Michael Owen makes Liverpool vs Chelsea prediction

The former Premier League star has given his thoughts on how the upcoming showdown between Liverpool and Chelsea will end.

Michael Owen has backed Liverpool to claim a 2-1 win over Chelsea this weekend.

Jurgen Klopp’s side will welcome the European champions to Anfield on Saturday for their third Premier League game. It should be a pretty evenly matched tie. Both clubs have enjoyed perfect starts to the season with six points, five goals and two clean sheets.

A key, and perhaps decisive, factor for Saturday’s meeting will be the battle between Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk and Chelsea’s record signing Romelu Lukaku, who scored on his second debut against Arsenal last weekend.

“What a match this should be,” former Reds striker Owen told BetVictor. “Let’s start with Liverpool.

“It’s been a perfect start for Klopp’s side, with two wins from two. I’m sure the thing that Jurgen will be most pleased about so far is keeping back-to-back clean sheets. Van Dijk has looked like he has never been away, and being able to play in front of a packed Anfield crowd makes a massive difference to my old club.

“Chelsea are looking fantastic, though. They don’t seem to have any weaknesses so far, and the size of their squad makes them a hard team to look beyond.

“I loved what I saw from Lukaku against Arsenal, and his movement, in particular, was outstanding. He bullied the Arsenal defense, so I’m curious to see how he gets on here. If any defender could deal with him, it would be Van Dijk. What a duel that will be.

“Call me biased, but I still like Liverpool’s chances here! With the fans back at Anfield, this will feel like a proper occasion, and I think they can edge it 2-1.”