Liverpool will host Chelsea at the weekend with both teams needing a win to keep their hopes of respective goals alive. Liverpool are challenging Manchester City for the Premier League title, and Chelsea needs a win to keep them in the race for the top four.
Both the teams are coming on the back of a victory in the European competitions, but the Reds should be well rested for this Sunday’s clash as they played Tuesday night. Chelsea, on the other hand, played on Thursday and were on the road to play their Czech rivals Slavia Praha.
Sarri’s men have tapered off in the last few months, but they have managed some crucial results in the last few games on the back of some inspiring displays from their talismanic winger Eden Hazard. Sarri would once again pin hopes on the Belgian to carry his side to a positive result at Anfield.
Team News
Marcos Alonso has recovered from his hamstring issue. Sarri didn’t start with N’Golo Kante, David Luiz, Hazard, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Gonzalo Higuain in the last game and it was clear that he had one eye on the Sunday’s clash. All of them are expected to feature in the starting eleven. Ethan Ampadu and Marco van Ginkel are going to miss out due to injuries.
Chelsea Predicted Lineup Vs Liverpool
Formation (4-3-3)
Defence
Kepa Arrizabalaga is expected to start in goal for the Blues. David Luiz and Antonio Rudiger are expected to partner up at the back once again. Marcos Alonso scored a goal in the Europa League tie, but we don’t see him starting. Emerson was rested most likely for the Liverpool game, and the Italian international should start down the left. Cesar Azpilicueta is a nailed on starter on the right side of the defence.
Midfield
Jorginho is expected to occupy the deepest role in midfield. N’golo Kante should return in the starting eleven. Ruben Loftus Cheek has been impressive in the last few games, and he is likely to start in midfield ahead of Ross Barkley and Mateo Kovacic.
Attack
Like Emerson, Callum Hudson-Odoi wasn’t part of the squad in the last game. So we expect him to start down the right against the Merseyside club. Eden Hazard should be on the left flank, but he will be in a free role in the attacking third. Gonzalo Higuain has found it hard to settle in England, but with no plausible alternatives, the Argentine striker is expected to lead the line.
