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The Premier League is back in action with a set of crucial mid-week fixtures this week as Liverpool take on Chelsea at Anfield on Thursday. The two English giants have been fairly inconsistent this season and will be intent on proving a point in this match.
Liverpool have endured a difficult Premier League campaign so far and face an uphill battle to secure a top-four finish this season. The Merseyside outfit has had to account for several injuries over the past few months and will need to be at its best against a formidable Chelsea unit.
Chelsea replaced club legend Frank Lampard with German manager Thomas Tuchel earlier this season and the Blues have shown positive signs over the past month. The London giants still have work to do with their attacking combinations, however, and will want to make a statement in this fixture.
Both teams have impressive players in their ranks and have taken the Premier League by storm in the past. Chelsea and Liverpool are fighting for Champions League qualification at the moment and their talented stars are unlikely to hold back as they lock horns on the pitch.
#5 Curtis Jones vs N'golo Kante
N'golo Kante is arguably one of the most important players in Chelsea's squad and has a knack for bringing his best self to some of the biggest matches of the season. The former Leicester City midfielder possesses a unique blend of tenacity and guile and his ability to influence Chelsea's midfield play and resulted in emphatic victories on several occasions in the past.
In Thomas Tuchel's system, Kante is a key component in the midfield and often wins possession for his side. Liverpool have illustrious midfielders of their own and the Frenchman will likely have his work cut out for him to ensure that Chelsea dominates the middle of the pitch.
Curtis Jones has been a revelation for Liverpool this season and remains one of the few bright spots in Jurgen Klopp's side. The youngster has been a formidable creative force in the final third but will have to overcome N'golo Kante's machinations in the midfield.
#4 Marcos Alonso vs Trent Alexander-Arnold
Trent Alexander-Arnold was Liverpool's local hero last season and produced match-winning performances on a weekly basis as the Anfield giants bulldozed their way to the Premier League title. This year, however, the English prodigy has been largely anonymous as Liverpool have faltered in their title defence.
Trent Alexander-Arnold does have talent and time on his side, however, and will want to rejuvenate his fortunes as Liverpool approach a particularly hectic schedule. The Englishman will be up against a resurgent Marcos Alonso on Thursday and is unlikely to have an easy game.
Marcos Alonso has undergone a renaissance under Thomas Tuchel this season and has moved ahead of Ben Chilwell in Chelsea's pecking order. The Spaniard is thriving in Tuchel's 3-4-3 formation and will be intent on making an impact in this high-octane fixture.
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#3 Thiago Alcantara vs Mateo Kovacic
Liverpool and Chelsea are both known for their formidable midfield units and the battle between the two clubs' midfield maestros is likely to have a massive impact on the result of this fixture. Liverpool signed Thiago Alcantara after winning the Premier League last season and the Spaniard is yet to find his feet in England.
Jurgen Klopp has been effusive in his praise of the former Bayern Munich midfielder but a series of injuries have hampered his time at Liverpool. Thiago Alcantara has been heavily criticised this season and has a massive point to prove going into this fixture.
Mateo Kovacic has been a crucial component of Chelsea's tactical transformation this season and his box-to-box abilities have effectively facilitated Thomas Tuchel's ideas at the club so far. The Croatian midfielder will be up against one of the most talented midfielders in world football and cannot afford to put a foot wrong against Liverpool on Thursday.
#2 Sadio Mane vs Cesar Azpilicueta
Sadio Mane was one of Liverpool's best players under Jurgen Klopp last season and is virtually unstoppable in full flow. The Senegalese winger has managed seven Premier League goals for Liverpool this season but has been unable to replicate the form that made him one of the club's most lethal assets.
Mane is known for his ability to put his best foot forward against the Premier League's best teams and will have to take it up a notch to guide Liverpool past the finish line. Chelsea have suffered from Sadio Mane's heroics in the past and Cesar Azpilicueta will likely have his hands full on Thursday.
The veteran Spanish defender is a reliable presence in Chelsea's three-man defensive line but is prone to the occasional lapse in concentration. At his best, Sadio Mane is one of Liverpool's most ruthless goalscorers and the Chelsea captain will have to be wary of his pacy opponent.
#1 Mohamed Salah vs Antonio Rudiger
Mohamed Salah has become Liverpool's talisman over the past few years and can be a match-winner on his day. The Egyptian winger is a potent weapon in his prime and will look to step up to the plate against Thomas Tuchel's Chelsea side this Thursday.
Chelsea's defence will have to pay special attention to Mohamed Salah this week and cannot afford to let their former player wreak havoc against their three-man back-line. Antonio Rudiger will be the first line of defence against the Liverpool forward and cannot afford to slip up against the speedster.
Rudiger and Mohamed Salah have shared a dressing room with AS Roma in the past and will relish the prospect of getting one over each other on Thursday. A top-four finish hangs in the balance and both Liverpool and Chelsea will need to get their affairs in order ahead of this match.
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