Liverpool’s planned line-up against Chelsea

Liverpool are back in action in the Premier League on Thursday in a game with a lot on the line.

The English champions welcome the resurgence of Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea, which could have major implications on who finishes in the top four.

Thanks to a goalless draw with Manchester United, the gap between Liverpool and the Blues is just a lonely point.

A delayed victory by Anfield would see the Reds overtake Tuchel in the league standings, while completing an emphatic double over Chelsea for the second consecutive season.

An unthinkable fourth consecutive loss at home would undoubtedly be detrimental to Liverpool’s ambitions in the Champions League for next season.

How will Liverpool line up?

Hopefully Alisson Becker will return to the side in goal as Liverpool’s undisputed number one.

The Brazilian missed Sunday’s victory against Sheffield United as he continues to mourn the tragic death of his father, José.

The wingers will be Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold, with Liverpool’s first choice in that department without an immediate threat of debate.

The big question will be who does Jurgen Klopp match in central defense? He has Fabinho back at his disposal, after all, with the Brazilian back in training on Saturday.

Klopp paired Nat Phillips and Ozan Kabak together against Sheffield United, but may opt for the experienced Fabinho against Chelsea in form.

Naby Keita is another Liverpool player who also hopes to start at some point. The Guinean talisman came off the bench at Bramall Lane and will expect a more prominent role on Thursday.

After all, the 26-year-old scored an impressive goal in this very match last season, during a passionate 5-3 win for Liverpool in July.

We predict Keita will enter and complete a seasoned triumvirate in midfield alongside Thiago Alcantara and Gini Wijnaldum.

The top three, as always, will remain as they have in recent months, although Diogo Jota represents an exciting option to use from the bench.

In: Fabinho, Keita.

Out of: Phillips, Jones.

Josh is a sportswriter from the South who has previously reported on the Reds both at home and off the press box. His idol is Joel Matip, while Madrid 19 to this day remains a blur for him.