Liverpool are looking to pick up their first Premier League win of the calendar year against Chelsea but the clash could also have huge significance on the race for the top four.
The Reds' recent struggles have seen them fade out of contention recently and their defeat away at Brighton saw the gap increase to 10 points.
Both Jurgen Klopp and Graham Potter have prepared with injury-hit sides as Liverpool go into the encounter without Virgil van Dijk and Luis Diaz, to name just a couple. Meanwhile, the Londoners will be without the likes of full-back duo Ben Chilwell and Reece James, despite making positive strides in their bid for full fitness this week.
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The meeting is a stark contrast from the previous as ninth pits its wits against 10th. A win for the Reds could see them have the early advantage and move as high as sixth. But what do the pundits think?
Chris Sutton - BBC Sport
Premier League-winning striker Chris Sutton said speaking to BBC Sport: "How on earth can you call this game? Both sides have been incredibly inconsistent this season, and it is impossible to know what they will do next.
"I've been unconvinced by Liverpool for a while now, because of their lack of energy and legs in midfield, and their defeat at Brighton last weekend was not even that big a surprise.
"I know the Reds then went and beat Wolves in the FA Cup, but I've not seen anything that makes me think they are going to bounce back and clinch their first league win of 2023.
"It is a similar story with Chelsea, because we don't know which Blues team will turn up at Anfield.
"They got an important win over Crystal Palace last time out but they needed some big saves from Kepa Arrizabalaga to get over the line.
"A win would be a huge boost in confidence for both teams, but it is hard to make a case for either of them to take the three points."
Prediction: Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea
Paul Merson - Sportskeeda
"Ninth place against tenth place - is this a big game? I'll go as far as to say that whoever loses this match is completely out of the Premier League top-four race," he told Sportskeeda. "This is a massive game. The team that wins this game could go on a run and really push for a place in the top four.
"Liverpool got blown away by Brighton the other day. I did mention that there was no way Brighton were going to lose that game, and they deserved to win.
"The Liverpool players who played against Wolves aren't going to play on Saturday. Mohamed Salah isn't closing down like he used to. They need to go back to closing down and winning the ball high up the pitch - they're not doing that at all at the moment
"This is going to be an interesting game. Chelsea have got injuries and aren't playing great football, but if they can get through the first 20 minutes, they've got a chance.
"Cody Gakpo's been struggling a bit so far - I can't remember players for Holland coming in and ripping it up in the Premier League in the last couple of years. He'll need time, and he might need to come out of the team for a game or two.
"Liverpool have got to hang in there and win matches until the likes of Jota and Diaz are back. They need to get their confidence back up and get on a roll. There's not a lot between these two teams, and I think this game will end in a draw."
Prediction: Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea
Mark Lawrenson - Paddy Power
Mark Lawrenson said speaking to Paddy Power: "Lunchtime fixtures are normally a little but dull as everyone’s still waking up! Off the back of Liverpool’s 1-0 win over Wolves in the week I’ll go for a Draw.
"Joao Felix is suspended for Chelsea and they actually looked better against Fulham even though they lost. Defensively they might stop Liverpool because I’m not sure who’s going to play up front for The Reds as Darwin Nunez is a big doubt."
Prediction: Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea.
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