With Chelsea riding a five-match losing streak in the Premier League and arriving at Anfield under interim boss Calum McFarlane, the pressure falls squarely on João Pedro to provide a spark. The Brazilian forward sits third in the Premier League scoring charts with 15 goals, making him far and away Chelsea’s most dangerous attacking threat this season. Liverpool, sitting fourth and still needing points to lock down a Champions League spot with two games left, will be anything but a soft touch. For João Pedro, Anfield on May 9th is precisely the kind of stage where reputations are built.
João Pedro’s recent form
João Pedro’s 15 Premier League goals this season represent Chelsea’s clearest attacking output in what has otherwise been a difficult campaign. With only Erling Haaland (25) and Brentford’s Thiago (22) ahead of him in the scoring charts, the Brazilian has consistently been the one player at Stamford Bridge who can change a game on his own. That individual productivity makes his record all the more striking given Chelsea have lost their last five Premier League matches, conceding nine goals in the process across the three most recent league defeats alone.
In a Chelsea side that has struggled for cohesion under interim manager Calum McFarlane, João Pedro has had to shoulder an increasingly isolated attacking role. The team around him has not provided enough support, evidenced by back-to-back 0-3 and 0-1 home defeats to Brighton and Manchester United. How he performs when service is limited will be a key subplot at Anfield.
The tactical matchup
Liverpool’s defensive setup under Arne Slot has generally been solid at Anfield, but the numbers tell a nuanced story: the Reds have conceded 47 goals in 35 league games, which is not a miserly record for a side pushing for a top-four finish. João Pedro will look to exploit any hesitation in the Liverpool backline, particularly in transition, which is where Chelsea have looked most threatening during their patchy recent run.
Liverpool’s loss at Manchester United (2-3) just last week showed the Reds are not immune to defensive lapses, especially when pressing high and getting caught on the counter. If Chelsea can get João Pedro into half-spaces behind Liverpool’s high defensive line, his movement and finishing instincts give Chelsea their best route to a result.
What’s at stake for him
For João Pedro, reaching 16 Premier League goals would be a genuinely significant personal milestone, placing him in elite company for a Chelsea forward in a single top-flight season. With only two rounds left in the season, every appearance counts. A goal at Anfield, against a side fighting for Champions League qualification, would land with weight beyond just three points for a struggling Chelsea side.
There is also a broader picture: Chelsea’s final position this season (currently ninth, 48 points) is unlikely to shift dramatically in either direction, but João Pedro’s individual form will shape how his profile is perceived heading into the summer transfer window and the next campaign. A strong finish to the season matters for his standing within the club and his international ambitions.
Key Stats
Our Prediction
Liverpool’s home advantage and Chelsea’s current defensive fragility make a Reds win the most logical outcome. But João Pedro has shown all season that he can produce in almost any context, and Chelsea’s best-case scenario runs entirely through him. Expect at least one threatening moment from the Brazilian, though whether it translates into a goal may depend on how much support arrives around him. Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea, with João Pedro keeping his personal tally alive.