Liverpool must beat champions Chelsea to keep top four hopes alive

Liverpool may have reportedly missed out on signing star Dutch winger Memphis Depay to bitter rivals Manchester United, but can attempt to get their own back on them by somehow snatching fourth place. They are 8/1 chances with Coral to do so.

The only problem for Brendan Rodgers’ Reds is that they happen to be facing recently crowned champions Chelsea (23/20 match favourites) at Stamford Bridge.

What’s more daunting for Liverpool is that they have not beaten the Blues in their last seven meetings in all competitions, and already lost to them twice this time.

However, with Joe Mourinho’s men having no pressure on them any more this season, the Reds will can look to take advantage of that and snatch their first win at Stamford Bridge since 2011.

They can also take heart in the fact that Chelsea have won just two of their last seven top-flight home matches against the Merseysiders, so are, therefore, tempting 5/2 shouts for a vital victory.

This encounter would also mark a special occasion for living Liverpool legend and current captain Steven Gerrard, who has the chance to make amends for his title-losing slip against this opposition last term.

Gerrard, who has just three more matches for his beloved boyhood club before jetting off across the Atlantic to lay for LA Galaxy, scored last time out against QPR, and is a tempting 4/1 shout to get another anytime here.

Mourinho was also praising of the former England skipper, by saying: “To stop him, or to try to stop him, is very difficult. I’m very sad it’s the last time I will play against him.”

One man who has been denied facing his former side, though, is Daniel Sturridge, who is reportedly now out injured until September. Instead, Mario Balotelli could start up front against one-time mentor Mourinho. The Italian is 5/2 to get his second Premier League goals of the season.

Chelsea have their own absentees too, in injured Brazilian-born duo Diego Costa and Oscar. That means that Didier Drogba could lead the line, and the Ivorian icon is 21/10 in the anytime market.

Eden Hazard would be the obvious one to watch in attack too, with the brilliant Belgian a very tempting 17/10 chance.

Coral are also offering a match special for this fixture of the weekend, with enhanced odds of 4/1 for Chelsea to win and both teams score. Punters must note that there is a maximum stake of £20 on this bet.