Liverpool predicted XI vs Chelsea: Friday Night Football

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 06: Jurgen Klopp, Manager of Liverpool gives a drink to Roberto Firmino of Liverpool during the International Champions Cup match between Liverpool and Barcelona at Wembley Stadium on August 6, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 06: Jurgen Klopp, Manager of Liverpool gives a drink to Roberto Firmino of Liverpool during the International Champions Cup match between Liverpool and Barcelona at Wembley Stadium on August 6, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – September 10: Jamie Vardy of Leicester City in action with Joel Matip of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Leicester City at Anfield on September 10, 2016 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – September 10: Jamie Vardy of Leicester City in action with Joel Matip of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Leicester City at Anfield on September 10, 2016 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images)

CB Joel Matip

This match against Chelsea is going to be a big one for judging if Matip has settled in at Liverpool yet or not. This game is a big reason as to why he’s here.

How Matip deals with Diego Costa, who’s suddenly in form again like Hazard, will be interesting to watch.

Matip is a big boy who can look after himself just like Costa. What’s going to happen the first physical duel, or the first time they mark each other on a set piece (for if either team is attacking)? Fantastic storylines to watch inside the match.

In his two starts at Liverpool, Matip has dealt with two very different strikers in Harry Kane then Jamie Vardy. Costa is another animal as well. Matip did very well against Kane and Vardy, though Vardy’s team didn’t do the striker any favors whatsoever, and it’d be great to see him deal with Costa as well, showing elasticity no matter who lines up against him.

Next: CB Dejan Lovren