Liverpool travel to Stamford Bridge in Saturday’s early kick off in what is shaping up to be the game of the weekend.
Chelsea, frankly, are in deep sh*t and if Jurgen Klopp’s side secure a first league win of the German’s brief reign so far then it could be the end of Jose Mourinho’s second spell in charge at the Bridge.
There’s no love lost between the two sides after some fractious clashes in recent years and all over the pitch there are likely to be scores being settled – most of which involve Diego Costa.
Costa and Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel have an ongoing feud which dates back to a international between Slovakia and Spain last year, but manifests itself in some way every time the Anfield club face Chelsea.
Emre Can may also have a score to settle with Costa after the Chelsea striker stamped on him during their Capital One Cup clash last season.
But there is one man that Liverpool players want to stick it to the most – and that’s Chelsea coach Rio Faria.
The Daily Telegraph’s Matt Law reports an ‘Anfield source’ as saying:
“There are a few players who would like to gain a bit of revenge on Mourinho and Chelsea, but it is Faria who is really disliked. He loves to get involved and act the hard man, but then he is usually hiding behind somebody or letting himself be restrained.”
Their beef seems to date back to that Anfield afternoon when Steven Gerrard’s slip gifted Chelsea an opening goal and did irreparable damage to Liverpool’s title bid.
So if it wasn’t already hard enough trying to follow what’s happening on and off the ball at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, now we’ll also have to keep a close eye on the bench too. Should be fun.
