The gulf was seemingly minimal when Liverpool locked horns with Chelsea back in October, but the Blues head into Sunday's clash at Stamford Bridge a whopping 22 points behind the newly-crowned Premier League champions.
Enzo Maresca's side were seemingly blossoming into title contenders off the back of their defeat at Anfield, but an unproductive Christmas preceded a sluggish start to the new year. As a result, Chelsea have long earmarked a spot in next season's Champions League as their primary goal, and a five-game unbeaten run in the top-flight leaves the Blues in fifth ahead of Liverpool's visit.
The hosts are poised to benefit from the Reds' early coronation, with Arne Slot already noting that his final four lineups to conclude the season will look different to the teams which inspired Liverpool to league title #20.
While the visitors are hunting a 90-point haul, Chelsea are in need of a positive result to bolster their top-five hopes. High-profile duels are set to litter Sunday's fixture, and here are three key battles which could prove decisive in determining the victor.
