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

By Olaoluwa Nwobodo

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MARCH 04: Mason Mount of Chelsea celebrates with teammate Reece James after scoring his team's first goal 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 Phil Noble - Pool/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MARCH 04: Mason Mount of Chelsea celebrates with teammate Reece James after scoring his team's first goal 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 Phil Noble - Pool/Getty Images) /
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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – MARCH 04: Sadio Mane of Liverpool is challenged by Antonio Ruediger of Chelsea 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 Phil Noble – Pool/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – MARCH 04: Sadio Mane of Liverpool is challenged by Antonio Ruediger of Chelsea 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 Phil Noble – Pool/Getty Images) /

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.

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