Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has named an unchanged side from the team that ran out 3-2 winners at Carrow Road last weekend.
The Reds secured Champions League football for next season with the win and they will be looking to open an eight point gap at the top of the table with a win today against Chelsea. Simon Mignolet keeps his place in net and he’ll have both Martin Skrtel and Mamadou Sakho for company. Jon Flanagan and Blue’s old boy Glen Johnson — who loves to score against his former sides — occupy the flanks.
Through midfield, Reds captain Steven Gerrard is joined by Lucas and Joe Allen, while further forward, the trio of Raheem Sterling, Philippe Coutinho and Luis Suarez will be looking to grab an early goal to settle what little pre-match nerves might exist. Liverpool have become known for their barnstorming openings with the tattered remains of both Arsenal and Everton testament to their uncompromising onslaught.
So much has been made in the build-up to this match of Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho’s threat to field a weakened side that it’s come as little surprise when it arrived; goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer is handed the start with Petr Cech out injured and he’ll have Cesar Azpilicueta, Branislav Ivanovic, debutant Tomas Kalas and Ashley Cole in front of him. Stand-in captain Frank Lampard will be joined by Jon Obi Mikel and second time around Blue’s midfielder Nemanja Matic in the center of the part while almost Liverpool player Mohamed Salah, Senegalese striker Demba Ba and Andre Schurrle start up top.
