Liverpool’s season looks to have amounted to nothing, but they could put a major dent in Chelsea’s title bid.

With just two games of the season remaining, the Reds are close to being put out of their misery.

Europa League heartache against Atletico Madrid on Thursday summed up their campaign, with Rafa Benitez’s side now set to miss out on any silverware and possibly a top-four finish.

They must take maximum points from their remaining fixtures to have any hope of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League, but even that might not be enough.

The only positive for Liverpool at the moment is that they are unbeaten in five Premier League outings and are on course to finish with a flourish.

They have also won nine and lost none of their last 10 top-flight games on home soil, with Anfield becoming something of a fortress once more.

The Reds also boast a more than respectable record against Chelsea on Merseyside over recent years, with the Blues having left empty-handed on 11 occasions during the Premier League era.

The capital giants have also failed to score in four of their last six league meetings with Liverpool, suggesting they are yet to work out how best to play Benitez’s side.

Carlo Ancelotti knows he cannot afford to draw a blank again this weekend, with it imperative Chelsea take maximum points from their trip to the North West.

A win, coupled with a Manchester United defeat at Sunderland later in the day, would be enough for them to wrap up the title.

However, with it looking increasingly likely that the battle will go down to the wire, they will be keen to head into the final day with some sort of a lead.

They have been absolutely flying of late, ensuring confidence around the camp is sky high, with their last six outings bringing 23 goals and five wins.

Liverpool will still be without talismanic frontman Fernando Torres, following knee surgery, but their problems have eased slightly this week.

Dirk Kuyt and David Ngog were both involved in continental competition in midweek, with Kuyt fit enough to start against Atletico, and they are likely to be involved again on Sunday.

Emiliano Insua is struggling to figure again this season, as he nurses a thigh complaint, and the Argentine full-back will not be available against the Blues.

Benitez must decide whether to stick with the system he used on Thursday, which saw Javier Mascherano used at right-back and Alberto Aquilani and Steven Gerrard paired in the middle of midfield, or shuffle his pack again.

Chelsea do not expect to have John Obi Mikel available for selection at Anfield.

The Nigerian midfielder is still struggling with a knee problem and will not be rushed back into action.

Michael Essien is also nursing a knee injury, and misses out as a result, while Jose Bosingwa has been ruled out for the remainder of the season and this summer’s World Cup.

Ricardo Carvalho is making steady progress in his recovery from an ankle knock, but it remains to be seen whether the Portuguese centre-half is thrown back into action this weekend, while John Terry returns from suspension to skipper the side.

Possible starting XIs

Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Kyrgiakos, Carragher, Agger, Kuyt, Mascherano, Aquilani, Benayoun, Gerrard, Torres.

Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, Alex, Terry, Ashley Cole, Ballack, Lampard, Malouda, Kalou, Drogba, Anelka.