Chelsea head into their game against Liverpool at Anfield brimming with confidence and with no worries at all with regard to injuries
Italian manager Antonio Conte is working miracles at Stamford Bridge. According to the official club website, Conte confirmed that Chelsea had no injury issues heading into the final training session before their game against the Reds.
However, the Italian manager maintained that the visit to Anfield was a difficult prospect, perhaps taking a dig at his title rivals by mentioning the fact that they had lost three games on the trot heading into this one.
“Whenever they play at Anfield Road it’s very difficult for other teams,” said Conte.
“I think we’ll have a great difficulty to face against them because when you arrive after three defeats they are very angry.
“We must pay attention – it will be a great atmosphere, Liverpool is a really great team and I’m sure it is one of the teams that can fight until the end to win the title. We have to play our football and we’ll try to play with good intensity, great attention and we’ll see what happens.”
The Blues lack of injury issues has been a huge factor in their dominant run in the Premier League, as they are sitting pretty at the top of the Premier League table. Chelsea are eight points ahead of second placed Arsenal, and ten ahead of their opponents this Tuesday.
Chelsea won 1-0. (Photo courtesy Mark Ralston/AFP/Getty Images)
The lack of injuries means that Conte will once again field his first choice starting XI. The speculation around his back-up Asmir Begovic notwithstanding, Belgian custodian Thibaut Courtois is sure to start at Anfield.
In front of him lies the three-man defence that has stood with Conte through thick and thin and resurrected their season after a poor start. Gary Cahill, David Luiz and Cesar Azpilicueta together form the heart of the Blues defence.
The two whips of the team will be the flying wing-backs, Victor Moses and Marcos Alonso, who have been marauding down the side to great effect this season. The central midfield duo of N’Golo Kante and Nemanja Matic have been unbreakable this campaign, and will start once again in the hope to boss the Liverpool midfield.
As for the attack, Chelsea now have their main man Diego Costa back in a good mood, and it didn’t take him long to fire. The Spaniard will be joined by Belgian star Eden Hazard and compatriot Pedro in the attacking three.
