UEFA Super Cup: 5 bold predictions for Liverpool vs Chelsea

Liverpool will play Chelsea in Istanbul, for the UEFA Super Cup this week. This is a slight deviation from the start of the Premier League season, which could not have been more different for both clubs. Liverpool kicked off the entire campaign with a dominating 4-1 victory over Norwich City on Friday night, with the Reds going 4-0 up in the first half.

That was the full-time score in Chelsea's league opener, 4-0, as Manchester United took advantage of a sloppy defence to race into a flawless start to the season. Frank Lampard has a significant task in steadying the Chelsea ship, at a time when it is possibly at it's rockiest for decades.

Jürgen Klopp's side seems pretty complete and ready to challenge for the Premier League title, after coming so close last season. This is a huge opportunity for Liverpool to open their silverware account for the season, but will they do it?

Here are five bold predictions for the Super Cup final between Liverpool and Chelsea.

#5 Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in the lineup

Chamberlain could return to the starting XI.

Liverpool's starting lineup against Norwich was as standard as one would expect. Sadio Mane was not prepared enough to start, but beyond that, it was a relatively familiar side that Reds fans have come to see. The perfect exemplification of that is the midfield trio of Fabinho, Jordan Henderson and Georginio Wijnaldum. Expect Jürgen Klopp to make a number of changes for the game in Istanbul.

One player who has barely featured for Liverpool in the past season is Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who spent most of 2018-19 recovering from a nasty knee injury. Now, he is back and raring to go. Klopp will want him to get back to the immense levels he reached pre-injury, so the former Arsenal man will get some game time.

This game, not expected to be as competitive as a league encounter, would be perfect for Chamberlain to have a stab at. Other names like Naby Keita and Adam Lallana could play a part as well.

#4 Chelsea will have a go

Frank Lampard's first game as Chelsea manager ended up as a disaster, but there was some promise in the opening hour. The Blues were the better side until Manchester United scored their second, creating multiple great opportunities. The amount of space that they received is unlikely to remain against Liverpool, but that should not discourage them from having a go.

Norwich City played a decent game at Anfield and why their defence was unable to cope with the Reds' supreme quality, the Canaries had their fair share of chances. Liverpool's defence did not look at it's best on Friday, so maybe Chelsea could cause some problems and test Adrian, who will be making his first start for the Anfield side.

However, it would be a tough ask for the Blues with Virgil van Dijk still at the heart of Liverpool's backline.

#3 The Reds front three will run rings around the Blues defence

Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino have been known to cause some trouble for opposition defenders in the past. Their relentless pace and interplay have been the catalyst to a catalogue of stunning attacking displays for Liverpool. This season should be no different. Salah and Firmino have already gone off to a winning start, with both men playing incredibly.

Mane, who only returned to Melwood a week ago, was not in the starting eleven, but he should be good to go for Wednesday. Chelsea's abysmal defensive showing at Old Trafford would provide some encouragement for the terrifying trio to run riot against them. The Egyptian got off the mark against Norwich with a sensational finish, while Bobby player a blinder of a game.

The three will be up for it and hungry for goals. Even with the brilliance of N'Golo Kante likely to return for the Blues, Salah, Mane and Firmino should be too strong for them.

#2 Christian Pulisic to score

Despite their transfer ban, Chelsea did welcome a new player to the club in the summer. The Blues had agreed a deal with Borussia Dortmund for Christian Pulisic back in January, before their twist of fate. The American is an incredible talent and looks set to fill Eden Hazard's shoes the best he can. He is one of the bright lights in Frank Lampard's current squad.

Pulisic was on the bench on Sunday, but should ideally start against Liverpool. He was unplayable against them in a pre-season friendly between them and Dortmund, highlighting why Jürgen Klopp was also interested in him. Couple his incredible talent with the fact that the Reds defence may not be at its strongest, and he could get a goal or two against them in this match.

This season will be a big one for him, as he looks set to take the bulk of Chelsea's attacking responsibilities.

#1 Liverpool win after scoring at least four goals

This past weekend showed the condition of both Liverpool and Chelsea perfectly. The Reds are ready to challenge for all trophies possible, while the Blues seem to be in a mini-crisis. Despite the slight promise shown by Frank Lampard's side, the negatives completely outweigh the positives. Liverpool, on the other hand, is looking more dangerous as ever.

Jürgen Klopp has turned the Merseyside club into a force, one of the best in Europe. And following the destructive first-half performance which saw Liverpool get four goals, it would not be surprising at all if they do it again. Along with the sorry state of Chelsea's defence, it could honestly turn ugly. After winning the Champions League in May, the Super Cup is set to be the next addition to the German's cabinet.

Liverpool has gained massive success in Istanbul in the past, Wednesday should prove to be no different.