Naby Keita in for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain? Christian Pulisic to return? How Liverpool and Chelsea could

Naby Keita in for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain? Christian Pulisic to return? How Liverpool and Chelsea could
Football

Champions Liverpool face Chelsea in their final home match of the Premier League campaign on Wednesday evening.

Jurgen Klopp’s men have had a phenomenal title-winning season, losing just three matches and leading second-placed Man City by a staggering 15 points.

Klopp is hugely proud of Liverpool’s season – despite a dip in form in recent matches

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Klopp is hugely proud of Liverpool’s season – despite a dip in form in recent matches

Klopp and his Liverpool players will finally get to lift the Premier League trophy after the match, with Jordan Henderson poised to become the first Reds captain since Alan Hansen in 1990 to hoist a league trophy above his head.

However, they face a Chelsea side who will be full of confidence following their impressive 3-1 victory over Manchester United in the FA Cup semi-final at the weekend.

Frank Lampard’s men dominated the encounter and were deserving winners, but they know their focus must be on getting the three points at Anfield as they look to cement their place in the top four.

As it stands, the west London club sit one point ahead of Leicester and Manchester United in the standings, but they must overcome a Liverpool side who have not lost at Anfield in 58 outings.

So how could both sides line-up? talkSPORT.com has all the latest team news below…


Liverpool team news

Klopp named a very strong side against Arsenal and there is little reason to suggest he won’t do the same again.

Rare howlers from Virgil van Dijk and Alisson saw the Reds defeated at Arsenal last week and the pair will be itching to put things right.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain failed to make an impact could be replaced by Naby Keita, with captain Henderson sidelined with a knee injury.

Henderson is injured but will lift the trophy at Anfield after the Chelsea match

Henderson is injured but will lift the trophy at Anfield after the Chelsea match

Meanwhile, James Milner is also back in contention having carefully nursed his recovery from a hamstring injury – though a starting spot may come too soon for the Englishman.

Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah will also occupy their usual spots on the wing. The pair, who have 17 and 19 goals this term respectively, face a huge task to catch-up Jamie Vardy (23) in the hunt for the Golden Boot.

Roberto Firmino, meanwhile, has one last chance to score at Anfield in the 2019/20 season.

Have a look at our predicted Liverpool line-up below

Is this how Liverpool could line-up against Chelsea?

Is this how Liverpool could line-up against Chelsea?

Chelsea team news

Lampard has mainly used a 4-3-3 this season but he has sometimes opted for a 3-4-3, and that was the case in the victory on Sunday.

The Blues boss will likely stick to the same formation for the clash against Liverpool as he looks to nullify the threat of Mane and Salah.

Kepa Arrizabalaga could come back into the side after Willy Caballero was brought in for the FA Cup semi-final.

Speculation has been rife about the future of the Spaniard, with reports suggesting Chelsea are keen to replace him with Dean Henderson this summer.

Kepa may be recalled to Chelsea’s XI for the Liverpool clash

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Kepa may be recalled to Chelsea’s XI for the Liverpool clash

Kepa has conceded 42 goals in the Premier League this season – the most of any Blues keeper since Dmitri Kharine in 1993-94 (48).

Christian Pulisic, who has been on blistering form since the restart, could also come back into the XI.

The American has now had a full week of rest and is likely to replace Mason Mount, despite the England youngster getting on the scoresheet at the weekend.

Olivier Giroud is another one of Lampard’s men who has thrived since football’s resumption and he is widely expected to lead the line again after netting at Wembley on Sunday.

Lampard confirmed that N’Golo Kante will miss out again as he continues to struggle with a hamstring problem, while both Billy Gilmour and Marco van Ginkel are long-term absentees.

Have a look at our predicted line-up below…

Is this how Chelsea could line-up against Liverpool?

Build Line-Up

Is this how Chelsea could line-up against Liverpool?