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Football London
Football London
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Oliver Harbord & Alan Smith

Pulisic returns and tactical switch - The Chelsea team Frank Lampard should pick vs Liverpool

Chelsea take on Liverpool tomorrow night with the tantalising knowledge that victory will secure a Champions League place.

The Blues were excellent in the 3-1 FA Cup semi-final win over Manchester United on Sunday, and will be hoping to take that form into the Anfield contest.

Frank Lampard made a tactical switch for the game at Wembley, going to three at the back.

But will he stick with that or should he go for the four in defence for the big game?

Football.london’s writers have their say on the team which Lampard should pick.

Frank Lampard focused on Chelsea's 'number one goal' of a Champions League place

Oliver Harbord – Chelsea correspondent

The Blues were excellent against United with three at the back, but the fact that Christian Pulisic should be fit means the formation might have to revert back.

That would meant that Mason Mount would drop back into midfield, with Jorginho keeping his spot as N’Golo Kante is still injured.

At the back, you would have to stick with Kurt Zouma and Antonio Rudiger, as the pair have looked solid together as a duo.

The pace of Reece James could well be used in the full-back role as well, to try to counter the attacking prowess of Liverpool’s front three.

Harbord’s team: Kepa; James, Zouma, Rudiger, Azpilicueta; Kovacic, Jorginho, Mount; Willian, Giroud, Pulisic.

Alan Smith – Senior writer

Ordinarily Sunday's performance would mean Lampard makes few changes but freshness is also key and after such an exhausting job at Wembley, the XI is unlikely to be the exact same.

If Christian Pulisic is fit expect him to return out wide, with Mason Mount then dropping into midfield.

Jorginho should also continue as N'Golo Kante remains hamstrung, while Mateo Kovacic may be hard to drop following his performance in the FA Cup semi-final win.

The other big question is whether Lampard sticks with a back three or reverts to four. If the latter, expect Marcos Alonso to drop out and Cesar Azpilicueta to move across to the left with the other three remaining in place.

Kepa will almost certainly return between the posts, although Willy Caballero did well at the weekend.

Smith’s team: Kepa; James, Rudiger, Zouma, Azpilicueta; Jorginho; Kovacic, Mount; Willian, Giroud, Pulisic.

Have your say on the team you would like to see from Frank Lampard with the widget above.

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