Chelsea against Liverpool

Anelka flashes one well wide but still it is Chelsea with the chances, not Liverpool who desperately need a goal from somewhere.

Fabio Aurelio flings in a cross from the left and Hilario produces a flying punch to clear. He has been decent today when called upon. Which admittedly has not been very often.

Ricardo Carvalho sees a low shot saved by Jose Reina and time is really running out for Liverpool now.

Anelka chases onto a ball over the top from Malouda but Skrtel sticks out a boot to give away a corner. Liverpool bring on Fabio Aurelio for Insua before the set-piece is taken.

Ryan Babel makes inroads down the right wing but loses his footing. Liverpool regain possession but they fail to find Torres in the box.

A big chance for Liverpool as John Terry puts in a superb block to deny Steven Gerrard, while Torres puts the rebound wide when he really should have tested Hilario.

Ryan Babel tries to slip in Kuyt with a cute ball but cannot beat the Chelsea backline.

Dirk Kuyt demonstrates Liverpool's growing desperation when blasting a shot over the bar from 25 yards. That was pretty hopeless.

Liverpool have only had two shots on target all game and they desperately need to get Torres involved.

From the resulting free-kick, Drogba curls a set-piece about a foot wide but it had Jose Reina scrambling.

Steven Gerrard goes in the referee's book for a bit of a clumsy challenge on Frank Lampard.

Carlo Ancelotti tweaks his side as Florent Malouda replaces Deco. Meanwhile, Ryan Babel replaces Lucas for Liverpool as Benitez goes attacking.

Fernando Torres slips the ball square to Gerrard in the box but Ashley Cole is across quickly to intervene after the Liverpool man's first touch.

Glen Johnson blasts one over from 20 yards and the right back will probably feel he could have done better with that chance.

Steven Gerrard produces a first-time cross from the right that comes to nothing and as Liverpool continue to bombard the Chelsea backline, John Terry stands firm to head clear.

Drogba is down again but given he was in possession of the ball at the time we can assume that one actually hurt. John Terry gets his team-mate to his feet.

Steven Gerrard's corner fails to beat the first man and Chelsea clear.

Liverpool's pace has dropped a bit and that will worry Benitez. Chelsea do not look unduly worried at the moment, although Ashley Cole is forced to head behind for a corner.

Fernando Torres has been far too isolated today. He has magic in his boots but Liverpool have failed to utilise him. They could pay for that.

Here is Yossi and he comes in for Riera, instead of Lucas. Seems a strange decision by Benitez as he chases the game.

Rafa Benitez is readying Yossi Benayoun at the touchline and there is a strong argument to say he should have been included from the start. Liverpool don't deserve to be behind though.

Now Drogba tests Reina with a header but his effort was easy enough for the Spanish keeper.

If Liverpool go on to lose this game that will be three defeats in their opening eight games - hardly title-winning form. They will also be six points behind Chelsea, who will move into top spot.

Javier Mascherano clatters into Didier Drogba but dodges a booking.

GOAL! Nicolas Anelka makes it 1-0 to Chelsea when scoring against his former side. Javier Mascherano lost possession in midfield and Drogba teed up his strike partner for a prodded finish with a lovely ball into the box.

Hilario comes to fist the ball away from a Gerrard free-kick and the stand-in keeper has deputised well so far.

There is still something lacking from this game and it is yet to catch fire. Seasoned observers of games between the two sides will not be surprised.

Anelka appears to wriggle past Glen Johnson in the box but the defender recovers with a good challenge. Corner to Chelsea but Liverpool clear.

There have been a lot of questions regarding Frank Lampard's suitability for his role behind the front two and he has been quiet today. His drought stands at eight games so far.

Glen Johnson slides in on Drogba and catches his heel. Predictably the striker is down in a heap and crying out in pain. What else did you expect? He looks okay to continue after a miraculous recovery.

Now Branislav Ivanovic - who scored twice against Liverpool in Europe last season - takes aim from range and his wicekdly-swerving effort is saved by Jose Reina.

Gerrard finds a yard of space some 20 yards from goal and sends a shot whistling over the bar. It looked for a second as though it might be a trademark strike for the Reds skipper.

Fernando Torres attempts to slalom through the Chelsea midfield but is crudely felled. Steven Gerrard takes the free-kick and Hilario comes to catch.

Dirk Kuyt picks out Steven Gerrard with a neat cross but the Liverpool skipper makes the strange decision to head at goal from outside the box, with his effort flying wide. Who does he think he is, Yordan Letchkov?

Fabio Capello is sat in the stands at Stamford Bridge and the Italian will be announcing his latest England squad at around 8pm tonight, so make sure you stay with us for that.

Kick off. Liverpool get the second half underway.

Right the teams are emerging from the tunnel and we are set for what might, hopefully, be a bit more of an entertaining contest. That might be wishful thinking though.

Half time. It is 0-0 after a bit of a disappointing game. Stick around for the second half.

We are into injury time and Chelsea have a corner, but Carvalho is penalised for a foul on Jose Reina.

Martin Skrtel and Didier Drogba go head-to-head after the Liverpool defender claims he was tripped when trying to head in from a corner. It is another corner but Chelsea clear their lines.

Michael Essien recieves the first booking of the game for a messy challenge on Lucas, although there appeared to be little contact. A free-kick to Liverpool and Hilario just about tips the ball wide when Riera shoots from 30 yards.

Javier Mascherano gives away a free-kick when fouling Decobut Glen Johnson - appearing against his former side - produces a clearing header from the set piece.

Dirk Kuyt dinks in a good cross from the right and Torres gets in front of Carvalho to meet it from ten yards out, but his header does not have enough behind it to trouble Hilario. The striker should have done better.

A Chelsea corner is headed clear and after seeing his inital effort blocked, Essien follows up with a low drive that Reina clasps at his near post.

Patrick Vieira has been spotted in the stands - somewhat bizarrely as Arsenal were also playing today. Thierry Henry was at the Emirates and got a standing ovation, what is Vieira doing in West London?

Frank Lampard produces a quite woeful attempt at a free-kick from 35 yards. That was not impressive.

Hilario comes to snatch the ball away from Torres right on the edge of his box and is inches away from crossing the line to give away a free-kick for handball, but replays show he judged it perfectly.

Jamie Carragher is absolutely furious after being penalised for a foul on Drogba and when the free-kick comes in, Michael Ballack wastes a golden opportunity when heading over. The German spotted a gap in Liverpool's zonal marking system and should have exploited it.

Fernando Torres is pulled up for a foul on Ashley Cole and the striker is looking a touch frustrated so far.

Albert Riera fires in a shot that appears to catch Ricardo Carvalho on the elbow in the box but the defender had his arms tucked in in front of his body and it was never a penalty.

Steven Gerrard lines up a free-kick from 25 yards but his effort soars over the bar, leaving Hilaro untested in the Chelsea goal. The way this game has progressed in the opening half hour, Liverpool will definitely feel it is winnable.

A great chance for Nicolas Anelka as he meets a cross from Michael Essien after getting in front of Inusa, but his header lacks the necessary velocity to trouble Reina.

It has been a confident start from Liverpool and Rafa Benitez will be very pleased with how his side have performed. They just need to find Torres more as the main man has seen precious little of the ball.

Emiliano Insua attempts an ambitious volley when a corner is headed out by Chelsea but the young defender gets his shot all wrong and almost allows the home side to break.

Michael Ballack and Didier Drogba get in the way of each other when trying to meet a cross from Nicolas Anelka and the ball loops harmlessly into the arms of Jose Reina.

Both Torres and Gerrard go down under challenges within the space of ten seconds but neither win a free-kick.

Chelsea have still to carve out a decent chance and in the context of recent performances, that must be a bit of a concern for Carlo Ancelotti.

Albert Riera produces the first decent effort of the game as he takes aim from 20-odd yards and fires one off target.

Javier Mascherano has started well today and is at his spiky best, putting in a challenge at the touchline. We are still yet to have a clear-cut chance for either side though, this one is reverting to type.

John Terry looks in pain after a nasty challenge from Fernando Torres. The Spain striker raked his boot down Terry's shin, although he appeared to be attempting to get the ball.

Roman Abramovich is watching today at Stamford Bridge, reportedly after making a flying visit to the Chelsea training ground. No doubt he was unimpressed by defeat to Wigan last weekend.

Michael Ballack chases onto a long ball over the top but Jose Reina races out of his box and heads clear. Excellent judgement from the Liverpool 'keeper.

Now Gerrard looks to pick out Dirk Kuyt after getting in behind Branislav Ivanovic down the left, but his cross is cut out. Chelsea are soaking up some early pressure here.

It is a corner for Liverpool and Gerrard whips it in but Hilario punches clear.

Arsenal have set the benchmark with six goals against Blackburn today but I don't think either side will be reaching that tally, games between Liverpool and Chelsea are notoriously cautious - last season's 4-4 aside of course.

It is a confident start for Liverpool as Lucas gets stuck in on Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard looks to spray the ball around.

Kick off! We are underway at Stamford Bridge.

Petr Cech is of course missing for Chelsea due to suspension which is why Hilario is in goal. Liverpool will no dobut be keen to test the Portuguese 'keeper and a Chelsea side that lost to Wigan last weekend and looked unconvincing when beating Apoel Nicosia in midweek.

Chelsea will go top of the league with a win at Stamford Bridge today following Manchester United's draw with Sunderland yesterday while Liverpool, beaten by Fiorentina in midweek, will go level with Chelsea and one point behind United should they win.

Daniel Agger returns to the bench for Liverpool while Albert Riera is preferred to Yossi Benayoun in Rafa Benitez's side. Chelsea: Hilario, Ivanovic, Carvalho, Terry, Ashley Cole, Ballack, Essien, Lampard, Anelka, Deco, Drogba. Subs: Turnbull, Joe Cole, Malouda, Zhirkov, Kalou, Sturridge, Belletti. Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel, Insua, Kuyt, Mascherano, Lucas, Riera, Gerrard, Torres. Subs: Cavalieri, Agger, Aurelio, Benayoun, Kyrgiakos, Babel, Ngog.

Welcome to our live coverage of Chelsea's home game with Liverpool. It is Carlo Ancelotti v Rafa Benitez for the first time since the 2007 Champions League final when Milan took revenge for Istanbul by winning in Athens.

Drogba is down again but given he was in possession of the ball at the time we can assume that one actually hurt. John Terry gets his team-mate to his feet.

Steven Gerrard's corner fails to beat the first man and Chelsea clear.

Liverpool's pace has dropped a bit and that will worry Benitez. Chelsea do not look unduly worried at the moment, although Ashley Cole is forced to head behind for a corner.

Fernando Torres has been far too isolated today. He has magic in his boots but Liverpool have failed to utilise him. They could pay for that.

Here is Yossi and he comes in for Riera, instead of Lucas. Seems a strange decision by Benitez as he chases the game.

Rafa Benitez is readying Yossi Benayoun at the touchline and there is a strong argument to say he should have been included from the start. Liverpool don't deserve to be behind though.

Now Drogba tests Reina with a header but his effort was easy enough for the Spanish keeper.

If Liverpool go on to lose this game that will be three defeats in their opening eight games - hardly title-winning form. They will also be six points behind Chelsea, who will move into top spot.

Javier Mascherano clatters into Didier Drogba but dodges a booking.

GOAL! Nicolas Anelka makes it 1-0 to Chelsea when scoring against his former side. Javier Mascherano lost possession in midfield and Drogba teed up his strike partner for a prodded finish with a lovely ball into the box.

Hilario comes to fist the ball away from a Gerrard free-kick and the stand-in keeper has deputised well so far.

There is still something lacking from this game and it is yet to catch fire. Seasoned observers of games between the two sides will not be surprised.

Anelka appears to wriggle past Glen Johnson in the box but the defender recovers with a good challenge. Corner to Chelsea but Liverpool clear.

There have been a lot of questions regarding Frank Lampard's suitability for his role behind the front two and he has been quiet today. His drought stands at eight games so far.

Glen Johnson slides in on Drogba and catches his heel. Predictably the striker is down in a heap and crying out in pain. What else did you expect? He looks okay to continue after a miraculous recovery.

Now Branislav Ivanovic - who scored twice against Liverpool in Europe last season - takes aim from range and his wicekdly-swerving effort is saved by Jose Reina.

Gerrard finds a yard of space some 20 yards from goal and sends a shot whistling over the bar. It looked for a second as though it might be a trademark strike for the Reds skipper.

Fernando Torres attempts to slalom through the Chelsea midfield but is crudely felled. Steven Gerrard takes the free-kick and Hilario comes to catch.

Dirk Kuyt picks out Steven Gerrard with a neat cross but the Liverpool skipper makes the strange decision to head at goal from outside the box, with his effort flying wide. Who does he think he is, Yordan Letchkov?

Fabio Capello is sat in the stands at Stamford Bridge and the Italian will be announcing his latest England squad at around 8pm tonight, so make sure you stay with us for that.

Kick off. Liverpool get the second half underway.

Right the teams are emerging from the tunnel and we are set for what might, hopefully, be a bit more of an entertaining contest. That might be wishful thinking though.

Half time. It is 0-0 after a bit of a disappointing game. Stick around for the second half.

We are into injury time and Chelsea have a corner, but Carvalho is penalised for a foul on Jose Reina.

Martin Skrtel and Didier Drogba go head-to-head after the Liverpool defender claims he was tripped when trying to head in from a corner. It is another corner but Chelsea clear their lines.

Michael Essien recieves the first booking of the game for a messy challenge on Lucas, although there appeared to be little contact. A free-kick to Liverpool and Hilario just about tips the ball wide when Riera shoots from 30 yards.

Javier Mascherano gives away a free-kick when fouling Decobut Glen Johnson - appearing against his former side - produces a clearing header from the set piece.

Dirk Kuyt dinks in a good cross from the right and Torres gets in front of Carvalho to meet it from ten yards out, but his header does not have enough behind it to trouble Hilario. The striker should have done better.

A Chelsea corner is headed clear and after seeing his inital effort blocked, Essien follows up with a low drive that Reina clasps at his near post.

Patrick Vieira has been spotted in the stands - somewhat bizarrely as Arsenal were also playing today. Thierry Henry was at the Emirates and got a standing ovation, what is Vieira doing in West London?

Frank Lampard produces a quite woeful attempt at a free-kick from 35 yards. That was not impressive.

Hilario comes to snatch the ball away from Torres right on the edge of his box and is inches away from crossing the line to give away a free-kick for handball, but replays show he judged it perfectly.

Jamie Carragher is absolutely furious after being penalised for a foul on Drogba and when the free-kick comes in, Michael Ballack wastes a golden opportunity when heading over. The German spotted a gap in Liverpool's zonal marking system and should have exploited it.

Fernando Torres is pulled up for a foul on Ashley Cole and the striker is looking a touch frustrated so far.

Albert Riera fires in a shot that appears to catch Ricardo Carvalho on the elbow in the box but the defender had his arms tucked in in front of his body and it was never a penalty.

Steven Gerrard lines up a free-kick from 25 yards but his effort soars over the bar, leaving Hilaro untested in the Chelsea goal. The way this game has progressed in the opening half hour, Liverpool will definitely feel it is winnable.

A great chance for Nicolas Anelka as he meets a cross from Michael Essien after getting in front of Inusa, but his header lacks the necessary velocity to trouble Reina.

It has been a confident start from Liverpool and Rafa Benitez will be very pleased with how his side have performed. They just need to find Torres more as the main man has seen precious little of the ball.

Emiliano Insua attempts an ambitious volley when a corner is headed out by Chelsea but the young defender gets his shot all wrong and almost allows the home side to break.

Michael Ballack and Didier Drogba get in the way of each other when trying to meet a cross from Nicolas Anelka and the ball loops harmlessly into the arms of Jose Reina.

Both Torres and Gerrard go down under challenges within the space of ten seconds but neither win a free-kick.

Chelsea have still to carve out a decent chance and in the context of recent performances, that must be a bit of a concern for Carlo Ancelotti.

Albert Riera produces the first decent effort of the game as he takes aim from 20-odd yards and fires one off target.

Javier Mascherano has started well today and is at his spiky best, putting in a challenge at the touchline. We are still yet to have a clear-cut chance for either side though, this one is reverting to type.

John Terry looks in pain after a nasty challenge from Fernando Torres. The Spain striker raked his boot down Terry's shin, although he appeared to be attempting to get the ball.

Roman Abramovich is watching today at Stamford Bridge, reportedly after making a flying visit to the Chelsea training ground. No doubt he was unimpressed by defeat to Wigan last weekend.

Michael Ballack chases onto a long ball over the top but Jose Reina races out of his box and heads clear. Excellent judgement from the Liverpool 'keeper.

Now Gerrard looks to pick out Dirk Kuyt after getting in behind Branislav Ivanovic down the left, but his cross is cut out. Chelsea are soaking up some early pressure here.

It is a corner for Liverpool and Gerrard whips it in but Hilario punches clear.

Arsenal have set the benchmark with six goals against Blackburn today but I don't think either side will be reaching that tally, games between Liverpool and Chelsea are notoriously cautious - last season's 4-4 aside of course.

It is a confident start for Liverpool as Lucas gets stuck in on Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard looks to spray the ball around.

Kick off! We are underway at Stamford Bridge.

Petr Cech is of course missing for Chelsea due to suspension which is why Hilario is in goal. Liverpool will no dobut be keen to test the Portuguese 'keeper and a Chelsea side that lost to Wigan last weekend and looked unconvincing when beating Apoel Nicosia in midweek.

Chelsea will go top of the league with a win at Stamford Bridge today following Manchester United's draw with Sunderland yesterday while Liverpool, beaten by Fiorentina in midweek, will go level with Chelsea and one point behind United should they win.

Daniel Agger returns to the bench for Liverpool while Albert Riera is preferred to Yossi Benayoun in Rafa Benitez's side. Chelsea: Hilario, Ivanovic, Carvalho, Terry, Ashley Cole, Ballack, Essien, Lampard, Anelka, Deco, Drogba. Subs: Turnbull, Joe Cole, Malouda, Zhirkov, Kalou, Sturridge, Belletti. Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel, Insua, Kuyt, Mascherano, Lucas, Riera, Gerrard, Torres. Subs: Cavalieri, Agger, Aurelio, Benayoun, Kyrgiakos, Babel, Ngog.

Welcome to our live coverage of Chelsea's home game with Liverpool. It is Carlo Ancelotti v Rafa Benitez for the first time since the 2007 Champions League final when Milan took revenge for Istanbul by winning in Athens.