da mrbet： Chelsea and Liverpool meet tonight with the two clubs feeling markedly different about their respective campaigns compared to when they faced-off earlier in the season.
da betway： Liverpool have won one match so far in 2017, an FA Cup Third Round replay against Plymouth, and Chelsea are flying high at the top of the Premier League table. Liverpool won their contest at Stamford Bridge earlier in the campaign, but Jurgen Klopp, rather than Antonio Conte, is now the man under pressure.
This match at Anfield is a chance for Chelsea to confirm their position as Champions elect. Liverpool, on the other hand, must win the match to prove that they were not a half season wonder. The home side have much to lose, while Chelsea still have everything to gain. Keeping their lead at a lofty eight points while chalking a challenging fixture off their schedule could be pivotal in the title race.
Midweek Premier League football is great, and there are some real stars on show at Anfield that would make a great combined XI…
GK – Thibaut Courtois
A bit of a no-brainer this one, really. Loris Karius and Simon Mignolet continue to amuse with their goalkeeping antics, while Thibaut Courtois has returned to very best form during this Premier League season.
At his athletic, reassuring best against Hull last time out, the Belgian has been a cornerstone of Chelsea’s successes. He is on course to win his second league title with the Blues and, despite rumours he could leave the club this summer, Courtois must be a strong contender for the team of the season.
RB – Cesar Azpilicueta
Nathaniel Clyne is one of the Premier League’s best right-backs, but Cesar Azpilicueta just pips him to the role. Although the Spaniard has been functioning as a central member of a back three for the majority of this season, his ability to get forward should not be forgotten.
Clyne is the better attacker of the two, but Azpilicueta is arguably the best one-on-one defender in the league. Having been so key in Chelsea’s ability to make the back three work, Azpilicueta deserves his inclusion.
CB – Joel Matip
A certain contender for signing of the season, Joel Matip has been the only player to bring any sense of calm to the Liverpool defence. Dominant aerially and organising the mess around him well, Matip’s lack of availability over the last few weeks has been a reason for their downfall.
It has been the performances in his absence that have defined Matip’s quality this season. Liverpool look a significantly better team with him around, so Klopp will be glad to have him available again.
CB – David Luiz
Few would have expected to see David Luiz in any combined XIs when he re-signed for Chelsea last summer. The Brazilian, however, has been under-rated by many throughout his career and found a role at the Blues that suits him perfectly.
He has enabled the back three to work and it has brought the best out of him as a player. Sweeping up any danger and acting as the launchpad for Chelsea’s attacks, Luiz’s season has been a delight and a pleasant surprise to many a Chelsea fan.
LB – Marcos Alonso
Marcos Alonso almost won this by default. The Spaniard has had a good season for Chelsea, but his weaknesses are glaring. Often too slow and naïve defensively, the Blues may well be looking to upgrade at left wing-back next season.
However, Alonso was up against James Milner and Alberto Moreno for this slot in the side. That meant to ex-Fiorentina man easily makes it into the team, especially in light of his recent performance against Leicester.
CM – Adam Lallana
Adam Lallana was undervalued at Liverpool before Klopp. Now he is one of their most important players. His performances throughout this campaign have been well worthy of the recognition he has received, whether it be for his creativity or industry off the ball, Lallana has shone even in some of Liverpool’s poorer displays.
The former Saint has provided balance to Liverpool’s midfield and popped up with the odd goal. His journey to appreciation has been a tricky one at times, but it’s well deserved.
CM – N’Golo Kante
N’Golo Kante could become the first player to win the title in consecutive seasons with different clubs. The success of Antonio Conte’s team is evidently not all down to the tireless Frenchman, but the importance of his role in Chelsea’s side is as great as it was in Leicester’s last season.
He shan’t be scoring any screamers or delivering killer passes like some of the more glamourous players on the pitch tonight, but Kante’s role in breaking up Liverpool’s midfield play will be as key as anyone’s.
CM – Philippe Coutinho
He’s just returned from injury and Liverpool’s star man is the main threat to Chelsea – assuming Sadio Mane does not start the match. The Brazilian recently signed a new contract to keep him at the club, that will have sent Anfield into raptures after the recent pain they have suffered in losing their most important players.
Coutinho is showing the consistency and rounded game that could take him to the next level.
LW – Eden Hazard
No combined XI would be complete without Eden Hazard. Still searching for the consistency to confirm his status as one of the top ten players in the world, Hazard has proven to the footballing world that last season was a poor fitness induced blip.
His understanding with Pedro and Diego Costa has made Chelsea the force they are this season. So often attracting a double-up, Hazard’s mazy dribbling creates space for his team-mates and draws free-kicks in dangerous areas.
RW – Roberto Firmino
Firmino endured a tricky spell over the depths of the English winter but emphatically leapt out of that slump with two sublime goals against Swansea. His role as Liverpool’s number nine was key to the Reds’ play when at their best earlier in the season and the Brazilian is only improving as a player.
A natural linker of play with a cool head in front of goal, Firmino could slot into the majority of Premier League teams this season. Pedro can understandably feel a little hard done by to miss out on a spot in the XI, but the attacking midfield roles are where these two sides are at their strongest.
ST – Diego Costa
As this XI started with the certain pick of Courtois, it ends with the guarantee of Diego Costa. Chelsea’s leading goal scorer seems to have put the falling out with Antonio Conte well behind him and looked back to his snarling best against Hull. Few centre-forwards in the world can claim to be on the same level as Costa this season, in fact.
Daniel Sturridge’s quality is without question, but the Liverpool striker has fallen out of favour with Klopp for a reason. Costa is the league’s best striker at the moment and his place was without question in this team.