Date: 19th October 2024 at 11:06am
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Premier League leaders Liverpool welcome Chelsea to Anfield on Sunday for their biggest test of the league campaign so far. 

The Reds have enjoyed an impressive start under Arne Slot, winning six of their seven matches, but the Blues arrive on Merseyside in good form and could provide a stern test for Liverpool.

Here, we predict the XI that Slot could select for the game.

Goalkeeper

Brazilian Alisson remains sidelined after being injured against Crystal Palace prior to the international break, and Irishman Caoimhin Kelleher is therefore in line to start against the Blues. The 25-year-old has never been able to establish himself as first choice ‘keeper at Anfield, but he has always impressed when deputising for Alisson.

Defenders

England international Trent Alexander-Arnold is one of a trio of high profile Liverpool players in the final year of their contracts, but the defender is likely to start at right-back and could be tasked with keeping the in-form Jadon Sancho quiet.

In the centre of defence, captain Virgil van Dijk is likely to be partnered by Ibrahima Konate. The pair have established themselves as Slot’s first choice pairing at centre-back, and Liverpool have conceded just twice in the league this season.

Scot Andy Robertson is likely to start at left-back ahead of Kostas Tsimikas.

Robertson is in line to start against Chelsea

Midfielders

Ryan Gravenberch has been arguably Liverpool’s player of the season so far this term, and the Dutchman is in line to start once again on Sunday.

He will likely be joined by Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai, both of whom also joined Liverpool alongside Gravenberch last summer.

The trio have all been in fine form in the early weeks of the season, and Slot will hope they can get the better of Chelsea’s midfield.

Gravenberch has arguably been Liverpool’s player of the season so far

Forwards

Talisman Mohamed Salah is in line to start on the right. The Egyptian scored just twice during his time with Chelsea, but has now netted 217 times and provided 94 assists for the Merseyside outfit.

Salah has 11 combined goals and assists already this season

Through the middle, Diogo Jota is likely to be given the nod ahead of Darwin Nunez, who has scored just once so far this season.

Luis Diaz is another player that has started the new season superbly, the and Colombian will be hoping to add to his tally of five goals in seven Premier League games so far.

Predicted XI: Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Konate, Robertson; Mac Allister, Gravenberch, Szoboszlai; Salah, Jota, Diaz. 

 
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