Liverpool host Chelsea on Sunday 21 April, with the spotlight firmly on Blues interim manager Rafa Benitez, who makes his first return to Anfield since leaving the Reds in 2010.

Fernando Torres and Rafa Benitez return to Anfield
Reuters

Where to Watch Live

Kick-off is set for 4pm BST, with Sky Sports 1, Sky Sports 1 HD, Sky Go and BBC Radio 5 Live providing live coverage in the UK. Watch highlights on Match of the Day 2 on BBC One and BBC One HD at 10.25pm.

Overview

Benitez was once a Liverpool icon, the subject of some of the club's most popular chants in recent times and the nemesis of Chelsea. However, the Spaniard broke Anfield hearts last November by taking charge at Stamford Bridge, a post he claimed he could never occupy back in 2007. Pundits and analysts wonder how Benitez will be received by the red half of Merseyside today.

Also returning is former Reds striker and talisman Fernando Torres, who has struggled for form and game time since his big-money move from Anfield to Stamford Bridge over two years ago.

Benitez and Torres were fan favourites at Anfield once
Reuters

Liverpool have managed just one win in their last four Premier League games; a run which has left them adrift of the Europa League spots. Brendan Rodgers' men drew their last two matches and are currently seventh in the table, six points behind arch-rivals Everton.

Meanwhile, Chelsea were eliminated from the FA Cup by Manchester City last week but are enjoying a good run in the Premier League, winning four of their last five games. The west London outfit are currently fourth in the Premier League table, vying with London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur for a Champions League spot next season. The Blues warmed up for this game by defeating derby rivals Fulham 3-0 at Craven Cottage in midweek.

History favours Liverpool in this fixture as the Reds have won five of the last 10 meetings between the two clubs, with Chelsea winning only three games during that period. The Merseysiders also did a league double against the Blues last season, capped by a 4-1 win in the same fixture (Anfield) a year back.

Form Guide

Liverpool

    • Last Five Games (all competitions, most recent first): D D W L W
    • Last Match: Reading 0 - 0 Liverpool

Chelsea

    • Last Five Games (all competitions, most recent first): W L L W W
    • Last Match: Fulham 0 - 3 Chelsea

Team News

Liverpool: Rodgers has no new injury concerns as the Reds enter this tie. Raheem Sterling, who missed the club's last two games with a thigh problem, still remains a doubt. Joe Allen, Fabio Borini (both shoulder) and Martin Kelly (knee) were earlier ruled out for the rest of the season.

Probable Line-up: (4-3-3) Reina; Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Enrique; Henderson, Lucas, Gerrard; Sturridge, Suarez, Coutinho

Chelsea: Both Ashley Cole (knee) and Gary Cahill (hamstring) have returned to training but the trip to Anfield has come too soon for the English duo to make their first team return. However, Marko Marin (thigh) is back in contention.

Benitez is likely to make a few changes to the rotated side that started at Craven Cottage in midweek, meaning Cesar Azpilicueta, John Obi Mikel, Oscar and Demba Ba are set to come in to the XI, with John Terry, Frank Lampard, Victor Moses and Torres making way.

Probable Line-up: (4-2-3-1) Cech; Azpilicueta, Ivanovic, Luiz, Bertrand; Ramires, Mikel; Hazard, Mata, Oscar; Ba

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