Liverpool vs Chelsea predictions: Chelsea line-up

Chelsea barely managed a win against Slavia Prague, with Maurizio Sarri resting the usual suspects in preparation for the weekend clash. The Blues face Liverpool in what should be a firecracker of a contest. It looks like the club has finally adjusted to Sarri’s style of play, with a few wonderful results.

Yet, Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp will prove to be their toughest test with just five games remaining. Both the sides have high aims, and while Liverpool are chasing the title, the Blues need to finish in the top four. That complicates things but their unbeaten four-game run should help their cause.

For Liverpool, this is yet another must game in a series of must-wins but they can take some hope in the fact that it is their last big game. After this, the Reds will have no top-six team on the horizion, with their toughest test being Wolverhampton Wanderers on the final day.

Team News

Maurizio Sarri has a fully-fit team at his disposal. The only players injured are Marco Van Ginkel and Ethan Ampadu but they both do not play first-team football for the club at the moment.

Probable Chelsea XI

Formation: 4-3-3

Manager: Maurizio Sarri

Kepa Arrizabalga (GK)

The Spaniard is the world’s most expensive goalkeeper and played relatively well against Slavia Prague.

Cesar Azpilicueta (RB)

Chelsea’s consistent man, the Spaniard has played every game this season and will continue that trend.

David Luiz (CB)

Not the centre-back he once was, Luiz has played 31 out of the 33 available games this season.

Antonio Rudiger (CB)

Among Chelsea’s best players, the former AS Roma man has justified his place in the starting eleven with more than a few impressive performances.

Emerson (LB)

Since Marcos Alonso has been defensively unreilable, Emerson has to get his chance to prove his worth on a consistent basis.

Jorginho (CM)

He struggled to dominate against Slavia Prague, and Chelsea will need their maestro to find his form once again.

N’Golo Kante (CM)

The best defensive midfielder in the world, the 27-year-old was rested for the mid-week fixture.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek (CM)

With the 23-year-old in the side, Chelsea look like a different team and that shows why he needs to play every game going forward.

Willian (RW)

Another player who struggled against Slavia Prague, the Brazilian eventually stepped up and got the assist for the winning goal.

Gonzalo Higuain (CF)

While he hasn’t lit England on fire, the Argentine has the ability to step up in big games, and there are few games bigger at this stage of the season.

Read more Chelsea news, click here: Chelsea latest news

Eden Hazard (LW)

Chelsea’s player of the season so far, the Blues will need the Belgian to step up against a rather rampant Liverpool side.