LIVE: Chelsea v Liverpool Match Thread

Javier Mascherano returns to the Liverpool starting XI against Chelsea this afternoon. Daniel Agger is also back in the squad after a lengthy lay off with a back injury.
 
The Reds XI in full is: Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel, Insua, Riera, Mascherano, Lucas, Kuyt, Gerrard, Torres.

Subs: Cavalieri, Agger, Aurelio, Kyrgiakos, Benayoun, Babel, Ngog.

Good to see Danny back in the squad ,today is as good as any day to get our first clean sheet, here,s hoping ,off down my dad,s now beef diner then the game ,could do with lady luck on our side today and test their goalie early doors.

Obviously Rafa is expecting a tight game and hopes to introduce Yossi when things are slowing down after 60 minutes or so to break them open. Lucas and Masch in for a big one against the strength of the Chelsea midfield.

As much as this is a test for our midfield, our defence must grow a pair today if they are to keep Chelsea at bay. Too much strength and quality for them to fall asleep.

Hoping for a big one here. Bring it home Liverpool!

Here we go then.  Really hope Gerrard can get some space despite Essien's efforts.  I think Lucas pushing forward will be key.

Come on Reds!

Liverpool  , bring it on!

Surprised to see Yossi on the bench.  But what do I know.

Shower then I'm off to watch the game.

Come on Liverpool!

Just a further note, no Voronin. Do we really need two centre backs there?

Expected line-up really, apart from Benayoun perhaps.

Seems Chelsea have altered their team a bit.

Pretty nervous about this, going to be a really tough game. Just hope the lads are up for it!

Surprised to see Yossi on the bench.  But what do I know.

Had the same reaction. The rest of the line-up is essentially the best of the players we have who are fully fit.

That being said, perhaps Rafa is trying to keep an ace up his sleeve in case we need some creativity late in the game, between Yossi and Babel who's been looking sharp off the bench.

Good to see N'Gog replacing Voro on the bench.

Maybe it's the difference in physical attributes between Ivanovic and Benayoun that caused him to select Riera?

Or perhaps Riera played really well last year at Stamford Bridge?

Surprised to see Yossi on the bench but it could be really beneficial.  Good to see Mascher back, and Gerrard back in the hole.   Need to play tight in the midfield and keep it together

Not going to lie:

Deco, Ballack, Essien, Lampard looks pretty frightening on paper, if they are on form.

We have Kuyt, Mascherano, Gerrard, Lucas, Riera however. I just think if Gerrard perhaps drops into the midfield we can really outshine them in midfield. Having said that, we could outshine them without Gerrard.

Really looking forward to it now.

Can someone name the Chelsea complete side?   Having problems finding it

Decent team, surprised to see Yossi out though. Step up Riera, I guess.

Let's just get stuck into them cockney tw*ts.

Winning the midfield battles is the key to this game.

And I hope Nando's got his shooting boots with him.

Can someone name the Chelsea complete side?   Having problems finding it

Hilario, Ivanovic, Terry, Carvalho, Cole, Deco, Ballack, Essien, Lampard, Anelka, Drogba.

Let's murder 'em.

Cech, Ivanovic, Terry, Carvalho, Cole, Deco, Ballack, Essien, Lampard, Anelka, Drogba.

Thought Cech was suspended!

Apologies!

Think it's Hilario in net.

Not going to lie:

Deco, Ballack, Essien, Lampard looks pretty frightening on paper, if they are on form.

We have Kuyt, Mascherano, Gerrard, Lucas, Riera however. I just think if Gerrard perhaps drops into the midfield we can really outshine them in midfield. Having said that, we could outshine them without Gerrard.

Really looking forward to it now.

I'm more scared about their bench TBH. They can pull out a match winner, even in their defence with Belletti. We can only really turn to Yossi with confidence. They have Zhirkov, J.Cole, Kalou, Malouda, Sturridge and Belletti.

Yossi is the key in this game,going to predict 3-2 to the redmen.Bring the points home lads 3 of them.

Nerves are in, when the TV boots up the game, it'll be excitement.  Lets go you Redmen, huge game!