Sunday, November 20, 2011

Match Preview: Chelsea vs Liverpool

As much as Andre Villas-Boas and Kenny Dalglish would prefer it not to be the case, all eyes will be on Fernando Torres, with a few glances towards Raul Meireles, when Chelsea host Liverpool on Sunday.

Torres and Meireles both left Anfield within the last 12 months under respective clouds having been seen by many on Merseyside to have forced their transfers to Stamford Bridge.

Spain international Torres quit Liverpool last January in a £50million deal, while Portugal playmaker Meireles moved on the final day of this summer's window having played three games for his former club this season.

Both players have claimed there are untold stories to their transfers, but they remain unpopular in the eyes of those in red and are certain to be targeted by the travelling boo-boys in West London.

Liverpool's loss was Chelsea's gain and, although Torres, who suffered defeat to Liverpool in his first reunion in February 2011, has scored just three league goals since moving, both he and Meireles appear to be important members of Villas-Boas' new-look team.

Such will be the focus on Torres and Meireles, there may even be some respite for John Terry amid the ongoing investigations of the Football Association and the police regarding allegations of racism towards Anton Ferdinand.

Chelsea's main concern is to avoid dropping further points, with Premier League leaders Manchester City already holding a nine-point lead over Villas-Boas' fourth-placed club, who have already lost three games.

Liverpool would need to win four or more goals to overtake Chelsea, but Dalglish's side are just three points behind their weekend hosts, despite drawing three of their last four league matches.

Chelsea will welcome back Didier Drogba from suspension, while John Obi Mikel shook off a back injury to face Blackburn before the international break.

Goalkeeper Hilario was not involved in the squad at Ewood Park because he was suffering with 'flu, but Michael Essien (knee) remains a long-term absentee.

Defender Jamie Carragher is in contention to return to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday having missed the last two matches with a calf injury.

Striker Luis Suarez is expected to keep his place in the starting line-up after being rested for Uruguay's friendly win over Italy in midweek as a precautionary measure after a minor back problem.

Captain Steven Gerrard is still making his way back to full fitness after an ankle infection.

Possible starting XIs:

Chelsea: Cech, Bosingwa, Ivanovic, Terry, Cole, Lampard, Ramires, Mikel, Mata, Sturridge, Torres.

Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Enrique, Lucas, Adam, Downing, Henderson, Kuyt, Suarez.

No comments: