The second of two away league games in a row takes the Blues to face the Merseyside Reds. This fixture carries less importance than it has for a few years - Liverpool are now 11 points behind Chelsea in the chase for UEFA places, having also played one more match. Two coaches also face former sides for whom they understandably retain great affection.

Never the less the legacy of 24 often-decisive games in five seasons between 2004 and 2009 should ensure an intense atmosphere for Brendan Rogers' 50th Liverpool match.

Having moved back up to third, Chelsea have much to play for and defend, while fellow contenders Everton, Arsenal and Tottenham have tricky games too. It is important the Pensioners gain points here for the first time since 2010. This season Liverpool have won 15 points from 45 against teams from the top half of the table.

A repeat of the Chelsea Under-18s' 2-0 FA Youth Cup semi-final win at Anfield a week ago would be welcome. The return leg in that tie is at the Bridge on Friday, with the holders aiming to reach a fourth final in six seasons. Norwich City's youngsters lie in wait for the victors. Chelsea are the third most successful club in this competition, having won it four times: 1960, 1961, 2010 and 2012.

The senior Blues arrive on Merseyside on the back of a first away league win since Stoke in January. All three goals in the efficient victory at Fulham came from centre-backs John Terry and David Luiz.

The goals tally for Chelsea defenders in all competitions this season now stands at 27 - seven for Branislav Ivanovic, six each for Terry and Gary Cahill, David Luiz weighs in with five, Ryan Bertrand two and Ashley Cole one.

That means the back four has contributed 21% of all goals scored so far this campaign. Terry actually took his career total to 55 - fewer than Lionel Messi, perhaps, but more than Andrés Iniesta.

With a possible nine further fixtures to play the Blues are on course to surpass the record-breaking 2009/10 Double-winning season.

- Most Chelsea goals in a season

142 in 2009/10
129 in 2012/13
121 in 1964/65
117 in 1960/61 and 2006/07
112 in 2011/12
110 in 2008/09

David Luiz reached 100 appearances against Fulham, and Frank Lampard his 600th. Just two Chelsea players have previously reached that milestone: three-decades goalkeeper Peter Bonetti and two-times trophy winning skipper Ron Harris.

Between them the other two 600 Club members notched 14 goals (all from 'Chopper'), compared to Lampard's 200 and counting. It is virtually impossible to overstate the importance of Super Frank in our club's history.

After drawing at Upton Park, Manchester United's maximum possible points total this season falls to 96. Sir Alex Ferguson had publicly challenged his team to beat the all-time haul of 95, set by Jose Mourinho's Chelsea in 2004/05 but unless they win all five remaining matches the Red Devils will now fall just short.

In the quest for Champions League places Spurs also face a difficult test at home to last season's champions. Man City have won all four of their recent encounters.

Fulham drew 3-3 at the Emirates earlier this season, ex-Spurs man Berbatov grabbing two, and they will fancy their chances of spiking the Gunners again at Craven Cottage.

Sunderland hit form last weekend just at the wrong time for Everton, who impressed in Tuesday's 0-0 draw at Arsenal. However the Mackems have not licked the Toffees for almost 12 years.



- Match preview by chelseafc.com (Rick Glanvill & Paul Dutton)