Liverpool vs Chelsea team news: Thibaut Courtois replaces Petr Cech, Steven Gerrard returns for Liverpool

The match kicks off at 7.45pm

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech (GETTY IMAGES)

Thibaut Courtois replaces Petr Cech in goal for Chelsea, while Liverpool welcome the return of captain Steven Gerrard.

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After playing in Chelsea’s 5-0 away thumping of Swansea at the weekend, Cech loses out to Courtois in the Blues goal. Jose Mourinho has opted to go more defensive in midfield with John Obi Mikel lining up alongside Nemanja Matic and Cesc Fabregas. Oscar, who scored twice in the win over Swansea, is rested.

Meanwhile Liverpool make only one change from the side that beat Aston Villa 2-0 away on Saturday.

Steven Gerrard replaces Fabio Borini and is expected to occupy a false nine position in an attacking three with Raheem Sterling and Philippe Coutinho.

TEAMS IN FULL

Liverpool starting XI: Mignolet, Can, Skrtel, Sakho, Lucas, Henderson, Gerrard, Moreno, Markovic, Coutinho, Sterling

Substitutes: Ward, Enrique, Lambert, Manquillo, Lallana, Borini, Rossiter

Chelsea starting XI: Courtois; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Filipe Luis; Matic, Mikel; Willian, Fabregas, Hazard; Diego Costa

Substitutes: Cech, Zouma, Azpilicueta, Ramires, Oscar, Remy, Drogba

Liverpool versus Chelsea has, over the past decade, grown into one of English football's great modern rivalries; battling it out on both the European and domestic stage, in cup and league competition.

Speaking ahead of Tuesday's clash at Anfield, Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers earmarked this fixture as a potential turning point in Liverpool's history - siting Chelsea's triumph over Liverpool in the final of the same competition, back in 2005. It would become Jose Mourinho's first trophy as Chelsea manager.

"I remember joining Chelsea in 2004 and they were a club that wanted to win titles and trophies," Rodgers recalled. "They will tell you that first trophy was the most important one.

"These are the games that excite you. We see this as an opportunity to win a trophy and that could really bring the future of the team on. It is a chance to get to a final."