Red-tribution
> Liverpool look for revenge over Chelsea to maintain perfect start
LEADERS LIVERPOOL will have to show their resolve this weekend as they look to maintain their perfect start to the Premier League season.
Juergen Klopp’s side travel to third-placed Chelsea, having been beaten at home by the London club in the League Cup yesterday.
Klopp changed his entire back five and two-thirds of his midfield and front line, losing out to a wonder goal from Eden Hazard.
Goalkeeper Alisson and defenders Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joe Gomez and Andy Robertson are all likely to return, as will Mo Salah and Roberto Firmino in attack.
One of those likely to be on the bench at Stamford Bridge, Dejan Lovren, said Liverpool will improve from yesterday’sdisplay.
“Maybe this is like a warm-up for Saturday and so we know what we need to do better,” he told Liverpool’s website.
“On Saturday we have a big game against them and we will improve, definitely. I’m confident that we will do much, much better.”
Chelsea will also make changes, restoring Hazard to the starting line-up, while the likes of Ngolo Kante, Olivier Giroud and Pedro are all set to start.
Victory for Chelsea would see them go above Liverpool but assistant manager Gianfranco Zola says yesterday’s win will not mean much going into Saturday’s clash.
“I don’t think it will have a big impact, to be honest. Of course, we are very pleased and we will go into the game with a good feeling but Saturday is going to be different,” he said.
“To be fair, it was such a close game, they played very well, they could have won, and they had the chances to win it.”
Second-placed Manchester City welcome Brighton to the Etihad Stadium, looking to take advantage should Liverpool slip up at Chelsea.
A much-changed City side coasted to victory over Oxford in the League Cup and midfielder Phil Foden, who scored one of their three goals, could be in contention for a start.
Fourth-placed Watford are away to sixth-placed Arsenal, who are improving all the time under new manager Unai Emery.
Emery could call on Danny Welbeck in attack after the striker, whose contract expires at the end of the season, scored twice in yesterday’s win over Brentford.
“Welbeck is working with commitment and putting in performances like today,” Emery told the Evening Standard.
“He’s helping the team, we want this. We have more options for the first XI when he plays like he did today. For Saturday he’s another player I can try to help in the first XI.”
Tottenham, six points behind Liverpool in fifth, are away to bottom side Huddersfield while seventh-placed Manchester United, who also lost in the League Cup on Wednesday, travel to West Ham.
United wingback Ashley Young said the West Ham match was the ideal opportunity to get straight back to business.
“We have to dust ourselves down now, pick ourselves back up and go again on Saturday,” Young told United’s website.
“This was a disappointing night and we have to get back to winning ways, get back to training and build and work again and work for the weekend.”
Everton host Fulham, Newcastle play Leicester and Wolves take on Southampton tomorrow while Cardiff meet Burnley on Sunday before Crystal Palace travel to Bournemouth on Monday. – dpa