'Naby Keita keeps his place but Robertson has to return'
Paul Gorst: This is an early tester for both Liverpool and Chelsea’s Premier League title aspirations.
A full strength Reds went to Stamford Bridge even earlier in the season last term and were comfortably the superior side against the Londoners.
This one might be a bit closer though.
The big battle, of course, is Romelu Lukaku against Virgil van Dijk, but it will be interesting to see how Chelsea’s left side cope with the raiding threat of Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
READ MORE: Liverpool vs Chelsea live team news, score updates and analysis
In midfield, Fabinho has to return alongside Jordan Henderson and Naby Keita, who keeps his place after an excellent start to the season.
As ably as Kostas Tsimikas has deputised for Andy Robertson during his absence, the Scot has to return.
And while he’s in-form in front of goal right now, I’m leaving out Diogo Jota for Roberto Firmino.
Liverpool: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Henderson, Keita; Salah, Firmino, Mane.
'Diogo Jota dropped for Roberto Firmino'
Ian Doyle: The best team in Europe is in town this evening.
And they're playing Chelsea.
But before the lolsworths start a-jabberin', let's have a look at who Jurgen Klopp could select for Liverpool for the visit of Thomas Tuchel's transfer troopers. Or something like that.
Kostas Tsimikas has proven himself ready for the Reds but Andy Robertson can return at left-back, with the remainder of the defence staying the same.
In midfield, Jordan Henderson is in while Fabinho will come back in the defensive role.
Which leaves four into one. Thiago Alcantara isn't quite match sharp, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is still rediscovering the role and Harvey Elliott has plenty of time to shine in such fixtures in the future.
Naby Keita, then, it is, retaining his place in the engine room.
As for the attack, Diogo Jota has opened the scoring in both games this season but I'd bench him in place of Roberto Firmino, who can annoy Jorginho, who somehow appears to now be regarded by many as the best player in the world when he isn't even the best midfielder in Chelsea's squad.
Nowt stranger than folk.
My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Henderson, Keita; Salah, Firmino, Mane.
'Thiago will be needed against Chelsea'
Theo Squires: If Liverpool are to stand a chance of winning the Premier League this season, they need to come out on top of the top four ‘mini-league’ and Saturday’s clash with European champions Chelsea presents them with an early opportunity to send out a big statement.
The Reds know how much confidence winning the Champions League can give a side, so why not start as many of Jurgen Klopp’s own European champions as possible?
It’s incredibly harsh to Kostas Tsimikas after his great start to the season but the Greek drops out for the returning Andy Robertson, though it is a case of it ain’t broke, don’t fit it at centre-back as I’m going for the back five that started Liverpool’s Champions League final win over Spurs two years ago.
Two changes in midfield as Fabinho returns at number six with captain Jordan Henderson pushing further forward, with Thiago Alcantara getting the nod over Naby Keita. Up against the likes of Jorginho, the Reds need his ball retention abilities and it’s a trio that again have all started and won European Cup finals.
Up front is arguably the toughest decision to make with Diogo Jota a man in form, but with Roberto Firmino looking just as slick in reserve so far this season too.
I’m going to go for the Brazilian’s all-round game to trouble the Chelsea backline and reunite the tried and trusted front three, as opposed to the Portuguse’s goal hunger, though he could still make a big impact from the bench.
My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho, Thiago; Salah, Firmino, Mane.
