Liverpool: This is the back four we want to see against Chelsea
By David Gate
Center Back: Joel Matip
Matip has missed the last two games with injury but looks set to be fit for Saturday’s clash. That will be a huge boost for Klopp. The manager has resisted the urge to play Joe Gomez at center back and has gone for Dejan Lovren and Ragnar Klavan as his pairing against Southampton and Seville.
That duo did well against the Saints and were fine against Seville. However Klopp can not be excited about trotting them out again against a top side like Chelsea. If Matip is good to go then surely he will be back into the lineup.
If Matip is unable to suit up then I would expect to see Dejan Lovren in his place. The Croatian is Liverpool’s best defender in the air and will be needed against Alvaro Morata who has scored more headed goals than anyone else in the Premier League this season.
Klavan has dropped in for the last run of games and been fine. He has partnered both Matip and Lovren. While there is no way you can say that he has impressed you can say he has been serviceable. That is about as much as you can hope for from the Estonian.
Hopefully we will have more good news about Matip later today or tomorrow ahead of the big game on Saturday.