Liverpool vs Chelsea predicted XI: Usual 3-4-2-1 to face Klopp’s 4-3-3

 

Chelsea faces Liverpool on Saturday in one of the Premier League’s best early season contests. The two sides enter the match with the same totals for games played, goals scored and same goals conceded—there is literally nothing to differentiate the two thus far. Thomas Tuchel knows that this is a different Liverpool side than the one his team faced at Anfield last season, so who does he give the nod to this time around?

Edouard Mendy (No. 16) Goalkeeper, Senegal

Fresh off winning the UEFA Champions League Goalkeeper of the Season award, Edouard Mendy squares off against Alisson, his opposite number, in an unofficial test of sorts. Mendy kept 16 clean sheets last season in the English top flight, only bettered by Manchester City’s Ederson. He averaged an 80 percent save rate across the Premier League and Champions League. Mendy is an excellent shotstopper and is undoubtedly Chelsea’s first choice keeper when fit.

Cezar Azpilicueta (No. 28) Right centerback, Spain

Cesar Azpilicueta was restored to the starting line-up in place of in-form Chelsea youngster, Trevoh Chalobah. Azpilicueta instantly showed why he was brought back in as soon as he was match fit. The Spaniard is still Chelsea’s best 1v1 defender and that’s clear when he plays. He was the outfielder that contributed to the most league clean sheets for the Blues last season (12). Azpilicueta’s leadership and presence, as well as the fluidity with which he plays the right centerback role for Chelsea, are why the skipper is Tuchel’s preferred choice in that spot.

Andreas Christensen (No. 4) Centerback, Denmark

Andreas Christensen seems to have replaced Thiago Silva in the starting XI, which is not that surprising considering the fact that Silva turns 37 in September. Christensen has more than deserved his place in the line-up, as well, sometimes sitting last season just because Silva was fit. He has another chance to show Tuchel that he’s right to drop Silva for him. Christensen played and helped keep a clean sheet against Liverpool under Tuchel the first go around, so hopefully he can do that again.

Antonio Rudiger (No.  2) Left centerback, Germany

Antonio Rudiger was the centerback who contributed to the most out-and-out clean sheets (in all competitions) amongst outfielders. He was key in keeping Chelsea’s clean sheet against Liverpool last season under Tuchel, though that Liverpool team had key players out. Eight months on and Rudiger is still yet to give Tuchel a reason to drop him. He rightly continues to start.

Reece James (No. 24) Right wingback, England

Reece James was Chelsea’s best player on the pitch against Arsenal, though the space he got could only have been given to him by an amateur defense. He still did an excellent job of exploiting an Arsenal defensive unit that was begging for just that. A goal and an assist for him on his first league start of the season cements his place against Liverpool. James’ strengths will be perfect for dealing with the threat of Andy Robertson, as well.

N’Golo Kante (No. 7) Central midfielder, France

N’Golo Kante likely starts to give the Blues a chance to win the ball back in midfield as Liverpool’s midfieders are skilled at keeping the ball. Kante was key against Liverpool the last time these two met, as well, providing a perfect long ball to assist Mason Mount’s goal. His defensive awareness and high energy will match anyone else’s on the pitch.