Liverpool’s four-game winning streak hit a massive setback on Tuesday night when they gave up a 3-0 lead and conceded thrice in the second half against Sevilla in UEFA Champions League group stage encounter. Their trip to Spain caused a massive meltdown and the Reds will be low on confidence prior to weekend’s crucial Premier League game against defending champions, Chelsea.
The Blues have shaken off initial shambles and are now back on track with successive wins. The Anfield encounter will thus be a massive test for Jurgen Klopp’s men who will be under immense pressure to fight back and regain their high-flying form prior to Sevilla mishap.
Klopp will be furious about his team’s second-half display against the Spanish heavyweights. However, he has a sigh of relief as Joel Matip, his prime central defensive option is set to return from a thigh strain. The only major absentee is right-back Nathaniel Clyne, who is sidelined for few months following his back surgery.
Klopp has fielded a 4-3-3 formation so far in all games except the one against West Ham United clash and is believed to stick to a similar set-up against Antonio Conte’s Chelsea.
Klopp has preferred Loris Karius between the sticks in Champions League outings but will rely on Mignolet against Chelsea, who saved Diego Costa’s spot-kick last time and helped the Reds to avoid defeat when these two sides locked horns at Anfield last time out.
Trent Alexander-Arnold had an outstanding display against Southampton last Saturday whereas Joe Gomez was the only impressive name in the Liverpool back-line against Sevilla. Klopp will be in quandary but is likely to prefer the latter against the mighty Blues due to his defensive resilience.
Matip’s return will be a major boost for the German tactician who should slot the Cameroonian in his usual central defensive role after the defender missed the game against the Saints and Sevilla due to a minor thigh injury.
The Croatian has shown improvement since his disastrous display against Spurs and will be preferred over Ragnar Klavan to partner Matip at the back.
Moreno was high on confidence until the second half of the Sevilla game, where he was at fault for conceding the first two goals. Klopp was forced to take him off and replaced him with James Milner. Moreno’s vulnerability was exposed for the first time this season but Klopp might hand him another opportunity over Andrew Robertson and James Milner in order to sort out the pandemonium that occurred on Tuesday night.
The skipper has been criticised repeatedly for playing backpasses and his lack of attacking intent. His performance came under scrutiny once again when he failed miserably against Sevilla and could not motivate his men to hold a three-goal lead. He was error-prone, looked vulnerable but might be preferred by the gaffer against the London giants for his experience in such major Premier League outings.
Georginio Wijnaldum might not have done many mistakes but lacks creativity and needs to take his game to the next level. Klopp might bench him against Chelsea and field Emre Can instead, due to his driving runs from the middle. Can should operate in advanced areas and create space up front.
Coutinho is starting games more centrally after the international break and the Brazilian is expected to orchestrate the moves in the final third against the reigning champions.
The Egyptian superstar is the top scorer of the league right now and might have a point to prove against his former employers, who didn’t provide him with enough opportunities to shine.
The Brazilian attacker is the most crucial individual in Klopp’s system due to his high work rate and versatility. He is now back among the goals after scoring twice against Sevilla and is tipped to trouble the Blues backline that has been pretty organised under Antonio Conte.
The Senegalese international was outstanding against Sevilla and also found the back of the net. He, alongside Firmino and Salah, is expected to test the Chelsea defence at Anfield on Saturday evening.
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