Liverpool line-ups for Chelsea as Darwin Nunez and Curtis Jones decisions made

Our writers pick their teams for Liverpool's clash with Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday

Liverpool line-ups for Chelsea as Darwin Nunez and Curtis Jones decisions made

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Liverpool return to action in the Premier League on Sunday. Chelsea are the visitors to Anfield, as the Reds look to build on their strong start to the season.

Arne Slot's side beat Crystal Palace 1-0 on the road before the international break. Chelsea, who are sixth heading into the clash on Merseyside, were held to a 1-1 draw by Nottingham Forest at home.

Ahead of the game, our writers Paul Gorst and Ian Doyle have picked their preferred XIs for what is always a highly-charged encounter.

Paul Gorst

A lot will depend today on just how fit Alexis Mac Allister is. The Argentina international has certainly sent mixed messages in recent days having been brought off at half time of the 1-0 win over Crystal Palace before the international break.

Having flown to Miami to join up with his international team-mates and the sitting out the first game, Mac Allister then played 66 minutes against Bolivia but missed Friday's training session at the AXA Centre with the rest of his colleagues, working towards his own programme inside the gym.

As I am an optimistic soul, I will believe that was merely precautionary and backing the No.10 to make the cut for today. So he starts alongside the in-form Ryan Gravenberch. Caoimhin Kelleher deputises for Alisson Becker as Andy Robertson steps in for Kostas Tsimikas at left-back.

Up top, Luis Diaz returns in place of Cody Gakpo but I am resisting the urge to start Darwin Nunez in favour of Diogo Jota.

My team: Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Salah, Szoboszlai, Diaz; Jota.

Ian Doyle

The return of the Premier League and the start of another busy run of fixtures for Liverpool.

And with concern over the fitness of several players, a few key decisions for Arne Slot against Chelsea.

What, then, is the Reds boss to do?

Caoimhin Kelleher comes in as goalkeeper with Alisson Becker out, and Andy Robertson can replace Kostas Tsimikas at left-back. The backline otherwise remains the same, with skipper Virgil van Dijk partnered by Ibrahima Konate and Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back.

In midfield, there's no point risking Alexis Mac Allister. So Curtis Jones stays in alongside Ryan Gravenberch as the deeper duo, with Dominik Szoboszlai back in as the number 10.

Up top, Mohamed Salah stays on the right but there are some changes elsewhere. Darwin Nunez can feature down the middle with Luis Diaz returning on the left.

My team: Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Jones; Salah, Szoboszlai, Diaz; Nunez.

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