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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.
Also Read: 10 greatest strike partnerships in football history
