Liverpool vs Chelsea team news: Steven Gerrard, Raheem Sterling, Mario Balotelli and Diego Costa return for crucial Anfield clash

Brendan Rodgers makes seven changes to the side that lost to Real Madrid

Steven Gerrard and Mario Balotelli in action for Liverpool (GETTY IMAGES)

Brendan Rodgers has brought back the 'A' team that controversially sat out the defeat at the Bernabeu to Real Madrid in midweek.

LIVE: All the action from Liverpool vs Chelsea as it happens

Seven players - Glen Johnson, Dejan Lovren, Steven Gerrard, Jordan Henderson, Philippe Coutinho, Raheem Sterling and Mario Balotelli - are back in the starting line-up after being rested by Brendan Rodgers in the Champions League.

Emre Can keeps his place in midfield over the more expenrienced pair of Lucas and Joe Allen, who are on the bench, while Kolo Toure misses out despite an excellent performance in the 1-0 defeat to the defending European champions.

For Chelsea, Jose Mourinho Diego Costa returns to lead the line, while Ramires is back after injury and Cesar Azpilicueta is back after a three-match suspension.

Thibaut Courtois, Oscar and Gary Cahill all return to the first XI after being rested in midweek, while Loic Remy is fit enough for the bench.

Both teams look as if they will set up in a 4-3-3 formation.

LINE-UPS:

Liverpool: Mignolet, Johnson, Skrtel, Lovren, Moreno, Gerrard, Can, Henderson, Coutinho, Sterling, Balotelli.

Subs: Jones, Toure, Lucas, Allen, Lallana, Borni, Lambert.

Chelsea: Courtois, Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta, Matic, Fabregas, Ramires, Oscar, Hazard, Diego Costa.

Subs: Cech, Zouma, Filipe Luis, Mikel, Willian, Remy, Drogba.