Chelsea vs. Liverpool: Predicting the Reds' Starting XI

Sunday's clash at Stamford Bridge will be a crucial match for Liverpool and for Chelsea, as both sides look to move up in the ranks.

Chelsea, in fourth and still coming off of frustrating losses to Queens Park Rangers and Arsenal (and a subsequent win over Blackburn Rovers), will be hungry to reassert themselves for title contention after an initial run of great football.

Liverpool, in sixth and three points behind their weekend adversaries in the table, are aiming to put themselves in contention for what will likely be a tight race for the top four, as Tottenham Hotspur continues to show good form, Newcastle United sit in third as the surprising sleeper hits and Arsenal, tied for points and sitting behind the Reds in seventh, is resurgent with four straight wins.

Last year, Liverpool defeated Chelsea home and away, although ironically, in both cases, the match-winning goals came from players who are now at Chelsea—Fernando Torres and Raul Meireles, respectively.

In order to break the low-scoring draw trend that has pervaded most of Liverpool's recent matches, Kenny Dalglish will need to choose his attack wisely, especially as Chelsea's defense has struggled in recent matches.

That being said, let's look at who he probably will choose, assuming no further injuries, Suárez is well enough to play and Kenny Dalglish opts for the 4-4-2: 

Goalkeeper and Back Four: Pepe Reina, Glen Johnson, Martin Skrtel, Daniel Agger, José Enrique

Dalglish will probably go with the standard back four he's been using for the past several matches. For better or for worse, Glen Johnson has been Dalglish's first choice at right back since his recovery from injury and return from the bench. He hasn't really wowed on his return and plenty of fans I'm sure would rather see Martin Kelly in his stead.

In Johnson's defense, the Reds have only allowed one goal since he's started again. But to prove his critics' point, two of those teams were Swansea and West Brom and that one opposition goal came from Johnson and Jamie Carragher not being able to get where they needed to be in time. 

Midfielders: Dirk Kuyt, Lucas Leiva, Charlie Adam, Stewart Downing 

Steven Gerrard is out with an injury, but most of the usual suspects will probably get the start. Charlie Adam will be an important figure to the attacking game—he leads the team and is among the top in the league in assists so far this season, so they'll need him to make those key connections.

With Stevie G. gone, Jordan Henderson still needing more time to develop and given Dirk Kuyt's tireless work ethic, willingness to work and Dalglish's previous reliance on him in the "big matches," the Dutchman could very well be started on the wing.  

Strikers: Luis Suárez and Andy Carroll

This is assuming Suárez is fit enough to play this weekend after a nagging back injury, although he is expected to make a return. If he's able to play, it's a no-brainer.

The Carroll situation, while still frustrating, isn't quite as dire as it was at this point a month ago. He's managed to land a couple of goals, including one two weeks ago against West Brom, but his attitude and work ethic pale in comparison to some of his teammates who are spending most of their time on the bench.

That being said, he's still managed to finish more in league competition than the other possible strikers, so Carroll it is. 

Subs: Martin Kelly, Jay Spearing, Maxi Rodriguez, Doni, Craig Bellamy, Sebastián Coates, Jordan Henderson

Alternate Version

Another option worth considering would be something more attack-heavy, a 4-3-3, or, with two potential effective wide men and Suárez up front, a 4-2-3-1, a formation that worked well against Chelsea last season.

While we're going with wishful thinking, this would involve most of the same personnel on defense, but perhaps with Martin Kelly at right-back instead of Johnson—he gave a great performance against Manchester United in the Reds' toughest match so far this season. 

Kuyt may not be the best finisher at the moment, but he has loads of work ethic and loves the big game. Put him and Bellamy behind Suárez in the attack with Downing to cover wide and, failing this formation working, put Carroll in toward the end of the match as an impact sub. 

Recap

Prediction (4-4-2): Reina; Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, José Enrique; Kuyt, Lucas, Adam, Downing; Suárez, Carroll

Alternate (4-2-3-1): Reina; Kelly, Skrtel, Agger, José Enrique; Lucas, Adam; Kuyt, Bellamy, Downing; Suárez