Premier League match time returns to Stamford Bridge when Liverpool play Chelsea in a second leg on Sunday 6 February.

The first leg between the two teams, on November 7 at Anfield, was won 2-0 by host Liverpool. The match marked a return to form for Torres, who scored both goals for Hodgson’s team, on 11 and 44 minutes. The brilliance of the Spanish striker gave his embattled manager a chance at life at Anfield.

But the score doesn’t tell the whole story, as Chelsea commanded 69% of possession that day. For Chelsea, Malouda and Zhirkov missed opportunities due to poor corners.

The real man of the match was Lucas, not Torres, and Kelly was another player who rose to be counted out in Glen Johnson’s absence. Carragher stood out as a center back and seems to have filled the boots of Alonso and Mascherano. Hodgson’s 4-4-2 formation against a strong Chelsea midfield looked suicidal, but it would not be an exaggeration to say that Lucas dominated the game. Although he was excellent in the tackle, he showed a lot of adventure and precision in his passing. Meireles was another player who had a great day in the Liverpool office; he is turning out to be a better substitute for Xabi Alonso than Aquilani.

Defensive errors cost Chelsea the game as Torres exploited the space between Terry and Cole to score. That being said, the Blues dominated the second half, which saw Liverpool appear without vision or passing ability.

Head to head, Chelsea lead 9-5 in the last 16 league matches between the two sides.

In their last 10 league games this season, Ancelotti’s team have won 4, lost 2 and drawn the remaining 4. Liverpool have won 5 of their last 10 games, they have lost 4 and drawn one. Chelsea have won 8 of 11 home games this season, drawing 2 and losing the rest. Liverpool have lost 8 of 12 away games and have won and drawn 2 each. Both teams come from victories in matchday 25; Chelsea won 4-2 away at Sunderland, while Liverpool beat Stoke 2-0 at home.

As it stands, Saturday’s game is likely to be a close one, with Chelsea enjoying home advantage.

Chelsea had the following men in their starting eleven against Sunderland: Cech, Bosingwa, Ivanovic, Terry, Cole, Lampard, Mikel, Essien, Anelka, Drogba and Kalou. Malouda, Ramires and Ferreira played as substitutes.

Liverpool’s starting eleven against Stoke consisted of Reina, Kelly, Skrtel, Agger Kyrgiakos, Johnson, Gerrard, Lucas, Aurelio, Meireles and Kuyt. Shelvey and Suárez were used as substitutes.