CHELSEA (a)

Chelsea v Liverpool, 1.30pm (GMT) ko, Stamford Bridge.

TEAM NEWS:

Chelsea hope to have defender A$hl£y Cole back from the hamstring injury he picked up on England duty. Didier Drogba (knee), Michael Ballack (foot), Joe Cole (foot) and Michael Essien (knee) are all out.

Liverpool have been boosted by the news that Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso have recovered from injuries sustained against Atlético Madrid in midweek. Striker Robbie Keane (pelvis) is a doubt while Spaniard Fernando Torres (hamstring) is definitely out.

HEAD TO HEAD:
Reina 9 - 9 Cech
Golden Gloves has been ever-present and reliable so far and despite Cech's class being undeniable, his world no 1 status has looked shaky following two serious head injuries.
Although superior technically, Cech's form has dipped of late with some errors in the Euros - something not regularly exposed as Chelsea dominate most games.

Aurelio 7.5 - 9 A. Cole
The Brazilian does lack physically at times but is more composed than Dossena on the ball. Cole should return from his hamstring strain but has struggled up against Jermaine Pennant in recent clashes, so Ashley Cole missing out could be a blessing in disguise. Despite his unpopularity among football fans, his pace on the overlap remains a key offensive ploy for both Chelsea and England and he is undoubtedly one of the top left backs around.

Agger 8 - 9 Carvalho
The Great Dane is easing himself back in gradually following a lengthy lay-off and although at fault for Zaki's opener last weekend, demonstrated his technical ability in his mazy run and assist for Kuyt's equaliser. Time will tell if he can be as solid defensively as Skrtel was but gives another dimension to Liverpool when in possession. Carvalho is a wiley operator (i.e. gets away with what Chelsea fans would call gamesmanship, others say is persistent fouling). Allied to the dark arts, his excellent aerial ability, reading of the game and tight marking make him second to few central defenders in the world.

Carra 8.5 - 9 Terry
Mr. Dependable's ability to reform a partnership and understanding with Agger is vital as the transition period since Skrtel's injury at Eastlands has made Liverpool has made more susceptible than ever. More attacking fullbacks and slightly more adventurous tactics has meant our solidity defensively has been sacrificed in order to score more at the other end. Terry has continued his great form this season and will be relieved that Torres' pace will not be on show to expose the only major weakness in his game.

Arbeloa 7.5 - 8 Bosingwa
Many fans have questioned the sale of Finnan but Arbeloa fulfils Finnan's role and offers more offensively than the Irishman. His Portuguese opponent was bought in at great expense but is starting to show why with a series of barnstorming displays down the right flank. One drawback to his offensive prowess means he could be exposed defensively on the break.

Riera 7.5 - 8 Malouda
The ex-Espanyol wingman's arrival was met with a underwhelmed reception among fans but his energetic displays have won some fans over already. Despite not possessing dazzling technical ability nor terrific pace, he brings width and balance to a midfield which was distinctly lacking both. Individually, not exceptional but football is a team game and his arrival has created space and options for Liverpool offensively - a key ingredient in home games against unadventrous opposition but one could question his importance in a tight, technical affair away at a title rival.
For Chelsea, Malouda will be keen to underline why Benítez was so keen to recruit him in 2007 and his pacy dribbling will test Arbeloa.

Mascherano 9 - 8 Mikel
The Argentine's absence through injury and jet-lag has robbed the Reds of their lynchpin and will be a key performer as Liverpool must stem the offensive threat from midfield posed by the likes of Deco and Lampard. He must be at his energetic best, committed in the tackle but calm and disciplined enough to stay out the ref's notebook. Mikel for Chelsea is proving an able successor to Makelele's mastery in the defensive midfield role. His youthful, energetic relish means he may not provide the steady solid screening of the back four that the Frenchman guaranteed but he gives Chelsea another dimension in attacking moves.

Alonso 8 - 9 Deco
Xabi Alonso's much-touted departure never materialised following the breakdown of the Barry deal much to the relief of large sections of the Anfield faithful. Benítez's slightly more adventurous approach has allowed Alonso a more advanced role with Mascherano deeper. But in tough away matches, the focus will be centred on the Basque's tackling and calm retention of possession for the Reds. Meanwhile, the Brazilian-born Portuguese playmaker Deco has added another touch of flair and technical ability to an already impress midfield with the added threat of his wonderful technique on set-pieces.

Gerrard 9.5 - 9 Lampard
Can they play together?? Frankly who cares?! Both men are talismen of their clubs who lead from the front in open play and also at set-pieces. In a word, matchwinners. Gerrard looked short of full fitness in midweek following doubts over niggling muscle injuries whereas Lampard has swept all before him in a recent weeks both domestically and in Europe. The Liverpool midfield must get to grips with him and deny him space and time on the ball.

Pennant 7.5 - 8.5 J. Cole
Pennant's renaissance seemed complete with an impressive display v Wigan last weekend but was back on the bench in midweek. Rather than being dropped could he have been rested? Pennant has struggled for consistency in a red shirt but has always impressed against Chelski and especially former Arsenal colleague Ashley Cole. His opposite number for the Londoners, Joe Cole is now cemented a first-team place - a change from the rotation since Robben and Wright-Phillips' departures. A brace of goals and assists this term underline he is a threat.

Keane 8.5 - 8.5 Anelka
Marathon Man Dirk Diggler has scored 3 key goals: winners v Standard Liege, Man City and Wigan were priceless, he must simply now maintain this form in a more advanced role as injuries have ruled out Keane and Torres in recent matches. Anelka has had a similar task during Drogba's injury lay-off and has equally excelled with 4 strikes in 7 games. He will keen to show Liverpool fans what they missed when Houllier preferred El-Hadji Diouf to the prolific Frenchman.

SUBS
Liverpool: Diego 7, Dossena 7, Hyppia 7.5, Lucas 7, Benayoun 7.5, Keane 8.5, Torres 9.5.
Chelsea: Cudicini 8.5, Bridge 8, Alex 8, Belletti 8, Kalou 8, Sinclair 7, Di Santo 7.

TOTAL
LIVERPOOL 90 (+ up to 25.5 off bench)
CHELSEA 95 (+ up to 24.5 off bench)

Conclusion:

Individually, Chelsea possess better more accomplished players, in wide areas especially. Liverpool's strength lies collectively: Benítez must get his tactics spot-on and players must work hard off-the-ball to deny Chelsea long spells of possession - the key to the home domination. Without Torres and possibly Keane, Liverpool do seem to lack cutting edge and another important asset - pace. I would, fitness permitting, opt for Babel ahead of Riera, who was one of many men who looked tired in Madrid on Wednesday night. If the game is in stalemate in the second-half, both sides possess options off the bench that could break the deadlock. Liverpool lacked bite and edge in the Vicente Calderon midweek - a hangover of draining comebacks and international trips or players concentrating on the bread and butter of this Premiership clash. I sincerely hope the latter. I would never forecast a win here but a point will do just fine.

Game on please!