Chelsea have picked up this season where they left off last.
The Blues finished their 2020/21 campaign in fairytale fashion, securing a top-four Premier League finish before overcoming the odds to conquer Manchester City 1-0 in the UEFA Champions League final thanks to a first-half striker from German starlet Kai Havertz.
Thomas Tuchel's side continued their European dominance by overcoming Unai Emery's Villarreal on penalties in the Super Cup earlier this month.
They followed this with two convincing victories in the Premier League against fellow London opposition, defeating Crystal Palace 3-0 before inflicting a 2-0 defeat against Mikel Arteta's Arsenal last Sunday.
Club-record signing Romelu Lukaku, who joined for £97.5million from Inter Milan earlier this month, netted on his second debut for the club after bullying Gunners' defender Pablo Mari for the majority of the contest.
Now, Tuchel's men travel to Anfield to face Liverpool on Saturday afternoon, hoping to emulate their performance away to the Reds last term which saw them take home all three points thanks to a goal from English star Mason Mount.
The former Paris Saint-Germain boss named his starting XI to play Jurgen Klopp's side, with pacey frontman Timo Werner missing out, a decision that frustrated a large section of the Blues' faithful, who argued that his direct style would have been a useful asset on the break.
Confirmed Chelsea side: Mendy; Azpilicueta, Christensen, Rudiger; James, Kante, Jorginho, Alonso; Mount; Havertz, Lukaku. Subs: Kepa, Chilwell, Chalobah, Silva, Kovacic, Loftus-Cheek, Hudson-Odoi, Ziyech, Werner
Here is how a select few reacted to the news on Twitter.
@MaccaSport : "Great team. Timo, Kova & Ziyech off the bench."
@CFCLefty : "I wanted werner and Lukaku upfront."
@CFC_JohnSmith : "Justice for Timo."
@saltalevrai : "Win please."
@TOSOTC_CFC : "Unchanged team. Players starting based on merit. Backing Tuchel all the way. I have great hope for 3 points here!! Let's goooooo!!"
@mr_reniks : "Where is Timo Werner?"
