Chelsea vs Liverpool Predicted Lineup Today | Team News | 2nd Jan 2022 Preview

A Very Happy New Year to all our Sportco readers!! 

Chelsea vs Liverpool: Match Preview

The 2022 year starts off with a top of the table clash as Chelsea welcome Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, 2nd Jan 2022. 

Sportco delivers all the latest team news, build-up and predicted lineup for the clash between Chelsea and Liverpool. 

The Blues form has depleted in the past few games and is looking to return to winning ways when they host fierce rivals, Liverpool. 

However, many things have been on the headlines. Lukaku’s new controversy has sparked English media, and there has been a Cold War between Tuchel and Lukaku. 

And on top of that, injuries and covid cases have put Tuchel in a muddle, which has affected their performance and position in Premier League.

On the other hand, Liverpool have been hit by covid cases and injuries as well . But probably, they will have most of their first-choice players available for this contest.  

A defeat against Leicester has been a punch in the throat for the Reds, and they should make amends in a game against the Blues to reduce the gap between table-toppers Manchester City. Jurgen Klopp should be proactive with his tactics to outclass Tuchel’s struggling side. 

Chelsea vs Liverpool: Team News

The Blues will be without their first-choice players, Reece James and Andreas Christensen, who are recovering from thigh and back injuries. While Ben Chilwell is undergoing surgery on his ACL problem. 

Thiago Silva could start for Chelsea after picking up a knee injury against Aston Villa, however, Ruben Loftus-cheek and Timo Werner will be out after testing positive for Covid-19. 

Good news for Klopp, as Virgil Van Dijk, Fabinho and Curtis Jones have been returned to training after testing positive for Covid-19 earlier.  

While Takumi Minamino and Thiago Alcantara were sidelined after failing to shake off muscle injuries and are not yet fit to play.  

Alisson Becker and Roberto Firmino were not pictured during training on Thursday, but there is no confirmation of their availability. 

Chelsea vs Liverpool: Predicted Lineup

Chelsea Predicted Lineup: (3-4-2-1)- Mendy; Azpilicueta, Chalobah, Rudiger; Hudson-Odoi, Jorginho, Kante, Alonso; Mount, Havertz; Lukaku

Liverpool Predicted Lineup: (4-3-3)- Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Henderson, Fabinho, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Salah, Jota, Mane

Thomas Tuchel and Romelu Lukaku: The Cold war 

In a recent interview of Romelu Lukaku, he stated, “I would like to return to Inter Milan if he gets a chance in the future,” which has sparked controversy. 

The Belgium international further added, “I am not happy with the situation,” “But I am a worker and I must not give up.”

Since arriving at Chelsea, the former Inter player has scored seven goals in 18 appearances, but his form has been hampered by injuries and covid. 

When asked about Lukaku’s comment, Tuchel said, “I don’t like it”

“But I don’t want to make more out of it than it actually is. It is very easy to take lines out of context.” “To be honest I don’t like it because it’s noise we don’t need. We need a calm environment and focus and it does not help.” 

“I don’t feel him unhappy. I feel the exact opposite. If you asked me yesterday morning I would say that he is absolutely fine. That’s why it’s a surprise but I am the wrong person to ask.”

“We can take the time to try to understand what is going on because it does not reflect the daily work, the daily attitude, the daily behaviour Romelu shows here.”

“We will [talk to Lukaku] and we will do it behind closed doors and we will do it openly like I think the relationship is and has always been,”

“With Romelu I don’t think anyone in this building is aware he is unhappy. That is what makes us very surprised about his statements. We need to check because I can see no reason why it should be like this.”