Chelsea vs. Liverpool predicted lineup: Will David Luiz return to starting XI?
David Luiz will likely make his return to Chelsea’s starting XI on Friday when Liverpool comes to Stamford Bridge. Who will Antonio Conte send out along with him?
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 15: General view of the stadium interior prior to the Premier League match between Chelsea and West Ham United at Stamford Bridge on August 15, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Arfa Griffiths/West Ham United via Getty Images)
Chelsea’s toughest challenge yet comes immediately after their first dropped points of the season. A quick resurgence is necessary to take the club through a difficult run of games. First up is Jurgen Klopp’s “Jekyll and Hyde” Liverpool. Liverpool may be up to task or they may energetically flop, but Antonio Conte has to set up Chelsea for the former.
John Terry’s injury ensures that Chelsea will field a different XI than they did against Swansea City. Conte needs to restore Chelsea’s confidence and stability, so he is unlikely to make any further changes.
Thibaut Courtois
13, Belgium
Thibaut Courtois has a real problem with fouling players in his box. Instead of being brave and going in with his arms to collect the ball, he tackles with his feet. This strips him of the protection officials grant goalkeepers and exposes Chelsea to avoidable penalty kicks. Courtois will get the nod against Liverpool, but if he loses his head this may be his last start.
Defence
RB
Branislav Ivanovic
2, Serbia
Of the two fullbacks, Ivanovic looks the most droppable. Regardless, the defensive line is not something that should be radically changed game to game. With John Terry hurt, the one change will be at center back. Ivanovic has not done anything to lose his starting spot. He will likely be rested in the upcoming match against Leicester City, so he’ll get the right flank against Liverpool.
David Luiz
30, Brazil
David Luiz might not be ready, but Antonio Conte has no other option with Terry not expected back from his ankle injury for at least the next two fixtures. Luiz doesn’t have the tactical intelligence that Terry has, but a game which will feature two high pressure clubs will be right up his alley. If he can remain aware of his surroundings and not go on a walk up field, he’ll find himself in the starting XI again and again.
Gary Cahill
24, England
John Terry’s injury is the only thing keeping Gary Cahill in the XI. No, the goal was not technically his fault because of the foul that was not called. But Chelsea can not afford a center-back who gets himself into a one-on-one that he cannot win. He’ll be in center back instead of Ivanovic because he has at least partnered with David Luiz in the past, and Antonio Conte won’t want to completely revolutionize the backline…yet.
Cesar Azpilicueta
28, Spain
Cesar Azpilicueta is the only guarantee when it comes to selecting the best defense. Whether his future is on the left or the right, Azpilicueta is one of the few guaranteed names on the team sheet. His new found offensive runs are lovely to watch, but Azpilicueta will have to remain aware of Liverpool’s best player this season, Sadio Mane.
Midfield
DM
N’Golo Kante
7, France
N’Golo Kante looked human for the first time in a Chelsea shirt towards the end of the Swansea game. With Chelsea so reliant on Kante to shield the defense and start the attack, a good performance is absolutely vital from the Frenchman. Liverpool will pressure Chelsea all match, and Kante will have to lessen the burden as much as possible.
Nemanja Matic
21, Serbia
Nemanja Matic has not been as good as he was when he first returned to Chelsea. He also has not been as bad as he was last season. This has primarily been down to Conte putting defensive duties on Kante and preferring Matic to be more of a box-to-box midfielder. That being said, if any player is expendable in the midfield, it is Matic. It’s time for Matic to start looking over his shoulder, so a good showing is vital for him here.
Oscar
8, Brazil
Whisper it quietly, but Oscar looks like a new player under Conte. He is doing his job in midfield diligently and with little fanfare. Cesc Fabregas’ time on the bench grabs more attention than the man who is keeping him there. Hopefully Conte has found the secret to keeping Oscar from fading out every few games, because the Liverpool fixture will be won or lost in the midfield
Willian
22, Brazil
Willian faded during the Swansea match, and was replaced by Victor Moses who has been lively off the bench all season. Before that, Willian was arguably Chelsea’s most creative player. He has not done enough to be dropped, and his tracking back will be vital when Liverpool press. If he can stay in front of Ivanovic and push down the wing, Willian will continue to flourish.
Eden Hazard
10, Belgium
Conte’s teams traditionally center on the group performance, not on individual brilliance. Hazard is used to being the reason the club plays well. When Swansea increased the pressure on Chelsea, the Blues looked to Hazard to create magic. He did not. He suddenly seemed afraid to take the shots that he had finally added to his skillset this season. Hazard will start because he is Hazard, but he will need to step up and perform when the club has to lean on him.
Attack
ST
Diego Costa
19, Spain
Diego Costa is one of the league’s joint highest goal scorers right now. He is also one of the joint leaders of yellow cards. Thus is the enigma that is Diego Costa. He will score, but at what cost? Both Chelsea and Liverpool are aggressive and pressure the opponent, which will only lead to fouls and yellow cards for both teams. And where there are fouls and yellow cards, Diego Costa will be nearby. He is attracted to it like a shark to blood in the water. Hopefully Costa can score before things get too heated, as the club will need him to press Liverpool back.
Should Antonio Conte make more changes to the side that escaped with a draw against Swansea City, or should he only replace the injured John Terry? Sound off below!
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