Liverpool host Chelsea at Anfield in the first leg of the Capital One Cup semi-final tonight. The Reds will be looking to continue their run that has seen them get this far, to win a trophy for the first time since 2012. Liverpool know that they face a real stern test, though.
Chelsea have been magnificent this season and their league position reflects that. Their main man has been Diego Costa who signed from Atletico Madrid in the summer. Costa, who was once a Liverpool target, has hit the ground running with 17 Premier League goals. Mourinho may opt with Didier Drogba or Loic Remy due to Costa playing on Saturday in the league.
Chelsea thrashed Swansea 5-0 at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday. Diego Costa and Oscar with braxes and an Andre Schurrle goal for the Blues. Liverpool also came out victors after beating Aston Villa 2-0 at Villa Park. Fabio Borini and Rickie Lambert scoring for Brendan Rodgers’ men.
Diego Costa in action against Swansea(ChelseaFC.com)
Liverpool’s fine run of form continued as they beat Villa. The majority of the side have been exceptional and are very hard to drop at the moment. Will Brendan Rodgers prioritize the league over the cup? I hope not, as I think a trophy is crucial this season.
Daniel Sturridge still isn’t quite ready and will miss out. However, he is expected back in the coming weeks. Mario Balotelli, too, misses out. The Italian is suffering with a chest infection, he also missed Saturday’s win at Villa. Steven Gerrard is a should be fine for the game, Rodgers is willing to delay his decision of the line-up in order for the skipper to prove his fitness.
Simon Mignolet looked better on Saturday than he has done in previous weeks, and with the injury to Brad Jones, the Belgian is likely to keep his place in the side.
Mamadou Sakho, Martin Skrtel and Emre Can have all put in fine performances over the last few weeks. That will more than likely stay the same, despite the returns of Dejan Lovren and Glen Johnson from injuries.
Lazar Markovic, who was rejected by Jose Mourinho, will be eager to prove a point in the game. Markovic has been in brilliant form for the Reds and has started to show signs of justifying his £20m price tag. Markovic has been occupying the right wing-back role and on Saturday, looked tremendous when defending as well as going forward.
Alberto Moreno has done exceptionally well recently, too. The left wing-back role he’s playing in looks to suit his game wonderfully well. His energy on the side is brilliant. His attacking threat is quality. Perhaps his defensive side of the game could do with a little work on before this vital semi-final.
Lucas and Jordan Henderson I would like to see in the centre of midfield. Those two were both fantastic on Saturday. At the moment they look like two of Liverpool’s most integral players.
Philippe Coutinho has been arguably Liverpool’s most influential player recently. Their upturn in form has been down to his bits of magic. Coutinho has a tendency to perform better in the ‘bigger’ games, too. If Liverpool are to break down this excellent Chelsea defence, Coutinho will have to perform.
The captain, Steven Gerrard, who has made a career out of being a so called ‘big game player’, should be fit for the game. Gerrard’s set-pieces will be key, I feel. His direct free-kicks are exceptional and could trouble any ‘keeper in the world.
Raheem Sterling returned at the weekend and didn’t look his usual menacing self. However, in this sort of game, Liverpool could be relying on Sterling to perform to his usual excellent standards. Liverpool can’t over rely on a 20 year-old too much, though. I would like to see him in the false nine role.
Predicted XI:
Bobby Vincent
Latest posts by Bobby Vincent (see all)
- Liverpool vs Newcastle United – Preview - April 12, 2015
- Blackburn Rovers vs Liverpool – Preview - April 8, 2015
- Arsenal vs Liverpool: Preview - April 3, 2015