Mudryk And Kovacic To Start, Mount On The Bench: Chelsea’s Predicted XI To Face Liverpool

After a morale-boosting win against Crystal Palace last weekend, the pressure on Chelsea manager Graham Potter has eased slightly.

The Blues now face a difficult trip to Anfield, but they will be going up against a Liverpool team who are not exactly full of confidence either.

After being humbled by Brighton last time out in the league, the Reds are vulnerable and Potter’s men do have a chance of getting a result if they play well.

Press the next page as we predict Chelsea’s starting lineup for the game this Saturday.

GK – Kepa Arrizabalaga

Luckily for the Spaniard, he had a very quiet afternoon against Palace last Sunday.

It was a blessing considering how poorly he has performed in recent games.

Kepa will be in goal for the Liverpool clash, though, with Edouard Mendy still not available after surgery on a fractured finger.

RB – Trevoh Chalobah

The 23-year-old was favoured ahead of club captain Cesar Azpilicueta at right-back for the win over the Eagles.

He didn’t really put a foot wrong defensively, although he does offer very little in terms of a threat on the overlap.

It will be interesting to see how Chalobah deals with Liverpool’s new signing Cody Gakpo, who is expected to line up on the left flank for the Reds.

CB – Thiago Silva

The Brazilian was as imperious as ever to help Chelsea keep a clean sheet against Palace.

Considering he had to marshal a defence with a new centre-back partner as well, is a testament to his ability and leadership skills.

Silva will need to use all of his experience in order to get the better of Darwin Nunez, who is a handful. The Uruguayan is expected to be fit after missing the Reds’ last two fixtures.

CB – Benoit Badiashile

The 21-year-old had a remarkably serene debut. He looked unflustered and composed throughout his first 90 minutes.

Having someone like Silva alongside you will, of course, only help and the pair look to have built an understanding quite quickly.

Playing at Anfield will be a very different test for Badiashile, though, who will have to be up for the physical battle this weekend.

LB – Lewis Hall

The teenager looks to have already supplanted £62m signing Marc Cucurella in the pecking order.

His natural tendency is to go forward, and he should probably have scored with the opportunity he was presented with against Palace.

However, Hall will be asked to defend a lot more versus Liverpool, as he will be going head to head with Mo Salah.

CM – Mateo Kovacic

The Croatian was deservedly benched by Potter for the win over the Eagles after his abysmal performance against Fulham.

However, his energy and ability to keep the ball will be vital in what will be an intense atmosphere at Anfield.

Kovacic has the ability to beat the press and, considering how poor Liverpool have been defensively, he could be able to expose the Reds at the back if they fail to close him down.

CM – Jorginho

The Italian somehow kept his place against Palace after the Fulham debacle but Potter ended up being proven correct with his selection.

Jorginho put in a much-improved performance last Sunday, making a number of tackles and dictating play from deep with his passes.

Of course, it will be slightly harder to do that against Liverpool, especially away from home, but his composure on the ball will be needed at Anfield.

CM – Conor Gallagher

Had a very bright start to the match versus the Eagles, and he used one of his key strengths, carrying the ball from deep and driving at the opposition defence.

His battling qualities will also be required if they are to get a result this weekend.

Gallagher is certainly in better form than Mason Mount at the moment so the 22-year-old may be given the nod by Potter to start ahead of his England international teammate.

RW – Hakim Ziyech

The injuries to other wingers have benefited the Moroccan who is finally getting a run of starts.

Ziyech looked threatening in possession last Sunday and he picked up his first assist of the season with his cross for Havertz’s winner.

The 29-year-old will likely be going up against Andy Robertson on Saturday, and he may have to do a job tracking back in the order to keep the Liverpool defender quiet.

ST – Kai Havertz

The German is a hard player to nail down. He can be anonymous for long spells before coming up with a moment of quality.

Havertz’s header was the difference versus Palace last weekend but he will need to be more consistent to retain his place as a starter.

The forward should get some joy against a Liverpool defence, though, which has been leaking goals left, right and centre since the World Cup.

LW – Mykhailo Mudryk

With Raheem Sterling and Christian Pulisic out injured, and Mount out of form, Potter may decide to throw in his new signing straight away.

There is understandably a lot of hype surrounding the Ukrainian international and everyone will be keen to find out what he can offer versus Liverpool

Mudryk should have the beating of Trent Alexander-Arnold, who isn’t known for his defensive qualities, so we shall see if he can have a debut to remember.