After their fantastic title win last season, Chelsea have found things difficult this term. The Blues had appointed Antonio Conte as their boss last season and the Italian cast his magic as he led Chelsea to the league title.
However, things turned ugly last summer after the club lost Diego Costa and Nemanja Matic and had to replace them with Alvaro Morata and Tiemoue Bakayoko. Neither of the replacements was good enough as the Blues lost their way in the league and now are in danger of losing out on a European spot as well.
They are currently fifth in the table and will have to depend on the results of other teams to qualify for Europe. They have performed below par throughout and Antonio Conte’s coaching has come under intense scrutiny.
The Italian will be hoping to lead the Blues to victory in the last three league matches of the season and follow it up with a win in the FA Cup as well. They have their first test coming up against Liverpool this week and the Blues will have to win at Stamford Bridge at any cost to keep their hopes alive.
They will be facing a supremely confident Liverpool side who will know even a draw on the night will be enough for them to guarantee them a spot in the top four. Moreover, the Blues will be up against their former player Mohamed Salah who will be out to prove a point to the Chelsea hierarchy.
Here is how they will want to line up against the Reds for the all-important tie at Stamford Bridge.
Formation: 3-4-3
Defence
Thibaut Courtois will play in goal and will have to be at his best to deny Liverpool any chances on the night. Cesar Azpilicueta, Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger are expected to be the three players in defence. They will be tasked with controlling Liverpool’s front three of Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino.
Marcos Alonso will be expected to return at left wing back for Chelsea after having completed his three match ban. Victor Moses is expected to get the nod ahead of Davide Zappacosta at the right wing-back position.
Midfield
N’Golo Kante and Cesc Fabregas are expected to be the two midfielders with Kante cleaning up the Liverpool attacks and Fabregas spreading the play for Chelsea.
Attack
Eden Hazard will be expected to play on the left flank with Willian on the right. Alvaro Morata might finally get a start with Oliver Giroud on the bench.
