Chelsea travel to Anfield this weekend under heavy pressure, with Calum McFarlane denying claims the squad has stopped competing, as the club sits ninth in the Premier League table and drifts away from Champions League qualification after a damaging 3-1 defeat against relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest.
The Forest loss extended Chelsea’s league slump to six straight defeats, matching the joint-longest such sequence in club history and their first run of this length since a sequence between October and November 1993, while disgruntled supporters left Stamford Bridge in large numbers before the final whistle.
Should Chelsea lose at Anfield, it would mark seven consecutive league defeats for the first time since a sequence between November and
December 1952, while this current period also includes four straight Premier League home losses, something previously recorded only once, between August and September 1978.
Recent meetings with Liverpool offer little comfort, as Chelsea have managed a single win from the last 10 Premier League away fixtures against the Merseyside side, drawing five and losing four, with that sole success a 1-0 victory in March 2021 during Thomas Tuchel’s tenure.
Chelsea’s defensive record adds to the concern, with the team conceding in 13 successive top-flight matches and allowing three goals in four of the previous five league games, though upcoming opponents Liverpool have also endured difficulties, losing 11 league matches this season, their highest total since the 2014-15 campaign under Brendan Rodgers, when they suffered 12 defeats.
Key statistics from both sides’ league campaigns highlight the strain on each club in numerical terms.
| Team | Current league losing streak | Season league defeats | Notable historical comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chelsea | 6 matches | Not specified | First six-match league losing streak since Oct-Nov 1993 |
| Liverpool | Not specified | 11 matches | Most league defeats in a season since 2014-15 (12) |
Chelsea vs Liverpool Premier League dressing-room mood
Despite the grim figures, McFarlane insisted preparation remains strong within Cobham, rejecting the idea that players have eased off during matches and pointing instead to a failure to reproduce training intensity under competitive pressure, while highlighting one performance against Leeds United as a moment that briefly suggested improvement.
"I would not agree with that, McFarlane said. The performances haven't been good enough. We are in a really bad run at the moment. The Leeds [United] performance was a glimmer where we thought we could build on that, but we weren't able to do that. I see these boys every day, every training session, every meeting and in the gym. They are in a good place to go and attack games. We just haven't been able to translate that to the game on Monday, so hopefully, we can improve that on Saturday. "
Chelsea vs Liverpool Premier League squad fitness and injuries
McFarlane outlined a mixed fitness picture before the Liverpool fixture, confirming that goalkeeper Robert Sanchez will miss the trip after sustaining a serious head injury following a collision with Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White, while Jesse Derry is also unavailable for selection this weekend.
There is concern over Pedro Neto and Alejandro Garnacho, who both face late checks, while there was more encouraging news concerning defensive pair Reece James and Levi Colwill, who have stepped up training involvement across the week ahead of the squad’s journey to Anfield.
"Neto and Garnacho are carrying knocks, so it is looking unlikely that they will be available, McFarlane said. Rob is also not going to be available after theinjury that he sustainedin the Nottingham Forest game. We've got a few lads returning. Levi [Colwill] and Reece [James] have trained a full week. It's looking promising. We've still got another session, but they both trained fully [on Thursday]. We are hopeful. "
Chelsea vs Liverpool Premier League narrative and external criticism
The club’s situation drew criticism from former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher after the Forest defeat, with Carragher describing Chelsea as broken, a verdict delivered during a season in which the club has already dismissed Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior from the head coach role during the 2025-26 campaign.
"It is Jamie's job to give his opinion, and I respect that. That's his job, and that's what he is there to do, McFarlane added. I can only speak on my experience at this club, and I think there are a lot of foundations for this team to have success. We are not in the best form at the moment, we are not performing the way we should be, but I do think that there are foundations there to be successful. "
Up next: #LIVCHEpic.twitter.com/rPuHJFbEERChelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) May 6, 2026
With Champions League hopes fading, historical losing records close to being matched and several senior players doubtful, Chelsea approach the Liverpool match needing a sharp response to changing momentum, as McFarlane leans on what is viewed internally as a solid base while seeking immediate improvement in results and performances.
