Good afternoon everyone and thank you for joining us as we bring you live coverage as Liverpool take on Chelsea at Anfield in the Premier League.

Both sides come into this contest off the pace of current league leaders Manchester City, with Antonio Conte's Blues looking slightly more serious contenders. Having said that, a victory for the Reds today would take Jurgen Klopp's charges level on points with Chelsea, who occupy third spot in the standings.

Much of the narrative that has shaped the build-up to this fixture has focused on Liverpool's defensive frailties, after they capitulated at the back in order to throw away a three-goal lead against Sevilla in the Champions League midweek. Despite that, Klopp's men are unbeaten at home this season and have lost just two of their last 33 league matches at Anfield.

Added to that statistic, Liverpool have only conceded one Premier League goal at home this season, which came against Burnley.

Following a tentative start to their own campaign, Chelsea have gradually moved up the gears in recent weeks and have started to show some of the guile that led them to the title last season. Should the Blues secure a win on the road here, Chelsea will have put together four successive league wins. If they can come away unscathed, Conte's men would have also recorded three clean sheets in a row for the first time this season.

Right, time for some team news...

LIVERPOOL STARTING XI: Mignolet; Gomez, Klavan, Matip, Moreno; Henderson, Milner, Coutinho; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Salah, Sturridge

LIVERPOOL SUBSTITUTES: Karius, Wijnaldum, Firmino, Mane, Lallana, Robertson, Alexander-Arnold

CHELSEA STARTING XI: Courtois; Azpilicueta, Christensen, Cahill; Zappacosta, Drinkwater, Kante, Bakayoko, Alonso; Hazard, Morata

CHELSEA SUBSTITUTES: Caballero, Luiz, Rudiger, Moses, Fabregas, Willian, Pedro

So the headline news for Liverpool fans is that Daniel Sturridge is handed a start in attack, lining up alongside the attacking threats of both Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Mohamed Salah.

Klopp has opted for a three-man midfield, which sees Jordan Henderson work with both Philippe Coutinho and James Milner in the middle of the park. Despite his problematic form of late, Alberto Moreno has kept his place at left-back, while Adam Lallana returns on the bench for the first time this season.

As for the visitors, Alvaro Morata continues up top following some standout form, and he will be backed by fellow forward Eden Hazard. There is a big start too for Danny Drinkwater, who lines up in a midfield three that also includes N'Golo Kante and Tiemoue Bakayoko.

Chelsea fans might just be fearing the worst following Salah's form this season. Salah has now scored nine goals in the league, which represents the most by any Liverpool player in their opening 12 appearances in the top flight. When featuring for the Blues, the Egyptian scored only two times in the league.

The Blues have had their own form striker, however, in the shape of Morata. The Spanish frontman has been involved in 12 goals in his first 11 league games for the Blues this term, scoring eight and setting up four.

Klopp has come in for some criticism during his attempted transformation of Liverpool, but his statistics against the top-six make for good reading for Reds fans. Liverpool actually have the best head-to-head record in that department since the German coach took over back in October 2015. Against the league's top six, Liverpool have picked up 37 points from 22 games when coming up against those sides during Klopp's tenure.

Here is a quick glimpse inside Chelsea's away dressing room at Anfield. Clubs across the Premier League are backing the Rainbow Laces campaign this weekend, which is focusing on promoting inclusion at all levels of sport for people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT).

When looking at the head-to-head form between the sides, Liverpool find themselves in a rather positive position. Klopp's men are unbeaten in the last five Premier League meetings and you would have to go back as far as November 2014 to find a Chelsea victory over the Reds in the Premier League.

Those two victories did come at Stamford Bridge, though, with Chelsea picking up three draws at Anfield across those five games. In fact, Chelsea have not lost in their last five Premier League trips to this ground.

Chelsea might just be targeting the two centre-backs this evening, especially if Hazard and Morata opt to operate in close quarters. Liverpool are obviously boosted by the timely return of Joel Matip from injury, but he will be having to marshal Ragnar Klavan alongside him, who, despite his age, does not have the best experience in testing encounters such as this.

Chelsea's form on the road has been impressive of late too. Conte's charges have now picked up three points from 10 of their last 12 away games in the league. The club's only defeats across those fixtures came at Manchester United and Crystal Palace.

Given Liverpool's relative troubles at the back, this evening could provide fertile conditions for Hazard to cause trouble. The Belgian playmaker has scored in 16 Premier League matches for Conte and won every single one of those matches - that is some statistic...

Here's a shot from a little earlier of Anfield, it's a touch chilly up in Merseyside and the sky is looking rather moody as we await the start of the contest:

It is perhaps a little early to start the talk of "must-win" games, but this fixture is vital for both sides. Manchester United snuck past Brighton & Hove Albion earlier this afternoon, meaning that Chelsea require a win to stay within touching distance of Jose Mourinho's men who currently sit in second place. As for Liverpool, they are in fifth spot and three points tonight would take them level with Chelsea on 25 after 13 games.

So here we go then, the players emerge from the tunnel to a real din ringing out around Anfield. It's time for the handshakes and what not, then we're off!

KICKOFF! Here we go... Liverpool get things moving, kicking from right to left in their home red strip, while Chelsea feature in all blue with white socks. Both decent kits, actually.

Some promising signs of intent from Liverpool already as they set on with the press, causing Courtois to kick long out of play needlessly. Liverpool will bring plenty of energy to this early on, but they will need to be wary of the Blues' pace on the break.

Liverpool make inroads down the right through Salah and he combines well with Sturridge, although the ball into the box is cleared by the head of Cahill who stands firm in the middle.

Hazard provides a bit of class on the right flank for the Blues, as he combines with Drinkwater in order to break in behind. His ball across the box evades everyone, though, leaving Liverpool to counter through Oxlade-Chamberlain, who eventually stumbles under a challenge from Christensen and Chelsea are able to thwart the danger.

A rather tentative start here at Anfield as both sides weigh each other up. Chelsea's midfield three looks incredibly tight and well-set at the moment. Liverpool are trying to use the flanks whenever possible, but the Blues are shifting over efficiently to keep tight. Conte is as animated as ever on the touchline after just seven minutes.

Hazard's pace could cause real issues as the game wears on, and he is already showing glimpses of his abilities on the counter as he skips past two men, before eventually being hounded out by a retreating Henderson just inside the Liverpool half.

Conte's men have dealt with proceedings efficiently in the opening ten minutes. The visiting midfield is compact and looks ready to spring when required on the break. It's up to Liverpool to break them down at the moment...

Chelsea enjoy a positive share of the ball on the edge of the Liverpool box as Hazard looks for a way through. The Belgian combines well with Bakayoko, but the Frenchman can't quite find the return ball round the corner, leaving Klavan to hoof away.

SHOT! First one of the game and it is horrific. Liverpool build up down the left channel with pace and the ball is soon shifted across the edge of the box. Sturridge lets it run into the path of Oxlade-Chamberlain, who lashes wildly and sends an effort high and wide of the away goal.

First signs of Liverpool fully coming to life emerge over on the right, as Salah slips in Gomez on the overlap, who then crosses into the middle for the run of Sturridge. Christensen reads things perfectly, though, as he intercepts at the vital moment on the penalty spot.

This contest has been hard-fought thus far. Liverpool are dominant on the ball but have done little with it to really threaten Chelsea. Looking at the quality on the benches, you do wonder if this clash could be decided in the latter stages...

SAVE! Chelsea spring the counter effectively from inside their own half, as the ball is floated out to Hazard down the left channel. Morata makes space with a run into the middle, allowing the Belgian to cut inside and get a shot off on goal. It's not the strongest of efforts, although Mignolet does well to get down low and turn the ball past his near post for a corner.

CLOSE! Hazard's pace is causing all sorts of bother now as another driven run from deep sees the Liverpool defence back off, allowing Drinkwater to break beyond the backline with a smart run. Hazard picks him out wonderfully, leaving Mignolet to rush off his line and make another good stop.

Coutinho is able to get his foot on the ball in space for the first time and he turns a wonderful, floated ball beyond the Chelsea defence for the run of Salah, who is stopped by an intervention from Cahill with Courtois caught in two minds on his line.

Conte will be delighted with what he has seen so far. Liverpool look bereft of ideas going forward and the Blues have simply waited to mount attacks of their own on the break, with Hazard causing all sorts of problems with his pace and movement.

CLOSE! Matip goes in a little too clumsily and hands Chelsea a free kick around 25 yards out from goal. Alonso is over it, but sends a curling effort wide of the post without troubling Mignolet.

What can Klopp do to start influencing this game? Liverpool have failed to get in behind such has been Chelsea's defensive strength. You might look towards Mane in the second half for some more direct running. Oxlade-Chamberlain and Coutinho have been virtually anonymous since kickoff.

Chelsea have been happy to turn this into a war of attrition before looking to use the counter when possible. Liverpool have lacked cutting edge in this first half - the hosts have been far too slow in their build-up play to threaten the Blues.

CLOSE! Wonderful work now from Chelsea's frontline. Morata is at the heart of things as he lays the ball off for Bakayoko, who then feeds Zappacosta in behind down the right channel. The wing-back puts a first-time cross into the middle, although a desperate Liverpool stick a foot out to clear.

CLOSE! Textbook Salah now as he receives the ball with his back to goal with Cahill breathing down his neck. The Egyptian turns inside and releases a curling effort with his left that flies just wide of the post with Courtois scrambling across goal.

Appeals for a penalty now as Hazard seemingly shoves Coutinho inside the Liverpool box before stealing the ball on the counter. It is right under the referee's nose, who waves for play on despite huge shouts from the Anfield faithful.

We're going to have one minute of additional time in the first period...

So Michael Oliver brings proceedings to a halt after an intriguing half of football on Merseyside. Chelsea are likely to be much the happier side come the break. Conte's charges have stuck to their game-plan and prevented the hosts from creating much of note. The visitors have looked troubling on the counter and Liverpool will need to be vigilant as the game wears on.

Klopp has much to ponder at the break. His side have dominated the ball but have done very little with it going forward, with the hosts proving too slow in their build-up play and bereft of ideas when the ball over the top does not bear fruit. Mane would certainly be an interesting option from the bench, as would Roberto Firmino. Sturridge has been quiet, as has Oxlade-Chamberlain. Salah has arguably been the hosts' most dangerous player and he was unlucky not to give his side the lead with that standout curling effort...

The players are back out on the pitch and we'll be underway again shortly. More of the same Chelsea will be thinking. Meanwhile, Liverpool have to improve in possession when going forward.

SECOND HALF! Chelsea get us moving again...

Early signs that Liverpool are trying to up the tempo going forward, although Chelsea are again equal to it. The Blues call for a penalty for a supposed foul on Hazard from Milner just on the edge of the box, but the referee says play on.

Positive movement now from Coutinho allows the Brazilian to feed the run of Sturridge, who turns and produces a weak shot at Courtois. The stopper makes a real mess of his save and gives away a needless corner, which Liverpool fail to exploit.

Mane is in the middle of a group of players sent to warm-up by Klopp, as Henderson winds up and has a shot from distance. The pace of the game is starting to mirror that of the first half. Liverpool having lots of the ball again, but nothing of note going forward.

Another penalty shout now as Sturridge is fed inside the Chelsea box. The ball pings up and appears to crash into Cahill's arm at close range. It did hit the arm, but was far too close to be given as a penalty. Signs of life from Liverpool in the Chelsea box, but they really are lacking quality.

CLOSE! Chelsea almost find themselves in front and it's all down to the counter again. Zappacosta was the architect down the right, but his eventual ball into the middle evaded everyone, including Morata who drifted cleverly at the back-post to arrive late only to see the ball slip past at the vital moment.

CLOSE! Chelsea are turning it on as the breaks mount up. This time Drinkwater crosses towards the front post for Morata, but a deflection puts him off and his effort flies wide of the post.

SHOT! What an interception from Azpilicueta... A long ball into the box finds Salah, who feeds Sturridge in space on the left with an adroit knock-down. The frontman pulls the trigger with a thumping shot that looks goal-bound, only to see the Chelsea defender pull off a wonderful sliding block to stop the shot from troubling Courtois.

Liverpool are ahead and it's arguably against the run of play... well quality of play. Coutinho causes real issues on the edge of the box as he attempts to exchange a one-two with Oxlade-Chamberlain. Bakayoko is there to cut it out but stumbles with a poor clearance, leaving the ball to break through to Salah who cooly slots beyond Courtois.

Chelsea will need to open up now as they go in search of an equaliser. Klavan nearly makes a costly error at the back with a poor clearance, but the home side eventually scramble things clear through Matip.

SUBSTITUTION: Conte has seen enough of Bakayoko, who has had a really poor game today. The Frenchman is hauled off and Cesc Fabregas enters the fray.

Fabregas almost proves vital in midfield with a lofted ball over the top for Morata, who beats his man for strength before dragging a shot across goal and wide of the target. The Spaniard is eventually flagged for offside, but it just goes to show the quality that Fabregas can bring during these closing stages.

Liverpool are enjoying some success down at the Chelsea end despite the Blues desperation needing to get hold of the ball. Wijnaldumat has caused problems in the air since his introduction, but this time Courtois is equal to his header at the back-post.

Cue questions about Liverpool's goalkeeping issues... Substitute Willian floats an attempt towards the back-post and somehow it flies over the top of Mignolet's palm and into the far corner. It's hard to see whether it's a cross or a shot, but it's definitely a fluke and Chelsea have somehow grabbed themselves a lifeline.

Liverpool still pressing forward as we enter these final three minutes of additional time. Can they find a shock winner?

What a second half, especially for the neutrals! Liverpool might feel they should have won this contest, despite a poor showing during the first half. Credit to Chelsea, though, who stuck to their task on the road and levelled with a rather odd fluke in the closing stages.

Questions will again be asked of Mignolet, who was beaten by that swirling cross from Willian. Some might argue that a draw is a fair result given Liverpool's lacklustre showing in the first period. In many ways this contest has summed up much of Liverpool progress under Klopp. Two steps forward and one step back... Slow going, but just enough progression to keep people happy. That's going to be all from me tonight, thanks for joining us.