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Troubled Chelsea and Liverpool look to get season back on track

Chelsea v Liverpool
English Premier League
Stamford Bridge, London
Sunday, 20th November 2011
17:00 GMT

Last season, in the very similar fixture all the eyes were focused on Fernando Torres. On a day that was supposed to be all about the former Liverpool player, it was then current one Raul Meireles who fired them to victory at Stamford Bridge. A lot has changed since then. Liverpool have a new look squad and Meireles like Torres signed for Chelsea on deadline day and will be ready to face his former side. The two sides will be keen to boost confidence with three points, in what promises to be an intensely contested match.

Form and Team News:

Chelsea

The blues have stumbled lately, having suffered troubling few weeks. Falling to consecutive defeats against newcomers QPR and Robin Van Persie inspired Arsenal side have proved to be major setbacks in their race for the premier league crown. Another home defeat on Sunday and they may forget about the title and focus on just the champions league places as the competition is harder than it ever was.

Chelsea have one of the world’s best attacking line-ups but they have not been lethal, adding to that the shaky defense has cost them. 11 games in and they have only registered 2nd clean sheet of the league, two weeks back in an unconvincing win versus Blackburn Rovers. Beyond football, the racism claims against skipper John Terry and FA charge allegations leveled at Villas Boas have done them no good. Victory against the reds will greatly assist to disperse the mist surrounding the club.

Fernando Torres, Juan Mata and Branislav Ivanovic returned a day later than other team members due to long haul trips in midweek and are fit to play. Torres and Meireles were benched in the last game and it remains to be seen whether manager opts to start them against former team mates. Juan Mata is their key man, Frank Lampard after a stuttering start to the season is finally back in form and Daniel Sturridge being the most consistent striker are favorites to start.

Possible starting XI: 1 Petr Cech, 2 Branislav Ivanovic, 33 Alex, 26 John Terry, 3 Ashley Cole, 7 Ramires, 12 John Obi Mikel, 8 Frank Lampard, 10 Juan Mata, 23 Daniel Sturridge, 9 Fernando Torres

Liverpool

Liverpool have been playing eye-catching football under Kenney Dalglish still like Chelsea they have faltered as well. 4 draws in 6 home games is by no means satisfactory. Failure to defeat promoted teams that too at Anfield has been frustrating for the reds. The conversion rate is a massive concern; Liverpool hit combined 54 shots against Swansea and Norwich City but were only able to score once. Sitting 3 points behind the blues, Liverpool will be looking to draw level with another victory at the Bridge.

They have non-footballing problems of their own as well, lately as Luis Suarez has been charged by FA for racially abusing Patrice Evra. Suarez is their main source of cutting defenses apart. He annihilated Chile single handedly scoring all four goals in last week’s World Cup Qualifier. Whether the controversy surrounding the Uruguayan will influence his brilliant form remains to be seen.

Steven Gerrard is still recovering from injury that perhaps confirms Adam and Lucas starting in central midfield. Kenny has mostly selected Henderson over Kuyt this season but the young boy has not been much effective in a position he doesn’t prefer and in a game of this importance, the Dutch player might return to the starting line-up. Carragher’s return from injury is a major boost still without him Liverpool have kept two consecutive clean sheets. Carroll is improving but has not been convincing partnering Luis Suarez. Just like the former one, there are doubts whether the new number 9 will start this fixture or not.

Possible starting XI: 25 Pepe Reina, 34 Martin Kelly, 23 Jamie Carragher, 5 Daniel Agger, 3 Jose Enrique, 18 Dirk Kuyt, 26 Charlie Adam, 21 Lucas Leiva, 19 Stewart Downing, 9 Andy Carrol, 7 Luis Suarez.

The game holds real significance as both teams look to start off with a win coming back from the international break.  If Chelsea are to make a title challenge, or Liverpool are to qualify for Champions League, three points are vital.

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Topics: Chelsea, English Premier League, Features, Liverpool, Match Reports