Liverpool and Chelsea have got the new season off to a flying start with both title contenders recording two wins out of as many games to sit at the summit of the league standings.
What would make for a highly-anticipated fixture in Premier League football is when Jurgen Klopp’s Merseysiders play hosts to Chelsea this upcoming weekend at Anfield before club football takes a short break owing to the FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
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Klopp’s men are in line for their first major challenge of the 2021-22 campaign in a Chelsea outfit that has looked flawless to say the least coming into the new season on the back of their Champions League glory last time around.
The Blues look solid on all fronts, similar to their upcoming opponents in league action, but with the new boy Romelu Lukaku aiming to fire on all cylinders upon his return to the Chelsea colours, Liverpool will have a task on their hands to claim the win from the Anfield showdown.
Here are 5 things to look forward to in Saturday’s Liverpool v Chelsea clash in Premier League football –
1. The return of Andy Robertson to the Liverpool starting teamsheet
Robertson’s ankle injury in the dying stages of the pre-season camp for Liverpool had meant a major setback on the squad selection front for Jurgen Klopp heading into the opening day affair at Carrow Road.
A little extra midday motivation for you, courtesy of Kostas 😍
Determination level 💯 getting the reception it deserved 👏 pic.twitter.com/bnyUOy2Ysf
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 23, 2021
However, the performances put in by Robertson’s deputy in the left-back role Kostas Tsimikas has sure earned the Greek defender plenty of admirers in the Liverpool fanbase.
With Chelsea the next visitors to Anfield, Jurgen Klopp will be backed to drop the in-form Tsimikas and issue a recall to Robertson who featured on the bench in the latest outing against Burnley.
2. Diogo Jota hoping to make it three goals in three games
Jota has pipped Roberto Firmino to the starting role up top on the pitch and the former Wolves man has been a constant threat in front of the goal with two goals in the opening two games.
The Portuguese is expected to be handed another start come Saturday and the Liverpool supporters will be hoping that the high-flying Jota continues his brilliant streak of form against a formidable-looking Chelsea defence.
3. Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip on show against Chelsea’s new attacking recruit
Tasked with keeping the Chelsea returnee Romelu Lukaku at bay from finding the back of the net will be Liverpool’s centre-back pairing of Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip.
Both players have come back into the Liverpool XI after season-ending injury layoffs last time around and after having gotten the new season off to a great start, the Van Dijk-Matip duo will be facing a stern challenge in the form of Chelsea’s frontline which has the likes of Kai Havertz and Mason Mount besides Lukaku.
4. Much is expected of Trent Alexander-Arnold to be up to his best against Chelsea
The ever-present Liverpool full-back talent has been in top form and registered a superb assist for Liverpool’s second goal of the game against Burnley last weekend at Anfield.
Arnold has faced some problems while coming up against pacy wingers and facing him on Saturday is certain to be Kai Havertz who will be expected to put up a solid showing with the likes of Timo Werner and Christian Pulisic waiting in the wings to secure a regular role.
Klopp will be counting on his star defender to live up to the expectations ahead of the high-billed clash on Merseyside which could very well set the tone for the race to claim Premier League glory this season.
5. Another start on the cards for Naby Keita?
Keita’s regular berth on the starting teamsheet for Liverpool in the opening two games has surprised quite a few people with the Guinean midfield man unable to get a stretch of regular football under his belt since moving to Anfield three summers back.
Fabinho missed out on the last game following his father’s passing away and it remains unknown whether the Brazilian will be in the fray for the weekend showdown which could mean another outing for Keita who has impressed in his time on the pitch.
Jordan Henderson’s return to the XI amid his contract talks dragging on with the club does give a major boost to Liverpool’s midfield department but should Keita step up in his role in the centre of the park, Jurgen Klopp might not be dipping into the market anytime soon for Gini Wijnaldum’s replacement.
