A trip to Anfield is always a big date on the calendar for Chelsea, but the stakes usually involve being somewhat further up the table. Liverpool are level on points with the Blues, 10 points behind a place in the top four with the Reds having a markedly better goal difference.
A win will take either side as high as seventh on Saturday afternoon, and Chelsea will be hoping to build some momentum following their victory over Crystal Palace. Jurgen Klopp's side, on the other hand, lost 3-0 to Brighton in their last Premier League clash.
Graham Potter will not have any players returning from injury to call upon, though Ruben Loftus-Cheek could have an enhanced role after making the bench against the Eagles. However, Mykhailo Mudryk could make his debut.
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Potter said in his press conference: “I would say no. Ruben [Loftus-Cheek] was on the bench in the last match – but only to be on the bench essentially. He is a lot closer now so can play some minutes. The boys are progressing well. Reece [James] has joined team training but won’t be involved at the weekend. Same for Ben Chilwell. Everybody else is pretty much where we were.”
Adam Newson
The big decision Graham Potter has to make is whether to throw Mykhailo Mudryk straight into his starting XI. It would be a risk, especially given the Ukrainian star hasn’t played since November. And it’s one I personally wouldn’t take.
For the first time in weeks, Chelsea head into the game off the back of a victory. The performance against Crystal Palace wasn’t perfect but there were reasons for encouragement and it’s for that reason I wouldn’t make big changes given neither Reece James or Ben Chilwell are available.
Kepa Arrizabalaga keeps his place in goal. The Spaniard has made a couple of high-profile errors but Edouard Mendy is not yet fit having undergone surgery on a fractured finger earlier this month.
Trevoh Chalobah was solid at right-back against Crystal Palace and deserves to keep his place. As do Thiago Silva and Benoit Badiashile in the centre of the defence. Anfield would be a big test for Lewis Hall at left-back, but the 18-year-old wasn’t overawed by outings at the Etihad.
Conor Gallagher was impressive last weekend so should keep his place. There is a temptation to bring Mateo Kovacic back into the side but he has largely struggled for form following the World Cup. For that reason, I’d continue with Jorginho and Mason Mount.
Hakim Ziyech is the obvious choice to start on the right and Kai Havertz got on the scoresheet last week, even though his overall performance wasn’t exceptional. With injuries in the forward line, it will be tempting to throw in Mudryk, but I’d use him off the bench as a game-changer and give Carney Chukwuemeka another chance.
Adam’s XI: Kepa; Chalobah, Silva, Badiashile, Hall; Jorginho, Gallagher, Mount; Ziyech, Havertz, Chukwuemeka
Scott Trotter
After earning a win, it will be tempting for Graham Potter to keep his team selection fairly consistent. That begins with Kepa Arrizabalaga in goal and Thiago Silva, as ever, leading Chelsea's backline.
The debut of Benoit Badiashile probably showed enough for him to have displaced Kalidou Koulibaly for the time being, while Trevoh Chalobah's stint on the right of defence may seem him keep Cesar Azpilicueta of the team for the moment. Lewis Hall has already been trusted against the league's best, so there is no reason he should not start after Potter acknowledged Marc Cucurella's recent struggles.
The midfield battle will be key at Anfield, with both teams having struggled in the area over the course of the season. A more rigid central three could help the Blues earn control. Conor Gallagher deserves a place in the side and could prove a disruptor while Mateo Kovacic and Jorginho keep things ticking.
That could see Carney Chukwuemeka drop to the bench as Kai Havertz leads the line once again. Hakim Ziyech has shown enough creativity in recent weeks to earn a place, leaving a post on the left to decide. If Mykhailo Mudryk had played more recently than December, he would almost seem certain to start after the immediate impact of Joao Felix, but the new signing could instead be used to challenge Trent Alexander-Arnold later in the game. Mason Mount has struggled for form in recent weeks but could be the figure to fulfil the role.
Scott's XI: Kepa; Chalobah, Silva, Badiashile, Hall; Gallagher, Jorginho, Kovacic; Ziyech, Havertz, Mount.
Bobby Vincent
Kepa obviously retains his place in goal with Edouard Mendy still out. Trevoh Chalobah could stay at right-back. He has a bit more speed than Cesar Azpilicueta and that could be important against Liverpool’s pace in attack.
Benoit Badiashile impressed against Palace so he could keep his place ahead of Kalidou Koulibaly. Lewis Hall should start at left-back yet again.
I think Graham Potter will go with a midfield three, but one that is perhaps more defensive. Against Crystal Palace, Carney Chukwuemeka was almost playing as a No.10 but I expect the teenager to drop to the bench and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who is returning from injury, to come into the side alongside the experienced heads of Mateo Kovacic and Jorginho.
I don’t think Mykhailo Mudryk will start just because of the lack of football he has played since November. He could be a deadly weapon to use off the bench, however. I think the front three will be Hakim Ziyech, Mason Mount and Kai Havertz. (edited)
Bobby's XI: Kepa; Chalobah, Silva, Badiashile, Hall; Kovacic, Jorginho, Loftus-Cheek; Ziyech, Mount, Havertz
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