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Liverpool and Chelsea renew rivalries in arguably the most attractive fixture to date in the fledgling Premier League season.
The two clubs have locked horns an incredible 15 times in all competitions during the past three seasons so familiarity will be the name of the game at Anfield on Sunday.
ANDRIY VORONIN
Liverpool warmed up for the visit of last year's runners-up with a professional display in their 1-0 Champions League first leg third qualifying round victory over French side Toulouse in midweek.
Ukraine striker Andriy Voronin's first start following his free transfer move from Bayer Leverkusen during the summer was capped by a fine 25-yard strike which settled the match.
However, despite hailing the performance of the stocky frontman, Reds boss Rafael Benitez is expected to recall his first choice strike pairing of Fernando Torres and Dirk Kuyt as he continues his policy of squad rotation.
Torres, a £20million capture from Atletico Madrid during the close season, and Netherlands international Kuyt started the 2-1 win over Aston Villa on the opening day of the new Premier League season last weekend.
Xabi Alonso, John Arne Riise, Daniel Agger and Jermaine Pennant could also be recalled to the line-up in place of the likes of Momo Sissoko, Javier Mascherano, Peter Crouch and Yossi Benayoun who all started in midweek.
Revenge could well be on the minds of the Chelsea players when they travel to Merseyside on Sunday.
Liverpool dumped the Blues out of the Champions League at the semi-final stage last season and also inflicted an ultimately costly 2-0 defeat on Jose Mourinho's side in the league towards the end of January.
Domestically Chelsea have started the new season in superb form as they produced an entertaining display in the opening day 3-2 win over Birmingham City, before coming from behind to defeat Reading 2-1 on Wednesday evening.
After the midweek match, Mourinho allayed fears over John Terry's fitness by claiming his skipper will be back to face Liverpool in Sunday's showdown at Anfield.
The Blues and England captain returned to full training on Wednesday following a knee injury and will provide Mourinho with a timely boost after fellow central defender Ricardo Carvalho picked up an injury during the Reading game.
Carvalho limped off during the first half and is expected to be out for some time, but Terry will partner summer signing Tal Ben Haim when he makes his first competitive appearance of the new season at the weekend.
Last season's top-scorer Didier Drogba did make his first start of the new campaign in midweek after replacing summer signing Claudio Pizarro and will definitely lead the line against Liverpool.
However, Michael Essien (knee) remains doubtful after being omitted in midweek, while Michael Ballack (ankle), Wayne Bridge (hip), Andriy Shevchenko (groin) and Claude Makelele (knee) are all definite absentees.
The two clubs have locked horns an incredible 15 times in all competitions during the past three seasons so familiarity will be the name of the game at Anfield on Sunday.
ANDRIY VORONIN
Liverpool warmed up for the visit of last year's runners-up with a professional display in their 1-0 Champions League first leg third qualifying round victory over French side Toulouse in midweek.
Ukraine striker Andriy Voronin's first start following his free transfer move from Bayer Leverkusen during the summer was capped by a fine 25-yard strike which settled the match.
However, despite hailing the performance of the stocky frontman, Reds boss Rafael Benitez is expected to recall his first choice strike pairing of Fernando Torres and Dirk Kuyt as he continues his policy of squad rotation.
Torres, a £20million capture from Atletico Madrid during the close season, and Netherlands international Kuyt started the 2-1 win over Aston Villa on the opening day of the new Premier League season last weekend.
Xabi Alonso, John Arne Riise, Daniel Agger and Jermaine Pennant could also be recalled to the line-up in place of the likes of Momo Sissoko, Javier Mascherano, Peter Crouch and Yossi Benayoun who all started in midweek.
Revenge could well be on the minds of the Chelsea players when they travel to Merseyside on Sunday.
Liverpool dumped the Blues out of the Champions League at the semi-final stage last season and also inflicted an ultimately costly 2-0 defeat on Jose Mourinho's side in the league towards the end of January.
Domestically Chelsea have started the new season in superb form as they produced an entertaining display in the opening day 3-2 win over Birmingham City, before coming from behind to defeat Reading 2-1 on Wednesday evening.
After the midweek match, Mourinho allayed fears over John Terry's fitness by claiming his skipper will be back to face Liverpool in Sunday's showdown at Anfield.
The Blues and England captain returned to full training on Wednesday following a knee injury and will provide Mourinho with a timely boost after fellow central defender Ricardo Carvalho picked up an injury during the Reading game.
Carvalho limped off during the first half and is expected to be out for some time, but Terry will partner summer signing Tal Ben Haim when he makes his first competitive appearance of the new season at the weekend.
Last season's top-scorer Didier Drogba did make his first start of the new campaign in midweek after replacing summer signing Claudio Pizarro and will definitely lead the line against Liverpool.
However, Michael Essien (knee) remains doubtful after being omitted in midweek, while Michael Ballack (ankle), Wayne Bridge (hip), Andriy Shevchenko (groin) and Claude Makelele (knee) are all definite absentees.
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