Chelsea bring the muscle to the 3-5-2: Cahill, Giroud in the starting XI

Olivier Giroud and Eden Hazard will lead Chelsea’s attack against Liverpool, while the indestructible Gary Cahill once again takes centre station in the defence.

Remember when Andreas Christensen used to be a thing? Good times. The ever-resilient, never-fully-droppable, yeah-he’s-going-to-Russia Gary Cahill will be at the heart of Chelsea’s defence to stop Liverpool’s score-at-will front line. Antonio Conte’s starting XI looks ready to sit tight and defend and – if the opportunity presents itself – lump a ball to Olivier Giroud up front in the hopes of stealing a goal.

Alvaro Morata is not even on the bench for the Blues. Conte did not mention anything about an injury on Friday, indicating an injury during Saturday’s training or this morning. Conte has no history of nor tactical reason to choose a striker-less bench. Willian and Pedro are the offensive substitutes. This gives Conte the option for a 3-4-3 or – as he did against Southampton – a 4-2-3-1.

Giroud and Hazard may once again cut frustrated figures in this line-up. Chelsea’s fans will likely share in that emotion. Alvaro Morata would at least have given the Blues a chance to press and counter as a unit. Giroud simply does not have the pace to do so. Without a striker or another winger in support, Hazard will also be limited in counter-attacking options. The best hope is for Giroud to hold up the ball long enough to bring Victor Moses into support for Hazard.

Liverpool looks set for a 3-4-3. This will give perpetual liability Dejan Lovren some more protection if Chelsea can press the ball into the final third. The three-man back-line will also free up the increasingly skillful teenager, Trent Alexander-Arnold. Like any player his age, he still makes youthful errors. If Chelsea can target him they may be able to provoke a mistake, and then hope they can capitalize on it. Then again, they may also be in for a rude awakening about just how valuable and professional a 19-year old can be in the first-team.

The two formations will make an awkward matchup for the Blues. Jurgen Klopp deviated from his usual 4-3-3, and in the 3-4-3 he will be able to pin back Chelsea’s wing-backs. AS Roma moved the ball easily and with some effect up the flank against Liverpool earlier in the week. Chelsea will not have that channel.

Next: Predictions vs. Liverpool: Can the Blues take advantage of the Spursiness?

Aside from Chelsea’s wingers and wing-backs, Ross Barkley is on the bench yet again. If the Blues are running away with a famous win, perhaps the ultimate cap to the afternoon will be a run-out for the barely-seen Englishman.