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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Sean Bradbury & Joe Rimmer & Ian Doyle & Paul Gorst

Liverpool vs Chelsea lineups - Darwin Nunez starts as Stefan Bajcetic decision made

Paul Gorst - Welcome back, Darwin as Keita stays put

It'd be harsh to really take anyone out of the team that fought admirably to a battling 1-0 win against Wolves on Tuesday.

Jurgen Klopp made eight changes for that one and while some of his leading lights were left to stew on the mess their recent performances have contributed towards making, I'm still erring on the side of caution for the most part.

Thiago Alcantara was much improved against Wolves, so he starts in my midfield, as does Naby Keita, who is named for just his first Premier League start since May. If he wants to stay at Anfield beyond this season then now is the time to start showing that for the No.8.

The ball is whether or not to recall any seniors or keep Stefan Bajcetic and while I'd sorely love to reward the Spanish youth international, I'm not brave enough. Fabinho returns at his expense, just. Sorry, Stefan. Your time will come.

At the back, Joel Matip is recalled alongside Trent Alexander-Arnold and Any Robertson and the excellent Ibrahima Konate keeps his place.

Hopefully Darwin Nunez is passed fit to lead the line and Cody Gakpo can move to the left of the front three.

My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Konate, Robertson; Fabinho, Keita, Thiago; Salah, Nunez, Gakpo.

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Ian Doyle - Fabinho gets the nod alongside Keita and Thiago

Chelsea, Chelsea. And as always, a big game for Liverpool at Anfield.

But not many could have envisaged it would be ninth against 10th in the Premier League,

That, though, is the reality of the situation. And Jurgen Klopp should be making changes again - but while rewarding some of those that impressed at Wolves in the FA Cup in midweek.

In goal, Alisson Becker returns. And there are other players coming back in defence, with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson in the full-back positions. However, Joe Gomez has done enough to edge ahead of Joel Matip to keep partnering Ibrahima Konate at centre-back.

Fabinho returns to midfield in the defensive role - Stefan Bajcetic was cramping up in midweek before being replaced - but both Thiago Alcantara and Naby Keita deserve to stay in.

Up top, it's the same story for Harvey Elliott on the right flank. It means Mohamed Salah can go down the centre, and the fit-again Darwin Nunez on the left.

My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Konate, Robertson; Fabinho, Keita, Thiago; Elliott, Salah, Nunez.

Joe Rimmer - Change is maintained after positives in midfield

Wolves was certainly a step in the right direction.

But Liverpool still have plenty to do if they are to convince they have solved some of the problems that have plagued them this season.

But what we did learn from the Wolves game is that change is a positive for this side at the moment and Jurgen Klopp might have to take a few chances against Chelsea.

That starts with a midfield containing Stefan Bajcetic, Thiago and Naby Keita. Those three seemed to dovetail nicely together at Molineux and they certainly bring a freshness and energy that has been missing this season.

Up front, I'd have Darwin Nunez straight back in. Harvey Elliott deserves to keep his place just for the unpredictable nature of his goal alone, with Cody Gakpo dropping out of the firing line and onto the bench.

Joel Matip returns alongside Ibrahima Konate in defence and it's the usual suspects alongside them.

My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Konate, Robertson; Bajcetic, Keita, Thiago; Elliott, Salah, Nunez.

Sean Bradbury - Nunez changes role as Bajcetic keeps place

Darwin Nunez is back in contention which means he has to start. But I would mix up the forward line a little bit.

Mohamed Salah is handed a central role to try and stitch things together. Nunez is on the left, with Harvey Elliott rewarded for his Wolves screamer with a spot on the right.

In midfield - why change a winning combination? Jurgen Klopp hinted in his press conference on Friday that Stefan Bajcetic is in with a big shout. So the trio from the 1-0 win in the FA Cup go again.

At the back, those rested in midweek return with Ibrahima Konate keeping his place.

My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Konate, Robertson; Bajcetic, Keita, Thiago; Elliott, Salah, Nunez.

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