Xabi Alonso will be desperate for his Chelsea side to bounce back after Saturday’s dismal defeat to Tottenham with a win at Liverpool – but Chelsea fans are even less confident after an announcement.

The Blues suffered a 2-0 home defeat to Tottenham on Saturday as Alonso got his tactics wrong, with Joao Pedro unavailable. It was only the second time that Spurs have beaten Chelsea away in 42 games.

Chelsea have the chance to put that to bed with a win over Liverpool on Wednesday night. They go to Anfield to face Alonso’s old side for the first time as Chelsea manager, and the third as a manager.

Chelsea fans discuss Darren England appointment

Darren England has been appointed as referee for the clash, an official who leaves Chelsea with a bad taste in their mouths. England was in charge for the FA Cup final, which saw Man City secure a 1-0 win.

Antoine Semenyo scored the only goal of the game, after two questionable tackles from Chelsea target Abdukodir Khusanov on Jorrel Hato and Pedro Neto. The game continues without VAR’s intervention.

That came after England failed to award Chelsea with a penalty after a handball by Declan Rice during a 2-1 loss to Arsenal at The Emirates in the Premier League, under Liam Rosenior. Fans are not happy.

One Chelsea fan responded to the announcement that England will be in control, posting: “Penalty to Liverpool, Kop End”. Another said: “No VAR… there is 100% going to be a controversial pen to Liverpool.”

“It is always rigged”, “not looking good for Chelsea”, and “worst ref in the country” were more responses from Chelsea fans following the news that England will be the man in the middle on Wednesday night.

Chelsea’s overall record while Darren England is referee

Chelsea have had England as the referee on nine separate occasions, twice in The FA Cup and seven times in the Premier League. In three of the last four games, Chelsea have suffered defeat with England as ref.

We’ve discussed two of those three losses, the other being a 3-1 hammering at Elland Road against Leeds United towards the end of Enzo Maresca’s reign. The 3-1 away win over Palace under Rosenior, too.

Overall, Chelsea have won three games when England has the whistle, losing three times and drawing three more. He has reffed 12 Liverpool matches, with the Reds winning five times, losing three others.