'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAHAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAb/2gAIAQEAAAAAni//xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAF/9oACAECEAAAACP/xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD/9oACAEDEAAAAC//xAAhEAACAgAFBQAAAAAAAAAAAAACAwERAAQGEiEFIjFBU//aAAgBAQABPwAdMZhiZUWZQyVDBG491d1yNcX65welg3lb+mefm7H/xAAYEQACAwAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAgEEIf/aAAgBAgEBPwB7DRh//8QAHBEAAAYDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEDBAURMaHR/9oACAEDAQE/AFJtxeC30f/Z'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The Premier League returns with the biggest fixture of the 2020-21 season so far as reigning champions Liverpool visit the Stamford Bridge this weekend for what is set to be an exciting match against a new-look Chelsea side.
Liverpool managed an incredible 4-3 victory against Leeds United in the opening fixture of their campaign and will hope to put in a better defensive performance against Frank Lampard's formidable Chelsea side. Jurgen Klopp's juggernaut had its fair share of issues against Leeds United and cannot afford to slip up against the Blues.
Liverpool completed Thiago's signing during the week but the Spanish maestro is unlikely to play a major role in this match. Frank Lampard's Chelsea side picked up a 3-1 victory against Brighton in the first game week but were far from convincing and will be looking for coherence against Liverpool.
While Liverpool have come into this season with largely the same squad, Chelsea have brought in several key players in the summer. Jurgen Klopp and Frank Lampard have excellent squads this season and both teams have a number of key players and could decide the outcome of this game.
#5 Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
Liverpool rely heavily on star defender Virgil van Dijk to protect their goal and the Dutchman is the de-facto leader of the Liverpool back-line. Van Dijk played a pivotal role in Liverpool's successful Premier League campaign last year and is one of the best defenders in the world at his best.
That being said, Van Dijk has been prone to uncharacteristically sloppy errors since Liverpool's title victory and cannot afford to make mistakes against the likes of Timo Werner and Kai Havertz. Chelsea have a potent attacking combination and will test the imposing Dutch defender.
Virgil van Dijk was the guilty party for Leeds United's opening goal last week and will need to be careful against a Chelsea side that has shown considerable improvement over the past few months. The Liverpool star has not been at his best in the recent past and needs to step up to the plate this weekend.
#4 Kai Havertz (Chelsea)
Kai Havertz joined Timo Werner at Chelsea a few weeks ago and made his debut against Brighton last week. Apart from a few bright moments, the German midfielder did not look to be at his best and will need some time to adapt to Frank Lampard's style of play.
Kai Havertz will need to play a few more matches to find his feet at Chelsea but will not find much space and time on the ball against a Liverpool side that is known for its suffocating press. The German star has enjoyed an excellent year so far and will want to show the Chelsea fanbase what he is capable of.
Havertz started the game against West Brom in a wide position alongside Timo Werner and may well find himself in a more central area against Liverpool. Kai Havertz has to meet lofty expectations this season and the Liverpool match is an excellent place to start.
Also Read: Arsenal vs West Ham United prediction, preview, team news and more | Premier League 2020-21
#3 Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)
Trent Alexander-Arnold has become a cult figure at Liverpool after a string of exceptional performances at right-back last season led Liverpool to the Premier League title. The English defender has not been his usual self in the recent past, however, and will be tested against a strong Chelsea side.
Trent Alexander-Arnold has an excellent record against Chelsea, however, and scored an incredible free-kick in the previous meeting between the two sides a couple of months ago. The full-back is known for his forays into the final third but will be up against the pacy Timo Werner and needs to be wary of Chelsea's counter-attacks.
The talented right-back was not at his best against Leeds United last week and was often caught out of position by Marcelo Bielsa's machinations. Frank Lampard will look to exploit Alexander-Arnold's propensity to burst forward and the defender will need to take it up a notch this weekend.
#2 Timo Werner (Chelsea)
Timo Werner produced several moments of brilliance for Chelsea on his Premier League debut last week and will be presented with a much sterner test against a Liverpool defence that was brilliant last season. Timo Werner is perfectly capable of dismantling any back-line with his pace, however, and will back himself against a Liverpool side that has not met its lofty standards so far this season.
The German striker tormented Brighton's defence last week and used his pace to win Chelsea a penalty in the build-up to the opening goal. Werner's versatility allows him to play across the forward line and Frank Lampard will be able to use his star man in a variety of positions.
Timo Werner has both pace and form on his side and will be up against Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez this weekend. The Liverpool defence has not been at its best in recent weeks and Timo Werner will want to show Liverpool what they are missing and score his first Chelsea goal against Jurgen Klopp's side.
#1 Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Mohamed Salah proved his critics wrong over the weekend with a splendid performance against Leeds United and will be Liverpool's chief threat going into this game. The Egyptian winger was not at his best against Arsenal in the FA Community Shield game but erupted in Liverpool's first Premier League match of the season and scored a stunning hat-trick.
Salah's heroics propelled Liverpool to a 4-3 victory last weekend and Jurgen Klopp will be counting on his talisman to step up against his former side. Chelsea do not have the most reliable defence in the Premier League and Mohamed Salah's pace and potency in the final third has troubled the Blues on several occasions in the past.
Salah's hat-trick against Leeds United is an ominous sign for a Chelsea side that did not have the best of outings against Leeds United last week. Jurgen Klopp's side has its fair share of issues but they do have the ultimate trump card in an in-form Mohamed Salah.
