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Chelsea, Liverpool Combined XI: 4-2-4 only has three Liverpool players

By ROSHAAN KAPOOR

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MARCH 04: Ben Chilwell of Chelsea beats Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield on March 04, 2021 in Liverpool, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Alex Livesey - Danehouse/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MARCH 04: Ben Chilwell of Chelsea beats Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield on March 04, 2021 in Liverpool, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Alex Livesey - Danehouse/Getty Images) /
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Chelsea’s German head coach Thomas Tuchel (L) reacts with Chelsea’s Brazilian defender Thiago Silva at the final whistle during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Stamford Bridge in London on January 27, 2021. (Photo by Richard Heathcote / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by RICHARD HEATHCOTE/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Chelsea’s German head coach Thomas Tuchel (L) reacts with Chelsea’s Brazilian defender Thiago Silva at the final whistle during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Stamford Bridge in London on January 27, 2021. (Photo by Richard Heathcote / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by RICHARD HEATHCOTE/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

The 2021-22 Premier League season has started in the best possible way for both Chelsea and Liverpool. Chelsea has played their two London rivals clubs in Crystal Palace and Arsenal. The West London side came on top in both these games and was the dominant team by winning 3-0 against Crystal Palace and 2-0 against Arsenal. Liverpool has also started perfectly just like Chelsea by winning both their games against Norwich City and Burnley, 3-0 and 2-0 respectively. The majority of the football fans rightly expect both Chelsea and Liverpool to be the closest competition to Manchester City’s Premier League title.

One thing to keep in mind is that despite this combined XI being dominated by Chelsea players, this game against Liverpool will not be an easy game for Chelsea. History has proved that Liverpool has had the upper hand in this fixture. In the previous five meetings, Chelsea has lost all but one meeting against Liverpool. And that one meeting was Thomas Tuchel’s first match against Liverpool last season which ended in a 1-0 win at Anfield. Winning this game would mean a lot for both of these clubs. This would help the team assert their foot at the Premier League summit to send out the message that they mean business.

Here’s the combined XI for Liverpool vs Chelsea:

Edouard Mendy, Goalkeeper, Chelsea

The signing of Edouard Mendy went under the radar during the 2020-21 Summer Transfer Window. The Senegalese goalkeeper bought from the French side Rennes for £21.6 million has been more than a success for Chelsea since his debut last season. Just after one season, Edouard Mendy has become a UEFA Champions League and UEFA Super Cup winner. After personally being recommended by Chelsea’s legend and Technical Advisor Petr Cech, the Senegalese shot-stopper was brought in and his stats prove that he has been one of the best if not the best goalkeeper since his arrival to Stamford Bridge.

Since joining Chelsea, Edouard Mendy has played 47 times for the club and has kept an astonishing 27 clean sheets. The Senegalese goalkeeper has saved 76% of the shots he has faced in that time. Being compared to Liverpool’s Alisson, Edouard Mendy is miles ahead when it comes to goals conceded and the number of clean sheets which justifies my decision of keeping Edouard Mendy ahead of Alisson.

Reece James, Right Back, Chelsea

Many people will not agree with this choice of Reece James being picked over Trent Alexandre-Arnold. But last season has proved the point that Reece James is a better defender than Trent Alexandre-Arnold. Trent Alexandre Arnold’s inconsistent performances for Liverpool last season were the biggest indicator of this point. Early in last season, Reece James also had the question mark over his head whether the Chelsea full-back is a good defender or not? But the England international proved that point by putting in impressive performances against Manchester City in the Champions League final.

After all of that, Reece James’s inclusion in the England squad for the Euros was the point that I believe was the final nail in the coffin for this discussion. Trent Alexandre Arnold is also a good player, but the Liverpool full-back has to improve a lot more when it comes to the defending part of the game.

Thiago Silva, Centerback, Chelsea

Having bought in during the 2020-21 Summer Transfer Window to sure up the Chelsea defense, Thiago Silva has been instrumental to a young, raw and talented side like Chelsea. The Brazilian defender has been playing at the top level for almost two decades now and is regarded as one of the best center backs of all time for all the right reasons. The decision to bring in Thiago Silva has greatly benefitted the Chelsea squad members, especially the young players who now look up to one of the greatest players. Playing alongside Thiago Silva, players like Kurt Zouma, Antonio Rudiger, and Andreas Christensen have greatly benefitted. We can see that through the performances of all the defenders last season in both club and international football.

While choosing which central defender to pick, Thiago Silva was the first name that popped up, irrespective of his age. Thiago Silva might lack the pace that is very much needed in the Premier League but the amount of experience this player brings in is so influential that it can certainly help any team in challenging for the top honors.

Virgil Van Dijk, Centerback, Liverpool

Regarded as one of the best center backs playing currently, it would have been unfair not to pick Virgil Van Dijk. It was a very difficult decision to pick the Dutch defender over the likes of Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen, and Cesar Azpilicueta but there are some aspects of Virgil van Dijk’s game that makes him stand out. Even though Virgil Van Dijk was injured for the whole of last season and despite Chelsea winning major accolades, Virgil Van Dijk is more of a complete and modern defender than the likes of Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen, and Cesar Azpilicueta.

When fully fit, the Dutch defender can stop any player at the top of their game. Virgil Van Dijk possesses all the traits a modern defender should have. Amazing recovery pace, Great passing range, and perfectly build physique for the Premier League. If Liverpool goes on to win this game, then expect Virgil Van Dijk to have an amazing and flawless game.

Ben Chilwell, Left Back, Chelsea

This decision to choose Ben Chilwell over the likes of Andrew Robertson, Marcos Alonso, and Konstantino Tsimikas was difficult but I choose the English international because of his performances last season coupled with this formation. Ben Chilwell feels like a complete defender who can attack as well as defend and play with both his feet. Andrew Robertson as a player has been very successful under the stewardship of Jurgen Klopp and has won almost every trophy there is to be won in club competitions. But his impressive attacking ability and work rate overshadows his lack of defensive ability and awareness.

The same goes for Marcos Alonso. The Spanish defender is more of a wing-back rather than a full-back. When playing in a back four, his lack of pace has always been his downfall. How much better he is at the wing-back position has been evident throughout Marcos Alonso’s Chelsea career. And finally coming on to the man in form Konstantino Tsimikas, the Greece international is still to fully prove himself and will most probably be dropped for the Chelsea game this weekend with Andrew Robertson now being fully fit again.

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