Gary Neville has warned Cole Palmer that Liverpool will be really aggressive against him ahead of Chelsea’s trip to Anfield after the international break.
The Blues have made a good start to life under Enzo Maresca and currently sit fourth with 14 points from their first seven games.
Chelsea have recorded some impressive results, but they will face a real test of their credentials after the international break with their next four league games against Liverpool, Newcastle, Manchester United and Arsenal.
Neville’s warning to Palmer
The game against Liverpool will be Chelsea’s first big test of the season, whilst the Blues represent the same for Arne Slot’s side.
The Reds have made an impressive start to the season and are the early league leaders with 18 points, just a point ahead of Manchester City and Arsenal.
Chelsea have made good progress under Maresca from pre-season until now, but Anfield is one of the most difficult places to go and the Blues haven’t got the best record there.
Maresca has plenty of attacking quality at his disposal to hurt Liverpool, especially Cole Palmer, but Neville had a few words of warning for the England international ahead of that game.
“I always think that Anfield is the toughest place to get space,” he told NBC Sports.
“And you think about how Cole Palmer plays, and the way he always looks like he’s got time on the ball, it’ll be interesting to see how he does at Anfield and how Liverpool will attend to him.
“[They will] be really aggressive against him and test him. They won’t want to let him have any joy in the game and encouragement early on.
“Anfield can be a place where you can get bullied a little bit, off the crowd, the atmosphere. I’ll be a test for them.”
Palmer has had a brilliant start to the season with six goals and five assists in the first seven games and Chelsea will be hoping he can produce against Liverpool as they look for what would be a statement win.
