TMR Football Blogger, Tim Mallows-

The newest rivalry in the Premier League was established merely six years ago. With Jose Mourinho in charge, Chelsea would go on to secure their first ever Premier League title having already won the League cup earlier in the 2004/5 season, defeating Liverpool in the semi-final on the way. The 2006 FA Cup semi provided Liverpool with revenge as the moved forward to face West Ham at the expense of Chelsea in one of the clubs defining games under Rafa Benitez.

Having found themselves drawn against Liverpool in the semi-final of the Champions League,  Luis Garcia’s own 1966 moment ensured the tension is always at breaking point between the two sides. Add in another semi-final in Europe’s premier competition in which Chelsea came out on top after a thrilling 4-4 draw in the second leg and Sunday’s game between the two is guaranteed to be a taught affair, with the tension ratcheted up by the sensational move of Spaniard Fernando Torres from red to blue.

Cruelly, sports betting markets will likely install Torres as the favourite to score against his old side.

Liverpool endured a torrid start to the season which saw the arrival and departure of Roy Hodgson, and the appointment of Anfield Icon Kenny Dalglish. A rocky start has been preceded by three clean sheets in a row and a lurch up the Premier League table to 7th.

Chelsea, under Carlo Ancelotti, have had their own troubles this season and found themselves out of the Champions League spots as a terrible run of only one win in nine meant the Italian’s job was at one point under pressure.

Having broken free of their restrictions, Chelsea have hit a purple patch in recent weeks, bagging 10 goals in three games as they look to play catch-up with league leaders Manchester United. Banishing the demons of their own personal low point this season, Chelsea eased past Sunderland and seriously stated their intentions for this season.

Ironically it was Liverpool’s win against Chelsea earlier in the season, through the goals of - yes you guessed it -Fernando Torres; that proved to be a high point in Hodgson’s otherwise fruitless reign.

Sunday’s game, with the added layer of tension surrounding the transfer of Torres will ensure it will be a game not to be missed. Torres has promised not to celebrate if he scores out respect to his old club, he will be lucky if Liverpool fans are as considerate if he misses.