Chelsea vs Liverpool: Team news and predicted line-ups

LFC Globe
29th September 2018
Liverpool vs Man City

and should both return for Liverpool's visit of on Saturday.

The duo missed Liverpool's midweek meeting with the Blues due to illness and a knock respectively, however they have both recovered in time for the fixture.

, who also missed Wednesday's exit, remains a doubt having suffered a rib injury against last weekend.

"Trent trained yesterday completely normal. It was not a knock, Trent was a bit ill, but yesterday that looked pretty good,” Klopp told reporters on Friday.

“Virgil, we have to wait. He didn't train with the team so far but I can't say anything more about that. Gini trained as well, so all good.”

Wednesday's meeting with Maurizio Sarri's side saw the inclusion of Joel Matip and the returning at the heart of the Reds defence.

And Klopp lauded the options he has at his disposal, whilst acknowledging the Dutchman's absence has a big impact on his side.

“Virgil is a world-class player, there is no doubt about that, and if you miss a world-class player it is not cool,” Klopp added.

“But Dejan Lovren made his first appearance after I would say around 10 weeks [on Wednesday].

"Most of that time he was that injured that he couldn't even think about training because when you have something in that part of your body you cannot do fitness, nothing. And after that long period, he played an outstanding game.

Joel Matip

Image: Liverpool FC

"Joel Matip, two games in a row, played fantastic. Both full-backs [ and ] didn't play in the season so far, so we all get judged constantly but for the boys it's much more important what I think about their performance than what you think about their performance.

“I can imagine people say ‘thank God all the others come back', but these boys did a really good job.

"So, if Virgil is fit and can play then he will play, but if not then obviously we have options and that's really good. His [Van Dijk's] impact is always obvious, but we could play football before Virgil van Dijk and we can play without Virgil, thank God.

"But I prefer that he is fit and available and I can make decisions, if he needs a rest or not in one of the other games. For the last game he was not available but now we will see for tomorrow."

Meanwhile, and both returned to training this week, however the duo remain unavailable for selection.

Klopp is expected to ring the changes once again, having made eight alterations to his line-up midweek.

Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, and should return to the Liverpool defence, whilst and Gini Wijnaldum are expected alongside in midfield.

Liverpool FC

Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images

and should replace and in attack whilst should keep his place.

A host of other key men should also return, including Jorginho, N'Golo Kante and Olivier Giroud, but Antonio Rudiger, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Pedro are all major doubts for Maurizio Sarri's side.

Meanwhile, Sarri is also expected to bring in several key players to his Chelsea line-up, including Wednesday's match-winner Eden Hazard, who the Reds will need to stop.

Jorginho, N'Golo Kante and Olivier Giroud should also return from the off, however Antonio Rudiger, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Pedro are all doubts for the London side.

“Pedro yesterday had the last part of the training with the team, like Rudiger and Loftus-Cheek. So we need to see the last training [session] and then we will decide,” said the Chelsea manager.

“They are almost ready, so the situation is better than three or four days ago.”

Defender Andreas Christensen, who was substituted at in midweek due to illness, is expected to miss out but could be a late addition.

Predicted Line-Ups

Liverpool: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson, Wijnaldum, Henderson, Milner, Salah, Firmino, Mané.

Chelsea: Kepa, Azpilicueta, Cahill, Luiz, Alonso, Kante, Jorginho, Kovacic, Willian, Giroud, Hazard.

Share This Article
Live Liverpool FC News
cross linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram