London, Oct 1 (DPA) Chelsea captain John Terry insists his side are ready for the visit of Liverpool Sunday – despite a poor performance in the Champions League.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side could only manage a 1-0 win in Cyprus against APOEL Nicosia Wednesday, and having suffered their first Premier League defeat of the season at Wigan Athletic last Saturday, there are serious concerns about their form.
Although they won their opening five games of the season, Sunday’s fixture will be Chelsea’s first this season against another member of the Big Four.
Liverpool also had a disappointing week, losing 2-0 to Fiorentina in the Champions League.
“We have to be better against Liverpool,” said Terry.
“They are a very good side who had a tough result yesterday. They will be up for it and they are a big club, so we will have to respond again when we play them.
“The confidence wasn’t knocked at Wigan – you can’t afford not to believe in yourselves or your team-mates.”
Liverpool should have Javier Mascherano back for the game at Stamford Bridge after he missed the Champions League set-back with a hamstring injury.
“We need to get the defeat in Florence out of our system quickly,” said Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, “because we have a massive game now at Chelsea on Sunday.
“What we need is to produce a reaction from this defeat at Stamford Bridge, that has to be the aim now.”
Champions and league leaders Manchester United are at home to inconsistent Sunderland.
They will be without forward Michael Owen after he tweaked a hamstring in the 2-1 victory over Wolfsburg on Wednesday.
Sunderland could be without midfielder Lee Cattermole who is struggling with a heel problem.
Arsenal, after a comfortable 2-0 win over Olympiacos in the Champions League, face Blackburn Rovers, with Theo Walcott available for the first time this season.
The forward has had a back problem, but played 60 minutes of a friendly Monday.
Manchester City, who are looking to make it a big five this year, travel to Aston Villa Monday.
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