Liverpool will look to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table on Wednesday evening when they lock horns with Chelsea at Anfield.
The Reds marked their first game since Jurgen Klopp’s stunning announcement to leave the club at the end of the season with an excellent 5-2 home win over Norwich City in the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday. The win saw them extend their unbeaten run in all competitions to 10 games, but the Jurgen Klopp-managed side’s grit is set to be tested in back-to-back league fixtures against Chelsea and Arsenal in the space of five days.
Boasting a 22-game unbeaten league run at Anfield, the Merseyside outfit have every right to feel positive heading into the game, but they welcome a Chelsea side—who for all their ups and downs this season—haven’t lost to Klopp’s men inside 90 minutes since September 2020.
Liverpool Team News
Alexis Mac Allister picked up a slight knock in last week’s Carabao Cup semi-finals’ second leg visit to Fulham and sat out the weekend win over Norwich in the FA Cup, but Klopp confirmed that the midfielder is expected to be available for the Chelsea clash. Andy Robertson, Dominik Szoboszlai and Trent Alexander-Arnold all returned to action against Norwich on Sunday and are in contention to start.
In another big boost for Liverpool, Thiago Alcantara made his return to full training on Monday, although the Spanish midfielder will not be considered for the Chelsea game.
Predicted Liverpool lineup vs Chelsea (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper
Alisson Becker is Liverpool’s undisputed No.1 and should start against Chelsea, hoping to keep a clean sheet after conceding twice on Sunday.
Defence
Having rotated his squad well by handing opportunities to a few youngsters against Norwich in the FA Cup, the senior figures are set to return to the first team on Wednesday. Virgil van Dijk should come back in and lead the side, with Ibrahima Konate partnering the Dutchman in central defence against Chelsea.
Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold are expected to start at left-back and right-back respectively after returning from injury and making substitute appearances at the weekend.
Midfield
Alexis Mac Allister has shaken off a knock that forced him to sit out of the FA Cup tie against Norwich, and the Argentinean World Cup winner is fit to start here. He will be holding the fort in the centre of the park, allowing the likes of Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai to play with freedom and make inroads in the final third.
Liverpool’s potential midfield troika will hope to push Mauricio Pochettino’s side on the back foot as early as possible and dictate the tempo of play. Ryan Gravenberch could be introduced off the bench in the second half if the Reds need more poise and control in midfield.
Attack
Luis Diaz will be pushing to start on the left flank after coming on as a substitute against Norwich, and Cody Gakpo could be the fall guy as Klopp is expected to stick with in-form duo Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez in attack. Jota will start in the No.9 role, flanked by Nunez and Diaz.
Gakpo and Harvey Elliot will be raring to make an impression against Chelsea if called upon by the manager.