Mauricio Pochettino is starting his time as the Chelsea head coach with an exciting first game in the Premier League against Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool. This match will take place at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon.
Both of these well-known English teams are hoping to forget about their disappointing performances in the top league last season. Instead, they are aiming to do much better this time and compete strongly to secure a spot in the top four positions.
Team News: Chelsea vs. Liverpool
Chelsea has been hit with a tough blow as they head into the new season. Wesley Fofana and summer addition Christopher Nkunku are both dealing with knee injuries and won't be able to play for several months.On the brighter side, Benoit Badiashile, Noni Madueke, and Armando Broja, who had hamstring and fitness issues respectively during the pre-season, are back in training and might be part of Pochettino's squad for the upcoming match.
In terms of positions, Reece James and Ben Chilwell are expected to be the full-backs. The center-back position could see a competition between Axel Disasi, Thiago Silva, and Levi Colwill. A similar situation is happening for the goalkeeper spot, with Kepa Arrizabalaga and Robert Sanchez vying for the number one position.
Nicolas Jackson is anticipated to make his debut as the striker, joined by Raheem Sterling and Mykhaylo Mudryk possibly playing on the sides. In the midfield, Enzo Fernandez, Conor Gallagher, and Carney Chukwuemeka might form a trio.
Turning to Liverpool, they won't have Thiago Alcantara and Stefan Bajcetic due to hip and adductor injuries respectively. Liverpool is expected to use a 3-4-3 formation when they have the ball. Trent Alexander-Arnold will play as an inverted full-back. The defensive positions will likely be filled by new captain Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, and Andrew Robertson.
In midfield, Mac Allister and Szoboszlai are likely to make their competitive debuts, and they could be joined by either Curtis Jones or Harvey Elliot. Former Chelsea player Mohamed Salah, who had an impressive pre-season with two goals and seven assists in five matches, is expected to continue on the right side of the front three. Darwin Nunez, Cody Gakpo, Luis Diaz, and Diogo Jota are all competing for the other two starting spots in the attack.
Chelsea possible starting lineup:
Arrizabalaga; James, Silva, Colwill, Chilwell; Fernandez, Gallagher; Sterling, Chukwuemeka, Mudryk; Jackson
Liverpool possible starting lineup:
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Jones, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Salah, Nunez, Diaz