Liverpool are looking to kickstart their 2022 in a positive manner as they lock horns with Chelsea on Sunday. It is a must-win fixture for Jurgen Klopp’s men, who are running the risk of losing out on the title race after dropping points in the last two consecutive matches. A win against Chelsea, however, could help them regain second place while bridging the gap at the top to just six points.
Predicted Liverpool Lineup Vs Chelsea
Defence
Liverpool are mostly missing fringe players due to injuries, including Nathaniel Phillips. However, on Sunday, they will be without the services of their premium left-back in Andrew Robertson. The Scot is still serving a three-match ban after his red card against Tottenham Hotspur, a week before Boxing Day.
Robertson’s absence should once again force Jurgen Klopp to play Kostas Tsimikas at left-back, whereas Trent Alexander-Arnold remains a guaranteed starter on the opposite flank.
Klopp will have a decision to make in central defence, where he could persist with the combination of Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip. But the German may shuffle things up by replacing Matip with Ibrahima Konate. We are suspecting the latter given the hectic schedule Liverpool have to deal with in the coming weeks.
And finally, there should be no changes in goal as Alisson Becker eyes his first clean sheet in five matches.
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Midfield
Thiago Alcantara is by far Liverpool’s biggest injury-related absentee. Even then, the midfielder is only a minor doubt due to muscle fatigue and the fact that he has recently returned from a positive COVID test. He may still start the game on the bench.
Thiago’s absence from the starting eleven should see Klopp deploy Naby Keita as the third midfielder, alongside Jordan Henderson and Fabinho. The former RB Leipzig playmaker should get the nod ahead of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain due to his technical prowess which could be useful in breaching the lines of the Chelsea defence this weekend.
Attack
Liverpool will be fortunate enough to have both Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah available before they jet off to their respective countries for the upcoming African Cup of Nations.
Klopp, therefore, should have no hesitation in starting them both alongside Diogo Jota as the Liverpool front three looks to take on the depleted Chelsea defence that has struggled a lot recently.
