Liverpool vs. Chelsea: Stars Who Must Shine for Blues to Keep Top 4 Hopes Alive

Chelsea will battle Liverpool for the second straight match on Tuesday after defeating the Reds to win the FA Cup over the weekend. This time around it's a Premier League clash, as the Blues look to keep their top four hopes alive heading into the final game.

Let's take a look at three players who must have terrific performances for Chelsea to knock off Liverpool again to move within two points of Tottenham. Catching the Spurs would take one layer of pressure off the Blues in the Champions League final.

Daniel Sturridge

It's been a struggle as of late for Sturridge following a solid start to the season. He's scored just two goals in his last 14 appearances and has found himself on the bench seven times over the same span. That makes Chelsea's tournament success a bit surprising.

The 22-year-old striker needs to start using his pace to find gaps in the opposing back line. It seems like he's been a step behind during his slump and when you take his biggest advantage away—speed—he's not nearly as difficult to stop.

Sturridge scored a goal against the Reds earlier in the season, so perhaps another game against Liverpool will help get him back on track for the season's final few games. A late resurgence would do wonders for the Blues.

John Terry

Terry continues to serve as the stabilizing force for Chelsea's back line. That's especially true with Gary Cahill, who had played really well since coming over from Bolton, sidelined. Luckily, Terry has been able to keep his fellow defenders on the same page without a key piece.

These games near the end of the campaign are made for veterans like Terry. He has literally seen it all throughout his successful career, so he's able to perform at a high level despite the constant pressure. His experience is an invaluable resource.

The Blues gave up eight shots on goal in the FA Cup championship match. They would like to get that number more under control on Tuesday. That starts with Terry stepping up to make sure Liverpool doesn't get any point-blank scoring chances.

Petr Cech

Chelsea's recent success wouldn't be possible without the play of Cech between the pipes. He's reasserted himself as one of the world's most reliable keepers with several standout performances since Roberto Di Matteo took over.

Not only has Cech controlled his box really well, but even when there has been a defensive breakdown he's stepped up to make a big save. He'll need to carry that form to a couple more games if the Blues are going to finish the season strong.

A goalkeeper is heavily reliant on his back line to ensure most of the shots come from the outside. But the ability to make a game-changing save is the difference between a normal keeper and an elite one. Cech has been playing at a top-notch level for quite some time now.