What has gone wrong at Chelsea? Inside story on Liverpool rivals who 'downed tools'

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Just a few short weeks ago, Liverpool v Chelsea looked set to be a potential top-five decider as both sides had struggled for form in the hunt for Champions football next season.Liverpool's decline has been well-publicised and no doubt relished by opposition supporters, but Chelsea's drop-off, which accelerated in March and April, has been no less profound.A team that early in the season were tipped by some as title contenders have experienced a complete collapse in the final third of the season, as Liam Rosenior's 10-week tenure dissolved into farce and left the club looking down nervously at the bottom half of the table.READ MORE: Arne Slot provides Alexander Isak and Alisson updates as surprise Liverpool return on cardsREAD MORE: Chelsea boss responds to alarming claim ahead of Liverpool and confirms new injury blowSuch is their position with three games remaining that regardless of finding a win at Anfield, Chelsea will no longer be able to qualify for next season's Champions League - while Liverpool find themselves in the position where one win from the next three would all but confirm at least fifth place.It is not the position either set of supporters hoped to be in at the start of the season. Rosenior had a difficult job on his hands, inheriting a squad that, by all accounts, really liked the previous manager."Pedro Neto told Sky Sports in January he was "surprised" by Maresca's departure, and rumours have circulated that several players were unhappy with the club's decision to part ways with the Italian.Vincent demanded to see more "fight" from players before the end of the season, with it clear that Rosenior had lost the dressing room by the time Chelsea lost 3-0 away to Brighton & Hove Albion in his final game at the helm."The character and personalities within the squad has been really disappointing," he said.

While it's unclear whether Pedro was ever under serious consideration, there was a sense at the time that Liverpool had got the better deal.But with Isak struggling for fitness and form and Ekitike's situation unclear after being ruled out long-term with an Achilles injury, the Reds have been crying out for star power in attack.Despite Pedro's performances, Vincent has been disappointed with the rest of Chelsea's recruitment. Chelsea need to find the right balance because this season has shown, time after time, the squad is immature."Liam Delap, one of Chelsea's marquee signings last summer, has flattered to deceive with just two goals in all competitions and looking a poor fit for the team's style of play.Left-back Marc Cucurella criticised the club's policy of prioritising youth at the cost of signing players at peak age or older in an interview with The Athletic last month, telling directors "you need to find the balance".To compound Chelsea's misery, talisman Cole Palmer has had a season to forget.

He previously oversaw two games as interim after Maresca's sacking, and Vincent was pleased by the team's response in McFarlane's first game back in the FA Cup against Leeds - but still has his doubts over which version of Chelsea will show up on Saturday."The Leeds game was great," he said. Liverpool's midfield have struggled this season, so I think Chelsea may look to win the game in the centre of the pitch."The key thing for the Blues is to possess an attacking threat - but that is something they have really struggled with in the Premier League over the last couple of months."Vincent's final score prediction?