Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri is set to recall Eden Hazard, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ruben Loftus-Cheek for the away game against Liverpool.
Chelsea will travel north to Anfield this weekend, as they gear up to take on leaders Liverpool in matchweek 34 of the 2018-19 Premier League on Sunday.
Having made a plethora of changes to the team for his side’s midweek encounter against Slavia Praha, manager Maurizio Sarri is expected to recall his regulars for the crunch tie this weekend.
Kepa Arrizabalaga is a certain starter under the woodwork for Chelsea, but there will be alterations in the backline that will shield the Spaniard. Cesar Azpilicueta though, is expected to keep his spot in the side at right-back, while Antonio Rudiger will also continue to start as one of the two central defenders.
David Luiz did not feature in the Europa League encounter and should return to the lineup against Liverpool, with Andreas Christensen set to make way. Left-back Emerson Palmieri was another absentee against Slavia Praha, but could be back for the Liverpool game, replacing Marcos Alonso who scored the only goal in the midweek fixture.
Jorginho has been an ever-present in the middle of the park for Chelsea this season and that is unlikely to change when the Blues travel to Anfield. However, the other two midfield slots should see changes, with workhorse N’Golo Kante set to return to the team after being benched for the midweek clash. He will replace Ross Barkley who failed to make an impression on Thursday night.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek has been in splendid form of late, scoring one goal and assisting two more in his last two Premier League appearances. He should start against Liverpool on Sunday, with Mateo Kovacic dropping out of the team.
Eden Hazard got some minutes from the bench against Slavia Praha, but should be reinstated to the starting XI, on the left side of Chelsea’s attacking trident. The Belgian has scored twice in two games against Liverpool this season and will be aiming to add to his tally on Sunday.
Callum Hudson-Odoi was completely omitted from the squad in the midweek, but Sarri hinted that the teenage sensation could feature against Liverpool. Speaking in his press conference after the Slavia Praha match, the Italian said, “In my opinion he needed to rest. In this match he was out. Of course he is in my mind for the next match, but I have to see the last two training sessions.”
Hudson-Odoi should take up the right flank for Chelsea against Liverpool. Gonzalo Higuain and Olivier Giroud will battle for the lone striker’s spot in the Blues’ lineup. While Sarri has preferred the Argentine in the Premier League, given his recent misfiring form, the manager might decide to stick with Giroud on Sunday.
