Chelsea moved to the final of the FA Cup by beating Manchester United this weekend but they still need to secure a place in the top-four of this season’s Premier League table.
Right now, the Blues are third on the table with 63 points and next up they take on current champions Liverpool at Anfield.
Chelsea are undefeated in 9 of their last 10 away matches against Liverpool in all competitions and they have had a really impressive defensive record in away games over the past couple of months.
Liverpool have nothing to play for and picking up all three points will be their only objective in midweek. But for Chelsea, a lot is riding on this since a defeat could push them out of the top-four once again.
Chelsea team news vs Liverpool:
Willy Caballero started in goal vs Man United but Kepa Arrizabalaga will return to the starting line-up on Wednesday.
Reece James should be rested meaning Cesar Azpiliceuta will play as the right-back while Marcos Alonso will once again start at left-back.
Rudiger and Zouma started in defence against Manchester United on Sunday but the latter is expected to make way for Christensen.
N’Golo Kante is still recovering from his hamstring injury and some rumours claim he will be fit enough to play against Liverpool in midweek. If the Frenchman is not available then once again Jorginho will get a start.
Kovacic and Mason Mount both started in central midfield at Wembley and we have a feeling that Lampard will not want to change this combination vs Liverpool as well.
But if he does need to shake things up a bit then Ross Barkley could be introduced in place of Mateo Kovacic.
Christian Pulisic remained an unused sub vs Manchester United but the American will surely get a start on Wednesday at Anfield.
Olivier Giroud is clearly the in-form striker for Chelsea at this moment and if fatigue is not a problem then the Frenchman will retain his place in the first XI.
Willian put in yet another fine shift vs Solskjaer’s men and Lampard will undoubtedly keep him in the line-up against Liverpool.
Chelsea’s predicted XI vs Liverpool:
Possible starting XI: Arrizabalaga; Rudiger, Zouma/Christensen, Azpiliceuta, Alonso; Jorginho/Kante, Barkley/Kovacic, Mason Mount; Giroud, Pulisic, Willian.
Stats via Whoscored.com.
