Jurgen Klopp told to revert to favoured starting XI for Chelsea clash

Liverpool legend Jan Molby believes Jurgen Klopp will revert to his first choice XI for the clash against Chelsea on Friday (16 September), which will see Philippe Coutinho and Dejan Lovren return to the starting lineup. The duo missed the Reds' clash against Leicester City last weekend, which they won 4-1 at Anfield.

The Brazilian started on the bench for the game against the Foxes after the manager chose not to risk him as he arrived late following his commitments with Brazil during the international break. He came on as a second-half substitute and played the final 14 minutes of what was a dominating performance from the Merseyside club.

The Croatia international, on the other hand, had to pull out of the squad after he suffered an eye injury during training. He was replaced by Lucas Leiva, who put in an impressive performance, apart from his one mistake that handed Leicester their only goal of the game. The Brazilian defender will make way for Lovren, who returned to training this week.

The return of Coutinho to the starting XI will also likely see Daniel Sturridge drop to the bench, as Klopp will favour a frontline of Roberto Firmino, Divock Origi and Sadio Mane. The latter will be given the nod over the England international owing to his current form and his pace advantage, which will be helpful against Chelsea, whose backline aren't the quickest.

"There's some debate over what team Klopp opts for at Stamford Bridge, but I think we're close to the stage where his first-choice 11 is obvious. That means Dejan Lovren coming back in, that means Roberto Firmino as a false no.9 and Philippe Coutinho returning, that means Daniel Sturridge on the bench," Molby wrote in his column for the Liverpool Echo.

"Obviously the manager is going to rotate and adapt his team depending on the opposition but against the top teams, this is what he wants to see.

"The idea is for Joel Matip and Lovren to strike up an understanding, and I still rate Lucas more as a midfield player. I can see Firmino moving up top, Coutinho dropped in on that left-hand side, and Sturridge dropping to the bench," he explained.

"It isn't about who or who isn't playing well, it's about which team is best equipped to beat Chelsea. I tell you what, though. Firmino is doing really, really well at the moment. And I have a feeling he might give Sadio Mane a start... but that's just a hunch!"