Liverpool fans will be hoping Steven Gerrard is fit to face Chelsea, after missing their last game…
Liverpool host Chelsea tonight, looking to claim an advantage in the first leg of their Capital One Cup semi-final, ahead of next Tuesday’s second leg. The winner of the tie will face either Tottenham Hotspur or Sheffield United at Wembley later in the year.
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Kop boss Brendan Rodgers will hope to have captain Steven Gerrard available again, after his skipper missed the league match against Aston Villa on Saturday. The midfielder was still recovering from a knock he sustained against Sunderland.
But after just one defeat in 14 games, Rodgers could have a welcome selection headache ahead of the game, as he debates whether or not to change a winning formula. Here’s how we think they’ll line-up:
GK) Simon Mignolet
The Belgian put in arguably his best performance of the season against Aston Villa on Sunday, and finally looks to be showing signs of recapturing some confidence. He will need to be at his best against Chelsea.
RCB) Emre Can
Can continues to impress in his defensive role, and with Kolo Toure away on international duty with the Ivory Coast, his place in the team is unlikely to come under threat. He scored against Chelsea last time out.
LCB) Mamadou Sakho
Put in a strong performance against Villa to help us record our seventh clean sheet of the season, and will be hoping for more of the same against the Blues this week.
CB) Martin Skrtel
Has grown in confidence over the last couple of months, and now looks closer to the Martin Skrtel of last season. A big factor in that improvement has been the fact that he is now part of a settle back three, alongside Sakho and Can.
DM) Lucas Leiva
A certain starter, he will once again be protecting the back three in the face of Chelsea’s exceptional attacking options. The Brazilian has been vital in recent months, and needs to produce more of the same here.
MR) Lazar Markovic
His versatility is proving a real asset to Brendan Rodgers, who has made use of the Serbian in several different positions in recent weeks. It will be interesting to see how he copes when asked to do more defending.
ML) Alberto Moreno
The Spaniard has been in fine form in recent weeks, and his bombing runs down the left hand side have proved extremely valuable. But he could find himself pinned back on Tuesday, and his defending will need to be at its best.
CM) Jordan Henderson
Arguably Liverpool’s stand-out player so far this month. Encouragingly, Henderson appears to thrive when given the additional responsibility of the captaincy, and has enjoyed being back in a central role. More of the same please!
RAM) Steven Gerrard
Still a doubt, having been out of action since the first-half of the Sunderland game earlier this month, but the Liverpool skipper is likely to return for such a crucial clash, having been rested against Aston Villa.
LAM) Coutinho
Liverpool’s stand-out player going forward since before Christmas. The ever-busy Brazilian will hope to produce in the big game atmosphere at Anfield, as he looks to further enhance his growing reputation.
ST) Raheem Sterling
The 20-year-old returned to the Liverpool team for the weekend win over Villa after enjoying an extended winter break. Now fully refreshed, and with his first game under his belt, he’ll be hoping to cause plenty of problems.
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