Chelsea host Liverpool at Stamford Bridge in this evening’s Premier League fixture, our first under interim head coach Bruno Saltor. However, whatever else is going on at the clubs, Ruben Loftus-Cheek believes some things never change, like the fact that the Reds will always be an opponent to be wary of and facing them will always feel like a big game.

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The Anfield side have had their own difficulties this season, sitting four points ahead of the Blues in eighth place in the table after losing their last two Premier League matches, but had shown recent signs of returning to the form which saw them challenging for the title regularly.

Speaking ahead of tonight’s meeting in west London, Loftus-Cheek was in no doubt we have to go into the game expecting to face a formidable opponent in Liverpool.

‘The games against Liverpool are always intense physically and a battle,’ he said. ‘They haven’t been at their best like they have been for the last few years and the standard they’ve set is very high.

‘Just like us they’ve had a bit of change. Not as much, but they’ve had some players go out, some important players for them in the last few seasons that have been a big factor in their success. The likes of Sadio Mane and players like this. Sometimes you don’t realise how much of an effect they have on the team.

‘But the Premier League is so hard these days. I don’t think people understand that the level of the football is so high and it’s getting higher. The intensity is so high with all the teams, anyone can beat anyone and to be at the top of the Premier League is a big feat.

‘And it’s very hard to keep doing that. So it’s what happens in football but they’ve picked up their form recently. They can always just go out and beat Manchester United 7-0 and that’s how it is, so we always have to be prepared for teams like this.’

While this edition of Chelsea against Liverpool may not be the top-of-the-table clash with a title at stake it has been in the past, Loftus-Cheek doesn’t expect that to lessen the intensity on the pitch or in the stands when two Premier League heavyweights go head-to-head, which could work in our favour at Stamford Bridge.

‘It’s big, they’re a huge club,’ added Ruben. ‘I think playing for Chelsea you always want to win, but when you’re playing against other big teams you feel like they’re your rival and you’ve always got this extra ambition, that little switch in mentality that you’re ready to bring your best physically and mentally. You always want to get the edge over them, the bragging rights, and of course three points.

‘The fans love these games and the atmosphere in the stadium is always big and loud and that helps us playing at home. As players we love to play in these games. It’s the best games to play in when you’re playing other big teams and we’ll have to bring our best because they’ll likely want to beat us even more. But we enjoy these games the most so I’m ready for it.’