Liverpool have made the perfect start to their new campaign winning both their Premier League matches so far. But there’s every chance they could stumble this weekend as they prepare to take on Chelsea.
Six points from the first two matches will give Jurgen Klopp a lot of confidence(especially after that really poor run last season) but this weekend’s game will be the first litmus test for the Anfield outfit this campaign.
Klopp’s side are yet to concede a goal this season but that record will be under serious threat, especially now that Chelsea have brought in Romelu Lukaku. Ideally, the Liverpool boss will be eyeing all three points but even a draw will not do too much harm for them going into the international break.
The German manager has a few absentees here and there but we don’t think that will cause too many problems in him selecting his best starting lineup on Saturday.
Liverpool’s team news vs Chelsea:
Kostas Tsimikas has started in fine form, so much so that he had forced Andy Robertson to remain on the bench last weekend against Burnley.
But this is Chelsea we are talking about and the force of players like Reece James and Havertz might be too much pressure for Tsimikas this weekend. And this is why we think the manager will not take any gambles and just bring Roberston back into the side.
Van Dijk and Joel Matip have been pairing up in central defence for the Reds and the same structure should be followed vs Chelsea as well. This means summer signing Ibrahima Konate will once again have to watch from the bench.
Thiago came off the bench in the Burnley game but since Fabinho is still a doubt for this weekend’s game, Klopp is likely to push Harvey Elliott to the bench and replace him with the Spaniard.
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Fabinho missed the previous game due to the demise of his father and remains to be seen if he will be back on Saturday or not.
If Fabinho is not available then Naby Keita will hold onto his place in the side along with Jordan Henderson.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is another player who missed the Burnley game due to the birth of his first child but he will be available for selection vs Chelsea.
Diogo Jota found the back of the net once again and his 7.7/10 performance last weekend should be enough to keep Roberto Firmino on the bench one more time.
The Liverpool boss has very few options in the attacking departments so Sadio Mane and Mo Salah are obvious starters.
