Liverpool finally got back to winning ways at the Bramall lane but have a tough test lined up next as they welcome Chelsea to Anfield. The Reds face the possibility of five straight home defeats for the first time in the club’s history. With just a single goal in their last four home league games, Liverpool have an uphill task of breaking down Chelsea’s solid defence who have conceded just twice in seven league matches under new manager Thomas Tuchel.
Chelsea sit just a point ahead of Liverpool which magnifies the importance of this game for both sides. Liverpool brushed the Blues aside in the reverse fixture but their drastic injury crisis at the backline combined with their recent form puts them at disadvantage going into this game. Fabinho is expected to return to the first-team picture and it will be interesting to see where Klopp uses the Brazilian.
Let us now take a look at how Jurgen Klopp might set his Liverpool team up for this must-win game in the Premier League.
THE 4-3-3
Jurgen Klopp is expected to stick to the 4-3-3 formation that has brought him a lot of success with high pressing and attacking football. Alisson may replace Adrian despite the Spaniard’s superb performance against the Blades on the weekend. Fabinho may slot in place of Nat Phillips to strengthen the diminished back four without their top three centre backs.
Thiago would be looking to replicate his performance from their last meeting at Stamford Bridge where he ran the show on his debut despite playing only the second half. Curtis Jones looks in good form and will be high on confidence with a goal in his last game. Liverpool fans are keenly waiting to see their favourite front three of Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane, and Mohamed Salah back to goalscoring form.
THE 4-2-3-1
The 4-2-3-1 is the only other system that Klopp has resorted to in this season, thus Xherdan Shaqiri might get a rare start in this system on the right side of the attack with Salah being moved up the field. Goals haven’t come easy for Roberto Firmino this season, but in this formation, he can showcase his intricate link-up play down the middle as a false nine. Sadio Mane scored twice in the reverse fixture although one of those came thanks to a howler from Kepa Arrizabalaga.
He has delivered in big games for Liverpool over the years and will surely look to create and score himself in this game. Alexander-Arnold and Robertson love to join the attack but will need to be quick in their recovery run to stop the pacey Pulisic and Werner. Gini Wijnaldum will be expected to provide defensive cover to support Thiago who has struggled in that aspect as a Red.
It was goals galore last season in this fixture which ended with Liverpool lifting the Premier League trophy for the first time in thirty years. But this time we should expect a cagey contest with both teams looking to get into the top four with a victory.
