Ahead of their clash with Londoners tonight, defender says his team will look to avenge last season's defeat to the Blues which ended their EPL title ambitions
Liverpool's Kolo Toure during a training session at the Melwood Training Ground. Pic/Getty Images.
Liverpool: Kolo Toure says Liverpool will be out for revenge when they face English Premier League leaders Chelsea at Anfield today.
Liverpool's Kolo Toure during a training session at the Melwood Training Ground. Pic/Getty Images.
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Brendan Rodgers’ side appeared on course to pip Manchester City to the league title last season, only to then suffer a morale-sapping 0-2 home defeat to Jose Mourinho’s side in April following Steven Gerrard’s costly first-half slip that allowed Demba Ba to open the scoring.
Ahead of this season’s first meeting between the two sides, Liverpool trail Chelsea by 12 points. Yet Toure is relishing the opportunity to do battle with the Blues again.
“They cost us the league, and now we have the chance to beat them — I can’t wait for that, honestly,” said the Ivorian. “Is it a chance for payback? Definitely. It’s a very important game when you think what they did to us last season.”
Chelsea are yet to lose a competitive game this season, dropping their only points in 1-1 away draws with the two Manchester clubs, while Wednesday’s draw with Maribor and a tie with Schalke are the only slip-ups in the Champions League.
Having been part of the Arsenal side that became the only team to complete an unbeaten Premier League season in 2004, Toure has additional motivation this weekend.
“It’s a great chance to end any argument about (Chelsea) being invincible. But the most important thing is we want to win the game,” he added.
“With the squad they have of course they can go through the season unbeaten, but it’s not only the quality. It is about mentality. Every game is challenging and sometimes things don't go well for you but you need to be able to come back and carry on fighting.”
Key battles
1. Dejan Lovren (Liverpool) vs Diego Costa (Chelsea)
Croatia defender Lovren has started all 10 EPL matches since his summer arrival from Southampton but has not been able to fully shore up a porous Reds defence. The ruthless Diego Costa, scorer of nine goals in eight league games since joining, will bid to expose the defensive flaws.
2.Steven Gerrard (Liverpool) vs Cesc Fabregas (Chelsea)
Chelsea supporters continue to revel in Gerrard’s costly slip in the April defeat, which saw Liverpool’s title challenge falter, and the midfielder will not be allowed to forget it. Gerrard has a key role against Chelsea, stopping mercurial playmaker Fabregas.
3. Mario Balotelli (Liverpool) vs John Terry (Chelsea)
Balotelli is still to score in the league, despite eight games. The Italy striker has an opportunity to test Chelsea’s defence, who have conceded more than usual. Terry will hope to show he is still a dominant presence at the back.(Text: PA Sport)
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