3 lessons Arne Slot should've learned from Liverpool's recent Chelsea meetings

Liverpool is set to face Chelsea on Sunday in a matchup with surprising title implications .

Arne Slot's Reds sit top of the Premier League table with 18 points in 7 games and Enzo Maresca's Blues. Recently, Liverpool have a strong record in the league against Chelesa. The Reds have won four and drawn five of the pair's last 10 fixtures, and that doesn't include three cup final victories along the way.

Chelsea has completely revamped its squad in recent seasons - the starting XI Liverpool face on Sunday will hardly resemble the teams in recent clashes. Still, here are three lessons - not tactical, just observational - for Slot to take into Sunday's clash:

• Every word Arne Slot just said on Trent Alexander-Arnold, Chelsea and Liverpool fixtures
• Pep Guardiola makes new Man City future admission as Liverpool will be impacted by decision

Trust Caoimhin Kelleher

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker will likely be out through November's international break, meaning backup Caomihin Kelleher will get an extended look between the posts for the Reds

Kelleher has pulled the rabbit out of the hat against Chelsea on multiple occasions. He's kept clean sheets against Chelsea in three consecutive cup finals dating back to 2022; admittedly, he's had the help of the post on multiple occasions.

Here's the real wrinkle for Slot: Kelleher knows he's getting an extended run in the team. If he makes an error, he's still going to start the next game. Hopefully, that emboldens the Reds keeper on Sunday.

Chelsea might hold possession

You've heard the story before: Chelsea held coach Maresca served as an assistant coach under Pep Guardiola and is a tiki-taka disciple. While that isn't true in every sense, the Italian manager does like to hold the ball.

Chelsea had 48 percent possession against Guardiola's Manchester City on the opening day of the 2024/25 Premier League season and besides a game against Brighton a few weeks ago, has had the possession advantage in each game. The Blues even managed 49 percent of the ball against the Reds in Liverpool's 4-1 victory back in January.

Midfielder Enzo Fernandez and Mosies Caicedo have over a season of experience together. While Arne Slot likes to hold the ball, don't be surprised if the possession battle is close to even.

Don't be afraid of Darwin Nunez chaos

If the game is evenly split possession-wise and features a similar amount chances for both sides (just like the three cup finals were), Liverpool might need a moment of individual magic to decide the match.

Enter Darwin Nunez , the ultimate agent of chaos. The Uruguay international somehow hit the post four times during Liverpool's 4-1 victory in January.

Nunez has mostly featured off the bench for the Reds this year and will likely be a secondary option for Slot on Sunday. If the game is locked in a 0-0 stalemate, Nunez is the man for the moment.