Premier League
Liverpool
Nov 8, 2014 12.45pm
1
2
HT : 1 1
FT
Chelsea
  • Emre Can 9' goal
  • Raheem Sterling 43' yellowcard
  • Mario Balotelli 65' yellowcard
  • goal Gary Cahill 14'
  • yellowcard Branislav Ivanovic 48'
  • goal Diego Costa 67'
  • yellowcard Nemanja Matic 69'
  • yellowcard Oscar 83'
  • yellowcard Diego Costa 87'
  • yellowcard Thibaut Courtois 94'

Live Coverage: Brendan Rodgers's weekly Liverpool press conference

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Brendan Rodgers's weekly Liverpool press conference
© Getty Images

Brendan Rodgers has admitted that it will be "tough" for his side to end Chelsea's unbeaten start to the current Premier League season.

Liverpool host the league leaders on Saturday afternoon, looking to close to 14-point gap between themselves and Jose Mourinho's side.

The manager revealed that Daniel Sturridge will not be ready to play, and that captain Steven Gerrard had a scan on his hamstring earlier this week.

Read what else the manager discussed below:

2.35pmThat's all from Rodgers this week, so join us again on Saturday lunchtime to find out if Liverpool can end Chelsea's unbeaten run this season. Until then, thanks for joining me this afternoon. Goodbye.

2.33pmRodgers is asked about Gerrard's slip last season. He tells reporters: "I think Gerrard recovering mentally shows the magnificent response from him, there was no blame, just unfortunate. He was instrumental in our run last year and how well he played. He's a big character and bounced back well from that."

2.31pmRodgers admits that Chelsea's squad will be difficult to beat: "It will be a tough game for us, they are unbeaten. Chelsea have big experience, players who have been there a long time."

2.29pmLiverpool striker Divock Origi, who is on loan with French side Lille, will be in action in the Europa League at Goodison Park this evening. Rodgers reveals: "We're in regular contact with Origi. He's a wonderful talent, we analyse his games in France and give him feedback."

2.27pmTurning his attention to Saturday's match, Rodgers insists that he has learned from last season's match against Chelsea: "This weekend's game against Chelsea is obviously a big game. We'll have learnt from last season's defeat to them, it'll be tough though. When we play at Anfield, no matter the opponent, we have every confidence we can go on and get a result. This game offers is a great chance at home to get a result and can kickstart the season for us."

2.25pmRodgers confirms that Sturridge has been training today, but is still a way off being ready to return to action with the team.

2.24pmThe manager hints that some of the players who were left out may have been carrying injuries that were not previously known about: "I know in my heart that I make decisions in the best interest of Liverpool FC. What's hard for journalists is you don't know the full extend of who could play, Gerrard had a scan the day before."

2.22pmHe continues: "We had a game plan against the best team in the world right now, to stay in the game, control. We then opened up the game with subs. I was proud of the players and the supporters, over 4,000 of them there giving the team a great backing. The criticism is unfair. To call Kolo Toure, Lucas Leiva or Adam Lallana a reserve? Those players deserve more praise than that."

2.20pmRodgers starts by discussing the team's defeat to Real Madrid, and his team selection for the match. He tells reporters: I put out the best team on Tuesday that I though could get a result against Madrid. My players were magnificent on the night."

2.19pmSlightly later than scheduled, here's Rodgers! Let's see what the manager has to say this week...

2.16pmSpeaking of Raheem Sterling, the young winger gets a mention in our Fantasy Football advice for this weekend's game. See whether you should be adding or dropping the Liverpool midfielder here.

2.11pmWhile Sturridge has been left out of the England squad this time around, four of his teammates are included. Raheem Sterling, Rickie Lambert, Jordan Hednerson and Adam Lambert all had a spot in Roy Hodgson's squad for the upcoming Euro 2016 qualifier and friendly against Scotland.

2.07pmWhile we're waiting for the manager, why not check our our On This Day feature for today, which looks back at Liverpool's 8-0 win over Besiktas in the Champions League in 2007.

2.04pmDon't forget, you'll be able to follow live coverage from an hour before kickoff from this, and every other Premier League match taking place this weekend with Sports Mole.

2.01pmOne player who will surely feature at the weekend is Adam Lallana. Liverpool's fans voted his debut goal for the club in the win over West Brom as their goal of the month for October:

1.58pmLiverpool's form hasn't been great in recent weeks, but they'll be hoping to correct that after the international break, with matches against Crystal Palace, Stoke and Leicester coming in the next month.

1.55pmRodgers will more than likely provide an update on Daniel Sturridge's fitness this afternoon. The striker travelled with the team for their match against Real Madrid, but did not feature, and has not been included in the England squad that was announced earlier today, so it seems likely that he will rest his calf injury until after the international break.

1.52pmLast time Chelsea played at Anfield, the Liverpool captain had what became an infamous slip, letting then-Chelsea striker Demba Ba in for a goal, which all but ended the Reds' title challenge. Rodgers criticised the Chelsea tactics that day, complaining that the opposition wasn't attacking enough. That's not likely to be the case this time though, as Chelsea have scored 26 goals in their first 10 games, five more than nearest rivals Southampton.

1.49pmLiverpool will have the advantage of a slightly longer rest period. They were away to Real Madrid on Tuesday, while Chelsea only played Slovenian side Maribor last night. Rodgers will also have a number of his players fresh, having left the likes of Steve Gerrard and Mario Balotelli out of his starting lineup earlier this week.

1.46pmGood afternoon! Following back-to-back defeats in the league and Champions League, Liverpool will be hoping to avoid a third straight defeat this weekend. It will be a tall order though, as they host Chelsea, who are yet to lose in the Premier League this season.
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