Goalkeeper
Simon Mignolet
Mignolet will carry on in goal for this game as Karius had just returned from a injury and this game has come too soon for Karius. Mignolet hasn’t made a direct error yet this season so should remain in goal for this goal, but Karius should eventually displace Mignolet the German will start in Tuesday’s game against Derby.
Defence
Nathaniel Clyne
This is a no brainer as we have no other senior right backs at the club and Clyne is one of our most consistent players and offers us such a big outlet on that right hand side, seems to have a good understanding with new signing Sadio Mane as well.
Joel Matip
Matip has started the last three Liverpool games in a row and has been cool and composed in every game, set pieces will be huge in this game with Chelsea as they have such a big side so we will need Matip for his aerial prowess, which he has showed already. He sets up attacks well and can play out of the attack well but if we are to win this game Matip must have a good game.
Dejan Lovren
Lovren received a nasty looking eye injury last week in training and had to sit out the game with the champions. Klopp has confirmed that Lovren has recovered and the swelling has gone down so I expect him to come in for Lucas.
James Milner
Many fans had their doubts with Milner playing left back but he is adapting to the role quite well really, he has had good games against Spurs and Leicester where he had got a goal and a assist from these two fixtures. Milner will have to be solid defensively this game as he is going against the workaholic Willian.
Midfield
Georgina Wjinaldum
Wjinaldum has been adapting quite well to this position and his role in this Liverpool side, with two assists this season already. He has played with such energy and has won the ball back extremely well and he is showing signs he can add to Liverpool’s attack as well. Had his best game in a red shirt against Leicester at the weekend so I expect him to start, despite Can returning to training and isn’t ready to start a game just yet.
Jordan Henderson
The Liverpool skipper is starting to adapt to this new defensive role that Klopp has put him in, he has had two impressive performances in this role recently and his energy, pressing and passing from deep has been crucial to how we are currently playing. Henderson will need support defensively in this game though as he is still not a natural defensive midfielder and he is not naturally someone who will continually win the ball back.
Adam Lallana
Lallana is the player in the midfield that it didn’t even cross my mind to drop him, his two goals and one assist mean he is adding that end product that fans wanted to see for a number of years and his linkup play and his energy have been a crucial part to how we have played as well as how he has adapted to his new more deeper role playing in centre midfield instead of one of the attacking positions.
Attack
Phillipe Coutinho
Coutinho didn’t start the game with Leicester as he wasn’t fully ready due to his Brazil commitments but he will be chomping at the bit in a fixture where he scored twice last season. The Brazilian will start on the left as he usually does and he will cutting inside constantly.
Roberto Firmino
I expect Firmino to go up top for this game, despite Sturridge being impressive in the game last weekend. Firmino notched two goals last week on the wing but he will be essential to drag their defenders out of position leaving more space for the midfield runners and attackers. David Luiz is a touch tight defender and he likes playing against a striker and nicking the ball ahead of them, Firmino will be key to exposing this weakness in Chelsea’s defence.
Sadio Mane
Mane has recently picked up our player of the month for August and he will look to continue his impressive form, hopefully adding more to his goal tally or assist tally. Mane is a player who has walked into this side and given us a different edge, he will need to help out Clyne defensively as Hazard will be playing on that right hand side of midfield.
Would you make any changes to this team?
LFC News 