Moses, Batshuayi

LIVERPOOL SUBS: Karius, Lucas, Stewart, Origi, Moreno, Grujic, Ejaria

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RESTART! We are back under way at Stamford Bridge where, surprisingly, no changes have been made at the interval by Conte. The Italian will no doubt spring into action if things do not improve in the opening five minutes of this half.

The Reds in a perfect position now, as they can just sit off and hit their opponents at the counter - something they do better than any other side when looking at the statistics. There is an attempt to up the tempo from the hosts but to no avail thus far.

No change in terms of the way this game is heading, even if Chelsea are more aggressive in their pursuit of getting the ball towards Costa. Can't quite understand why Fabregas isn't on the field right now, with 40 minutes left to find two goals.

A positive spell of pressure form the hosts, as Willian sends in a tasty cross which Mignolet is happy to punch as far away as possible. The Blues just could not compose themselves in the next wave to get a clear shot away at goal.

Liverpool keeping things nice and calm, which is eating up more and more time. Conte certainly keeping faith in his starting lineup, but Batshuayi, Moses, Pedro and Fabregas - as well as many of the 41,514 in attendance - are all waiting for that first change.

Ivanovic has the beating of Milner and bursts into the box, only to seemingly be brought down by his opponent. Referee Martin Atkinson felt that the contact was too minimal to award a penalty, though, and the appeals were very quiet.

LIVERPOOL SUB! Just short of an hour played and it is Klopp who makes the first change of the evening by bringing on Origi for Sturridge. Fresh legs in an already energetic attack - just what Conte wanted!

Liverpool really enjoying themselves in the opposition's final third now, knocking around countless passes knowing that they are under no pressure to find that killer final pass. An hour now on the clock and Conte still decides not to bring on attacking back-up.

Well from absolutely nowhere, Chelsea are right back in this game through yet another Diego Costa goal - his fifth of the season already. Matic, looking very tired over the past few minutes, does well to get to the byline and stand the ball up for his teammate, who had the task of prodding home from a five yards out. Game on at The Bridge!

SAVE! Things are very interesting all of a sudden, as Liverpool - comfortable since going ahead in the opening quarter of the match - are now on the back foot. Oscar nodded the ball down for Costa, who saw his shot parried by Mignolet.

Got to say that Conte does deserve credit for deciding against making a change, but even now, with 66 minutes played, he has still yet to turn to his bench. Fabregas's days at Stamford Bridge really do look to be numbered at this rate.

Milner's corner is nodded wide and from that Chelsea break. They are unable to test Mignolet but that move shows that Klopp may be living dangerously - a change in tact might well be needed, with just over 20 minutes left to play in West London.

Mignolet taking as much time as possible from each goal-kick now, but his latest punt up the field is worked well to Origi. The Belgian was disappointingly flagged for offside, though, denying him a chance to add a third goal for his side.

Still just the one shot on target this half, which came via Costa to make it 2-1, in what has been an energetic game but not quite provided as much entertainment as last week's Manchester derby. The conclusion may be just as gripping, though, with still just that one goal in it.

We are now well into the final quarter of the match and, incredibly, Conte has decided against turning to his bench. Bar his goal, Costa has been very quiet today, while Hazard and Willian have also been non-existent at times (cue all three linking up for a goal...)

Willian drives a cross into the box which deflects up into the air for Mignolet to collect with ease. So very little happening at the moment, with neither team looking like scoring, which will clearly suit the visitors just fine.

Clyne still getting high up the pitch down the right, sending in a cross that just has a little too much on it in the end. Coutinho turns and shoots from the next move, but Cahill was there to block the ball aside. Twelve minutes left!

Still just the one goal in this game, which keeps things interesting, but it is fair to say this has otherwise been an extremely underwhelming half of football. Two shots on target - one ending in the net and the other seeing Mignolet keep out Costa.

SAVE! Liverpool's best moment of the half, as Milner's deflected cross is perfectly met by Origi five yards out. The Belgian nodded the ball into the ground but compatriot Courtois was across brilliantly to push it aside.

SUBS! You wait all evening for a Chelsea sub and then.... Triple alteration for the hosts, with Moses, Fabregas and Pedro coming on for Matic, Oscar and Willian. Coutinho has also made way for Lucas as Klopp goes a little more defensive.

Wijnaldum has picked up an injury but will remain on the pitch for the time being. Chelsea have not deserved a second goal on the balance of their performance over the past 86 minutes, but they have already scored one out of nothing and could so easily do it again late on.

YELLOW CARD! Lucas is booked two minutes from time but, more importantly, Luiz has a chance to take on the free kick from 22 yards out. The Brazilian instead leaves it for Fabregas, who simply lifted the ball into the wall. Poor!

LIVERPOOL SUB! Final change of the night is made - Kevin Stewart replacing Wijnaldum, who picked up a knock five minutes ago. Three minutes of added time to come; three minutes for Liverpool to see out the danger.

Three quarters of Stamford Bridge now emptying, as Liverpool defend a cross into the box and earn a free kick. Mignolet will punt this high up the field to surely signal three more points for the Reds on enemy territory.

The full-time whistle sounds at Stamford Bridge, meaning back-to-back wins at Stamford Bridge for Liverpool, who are certainly beginning to enjoy their trips to West London. It was a poor second half in terms of entertainment, as the Blues could muster just one serious attacking move which would ultimately end with Diego Costa scoring their consolation goal.

That concludes Sports Mole's live text coverage of events in West London, but before heading off be sure to check out this on-the-whistle report from Stamford Bridge. Reaction from both camps will also follow in the next hour, so stick around for that. Thanks for joining!