Frank Lampard’s Chelsea side will be looking to continue their positive start to the new league season when they welcome champions Liverpool to Stamford Bridge this Sunday. The Anfield club are themselves coming into this tie on the back of a motivating 4-3 victory over Leeds United, after the Whites gave Jurgen Klopp’s side a real run for their money. Chelsea had to overcome the challenge of Brighton away on the opening day, and despite not putting up the most fluent performance, they were able to get the job done in the end.
Team News
Chelsea
All the members missing from Lampard’s squad have gradually begun to regain fitness, but it’s unlikely that they’ll all return in time for this clash. Thiago Silva and Ben Chilwell started training with the first-team after last weekend, but this match against Liverpool could come too early for the duo. Timo Werner and Kai Havertz we’re both given debuts on the weekend, and they’re expected to continue in the side despite the former picking up a slight niggle. Hakim Ziyech is another player who is currently on the sidelines, while Mateo Kovacic has now served his suspension and is available for selection. Christian Pulisic is another that remains a doubt for this fixture.
Predicted Lineup: Kepa; James, Christensen, Zouma, Azpilicueta; Kante, Barkley, Kovacic; Havertz, Werner, Mount
Liverpool
There is a lack of clarity surrounding the current situation of former Arsenal man Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who suffered a knee problem back in August. Without a set timeline in place, it’s highly unlikely that the Englishman makes his return to the side for his high-profile clash. Kostas Tsimikas had tested positive for the Coronavirus after arriving in London, but the Greek speedster has now healed completely and has begun training with the team as well. Xherdan Shaqiri has suffered a slight muscle injury but could be in line to make the bench for this tie.
Predicted Lineup: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Wijnaldum, Fabinho, Henderson; Salah, Firmino, Mane
Here Is The Chelsea Vs Liverpool Tactical Preview:
Chelsea Vs Liverpool Tactical Preview
Talking Tactics
Chelsea
Frank Lampard’s new-look Chelsea team will be playing their second ever league match. Although he went with a unique 4-2-2-2 formation in the last game, experimenting like that against the league champions could end up having dire consequences. Expect the Chelsea legend to stick to proven methods for this clash, with Kante operating as the lone pivot. Chelsea will likely look to control the midfield area and take advantage of the defensive fragility that Liverpool have been displaying. The addition of Werner into the mix could mean that Lampard aims to take advantage of the German’s explosive pace against Van Dijk and Gomez.
Liverpool
The Reds were far from their absolute best against Leeds United on the weekend but still managed to find the goals required to see out the result. Despite the questions about the Chelsea defence-line, it’s unlikely that they’ll allow Liverpool to score four times. The Anfield club could be forced to spend a majority of the fixture without the ball, with Chelsea expected to maintain possession in the midfield area. Utilising the pace of Mane and Salah to attack what is an insecure Chelsea defence must be the way to go. The movement of Firmino could open up massive spaces for them to exploit in the central areas of the pitch as well.
Key Men
Chelsea
Although the midfield work of French World Cup winner N’Golo Kante will be pivotal to Chelsea, most of their attacking hopes will be on the shoulders of German striker Timo Werner. The former Leipzig man showed himself in an excellent light last weekend despite not directly getting on the scoresheet.
Liverpool
Former Chelsea man Mohamed Salah is undoubtedly the most important player in Jurgen Klopp’s roster. His ability to change matches with just a single moment of brilliance is sure to be the envy of most Premier League managers. Expect the Egyptian to be eager to find the net against his former club this weekend too.
