Will Liverpool FC win on 2026-05-09?

Analysis

This one's tighter than it should be on paper, and the injury sheet tells you why. Slot is missing Salah (hamstring), Ekitike long-term, and sweating on Isak, Alisson, Konaté and Wirtz — that's basically half a first-choice XI. At Anfield against a properly functioning Chelsea side I'd be running away from Liverpool here. But Chelsea aren't a properly functioning side. Six straight defeats under interim boss Calum McFarlane, Sánchez and Derry unavailable, and Neto and Garnacho both doubtful. Yes, James and Colwill returning gives them spine, but you don't fix a six-game losing run by walking into Anfield with an interim manager and rolling the away end. Liverpool are third, Chelsea are scrapping below them, and home advantage at Anfield still means something even with a patched-up XI. The October reverse fixture went Chelsea's way, but that was at the Bridge with a healthier Blues squad and before this slump took hold. I make this a coin flip leaning slightly Liverpool. The market at roughly even money looks fair — I'd take Liverpool small, but there's no fat edge here. Lean YES, don't go heavy.