How Poch Will Line Up for Season Opener: Chelsea Predicted Lineup vs Liverpool

Mauricio Pochettino takes charge of his new side for the first time in a professional game. This is the Chelsea predicted lineup for their season opener against Liverpool on Sunday, August 13 at Stamford Bridge.

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Chelsea Predicted Lineup vs Liverpool

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How Chelsea Have Lined Up Recently

While pre-season doesn’t offer a perfect insight into the plans of a manager there were some notable trends for the Blues. Nicolas Jackson is being tasked with leading the line as the only fit out-and-out striker. Behind him, Carney Chukwuemeka, Raheem Sterling, Ian Maatsen, and Christopher Nkunku have featured.

Kepa Arrizabalaga has featured as the primary goalkeeper with Reece James, Ben Chilwell, Thiago Silva and Levi Colwill operating as the back four. Shielding the back line has been a defensive midfield pairing of Enzo Fernandez and Conor Gallagher.

Chelsea Recent Form and Tactics

Pochettino went undefeated in pre-season utilising a fluid 4-2-3-1 formation. The setup shifts to a back-three when in possession with one full-back pushing up and adding to the width of the team before shifting back to a back four when possession is lost.

While it’s nothing to read into, an unbeaten pre-season is a decent indication of the improvements made as they avoided defeat against strong opponents like Newcastle and Borussia Dortmund.

Chelsea Injuries to Consider

Unfortunately for Chelsea fans, new signing Nkunku is set to miss some time due to injury. He is joined on the injured list by holdovers Armando Broja, Wesley Fofana, Benoit Badiashile, and potentially Noni Madueke.

Chelsea Predicted Lineup vs Liverpool

Despite some new signings coming since the end of pre-season, most notably Axel Disasi, the starting eleven might favour familiarity from the friendlies so our predicted lineup is:

GK: Kepa Arrizabalaga

RB: Reece James

CB: Thiago Silva

CB: Levi Colwill

LB: Ben Chilwell

DM: Enzo Fernandez

DM: Conor Gallagher

AM: Raheem Sterling

AM: Carney Chukweuemeka

AM: Mykhailo Mudryk

ST: Nicolas Jackson

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Alex Richards, LWOF Editor

An experienced football writer, Alex is also a long-time wrestling and gaming writer. He brings lifelong experience and passion for both mediums to his writing. He aims to cover each with niche accurately and thoroughly.