Chelsea will be bidding to make it four Premier League wins on the bounce on Wednesday evening when they travel to Anfield to take on Liverpool.
Three days after securing their spot in the Carabao Cup final with a thumping 6-1 semi-final second-leg victory over Middlesbrough, the Blues were held to a 0-0 draw with Aston Villa in the FA Cup fourth round last Friday, with both teams consigned for a replay next week. Mauricio Pochettino would have been frustrated with his team’s lack of cutting edge in the final third and missed opportunities in front of goal against Aston Villa.
The Argentinean tactician will hope to see his boys take their chances against Liverpool, who are unbeaten at home across all competitions this season and head into this juicy fixture off the back of a 5-2 win over Norwich City in the FA Cup fourth round.
Chelsea Team News
Levi Colwill is a doubt to face Liverpool after missing Friday’s 0-0 draw with Aston Villa in the FA Cup due to a hamstring issue. He withdrew from the warm-up after feeling tightness in his hamstring, but Chelsea feel the issue is minor.
Christopher Nkunku (hip) has taken part in training this week and could potentially return for Chelsea’s trip to Anfield. But Reece James, Lesley Ugochukwu, Wesley Fofana, Robert Sanchez, Marc Cucurella, Romeo Lavia and Trevoh Chalobah remain sidelined, while Nicolas Jackson is unlikely to play a major part, if any, despite Senegal getting knocked out of AFCON on Monday.
Predicted Chelsea lineup vs Liverpool (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper
Djordje Petrovic made a couple of fine saves to deny Aston Villa a late winner against Chelsea in the FA Cup. He has proven himself to be a steady presence in goal in the injury absence of Robert Sanchez, and the American should start against Liverpool.
Defence
Malo Gusto has resumed training but is unlikely to be involved from the start. This should see Axel Disasi move to the right-back slot in the Chelsea lineup, with Alfie Gilchrist dropping to the bench.
Ben Chilwell, who was a substitute against Villa, should be fit enough to start his first Premier League match since September, having only recently returned from a four-month layoff. Benoit Badiashile, meanwhile, could be trusted to partner veteran Thiago Silva at the heart of the Blues’ defence.
Chelsea’s defensive quartet have to be at their sublime best to stop Liverpool from scoring.
Midfield
There is no looking past Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo in the middle of the park, and the South American duo have to work well together to stop the home side from dominating Chelsea.
Conor Gallagher’s energy, industry and creativity from the No.10 role will be key in unlocking the Liverpool defence as well as stopping them from playing through Chelsea’s midfield.
Attack
Cole Palmer is Chelsea’s top scorer this season, and having thrived in a false 9 role against Middlesbrough last week, he is expected to continue in that role at Anfield. Raheem Sterling will hope to haunt his former employers from the left flank in the Chelsea lineup while Noni Madueke should be keen to produce a productive display from the opposite wing.
Armando Broja, Carney Chukwuemeka and Mykhaylo Mudryk could be of great help from the bench for the Pensioners.
