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Chelsea vs Liverpool preview: all eyes on Cesc Fabregas in crunch game for Blues manager Jose Mourinho

A look ahead to Saturday's game at Stamford Bridge

Friday 30 October 2015 16:21 GMT

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho (Reuters)

It’s a big game for…

CESC FABREGAS: The Spanish midfielder’s form has been a huge concern of late, with the 28-year-old failing to score and getting just one assist this season. Last year he created 19 goals and his partnership with Nemanja Matic proved to be crucial to Chelsea’s title success. Fabregas has started every game for the Champions this season, but will have to dramatically improve in this one against a Liverpool side unbeaten in their last 10 matches.

Best stat…

60%: Liverpool have kept clean sheets in nine of their 15 away matches in the Premier League this calendar year, including three in five games this season. It will be interesting to see if Jürgen Klopp sacrifices some of their defensive stability in an attempt to score more goals away from home with the Reds failing to score more than once in 15 games on the road in all competitions.

Chelsea vs Liverpool combined XI

Show all 11

1/11Chelsea vs Liverpool combined XI

Chelsea vs Liverpool combined XI

Asmir Begovic

Not much of the blame for Chelsea’s atrocious form lies at the Bosnian’s door and, to an extent, he has deputised well for the injured Thibaut Courtois. Despite looking far more assured in recent matches, the erratic Mignolet misses out.

2015 Getty Images

Chelsea vs Liverpool combined XI

Nathaniel Clyne

With no recognised Chelsea right-back available for Saturday’s clash, Clyne takes the starting berth here. He does not merely do so on default though. The summer signing capped off his decent start to life at Anfield with his first goal on Wednesday night against Bournemouth.

Chelsea vs Liverpool combined XI

Cesar Azpilicueta

The Spaniard known as ‘Dave’ in the Chelsea dressing room edges ahead of compatriot Alberto Moreno, despite the latter’s resurgent form. Moreno endured a difficult, inconsistent first season while Azpilicueta played an integral role in a tight, title-winning defence.

Chelsea vs Liverpool combined XI

Kurt Zouma

There are slim pickings at centre-back for both sides but we’ve plumped for the Chelsea youngster. Zouma’s potential is obvious even if his performances have been a little inconsistent. The best of a bad bunch at the Bridge.

Chelsea vs Liverpool combined XI

Mamadou Sakho

One of several players at Liverpool to be blossoming under Jurgen Klopp. He was not fancied under the old regime but is beginning to establish himself as the club’s best defender.

Chelsea vs Liverpool combined XI

Lucas Leiva

A man reborn following Jurgen Klopp’s arrival at Anfield. The Brazilian’s place was never secure under Brendan Rodgers but the new manager has recognised how vital his experience can be to the side. Lucas gets in ahead of the once imperious Nemanja Matic who, so far, is having a season to forget.

Chelsea vs Liverpool combined XI

Emre Can

A man reborn following Jurgen Klopp’s arrival at Anfield. The Brazilian’s place was never secure under Brendan Rodgers but the new manager has recognised how vital his experience can be to the side. Lucas gets in ahead of the once imperious Nemanja Matic who, so far, is having a season to forget.

Chelsea vs Liverpool combined XI

Willian

The Brazilian may be the one bright spark in Chelsea’s dismal start. Willian has added goals to his relentless work ethic and right now, his side need all the help they can get.

Chelsea vs Liverpool combined XI

Philippe Coutinho

OK, so, we’re using ‘on current form’ rule a little loosely. The Brazilian is playing like a drain at the moment but Coutinho’s brilliance often comes out of nothing. He’s playing poorly one minute and the next he scores a 30-yard screamer. This weekend, he might once again make the difference.

Chelsea vs Liverpool combined XI

Roberto Firmino

Another player whose difficult start to the season may now be over. He was fantastic against Bournemouth on Wednesday night and, while one swallow does not make a summer, you’d certainly take him above Eden Hazard at the moment.

Chelsea vs Liverpool combined XI

Christian Benteke

It’s been a frustrating start to life at Anfield for the powerful Belgian striker but, when he has played, he has impressed. After recovering from a minor injury picked up against Southampton, Benteke is in line to start on Saturday.

Remember when…

These two sides were drawn against each other in the Champions League knockout stages for a third consecutive season and threw up a thriller in the 2008/09 quarter-final second leg at Stamford Bridge. After Chelsea won 3-1 at Anfield six days earlier, Liverpool raced into a 2-0 lead in the first-half but were pegged back and the game eventually finished 4-4 to see the hosts progress into the last four.

Player to watch…

PHILIPPE COUTINHO: The talented attacking midfielder could flourish under the management of Jürgen Klopp and get close to replicating his outstanding form of last season. The 23-year-old was named in the PFA team of the year despite Liverpool finishing in sixth, but he has not been at his best in the early part of this season, failing to score since the opening weekend. The Brazilian will be a key figure if Liverpool are to have any chance of reaching the top four this season.

Past three-meetings…

Chelsea 1 (Terry) Liverpool 1 (Gerrard), Premier League, May 2015

Chelsea 1 (Ivanovic) Liverpool 0, Capital One Cup, January 2015

Liverpool 1 (Sterling) Chelsea 1 (Hazard), Capital One Cup, January 2015

Form guide…

Chelsea: LLWDLL*

Liverpool: DDDDDW

(* = lost on penalties after draw in normal time)

Vital information…

KICK-OFF TIME: 12.45pm, Saturday, 31 October

TV: Live on BT Sport 1, Highlights on BBC1 from 10.25pm

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