Chelsea's supposed weakened team to face Liverpool at Anfield showed seven changes from the midweek goalless draw at Atletico Madrid, but still included the experience of Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole and Branislav Ivanovic.
Injury denied Jose Mourinho the services of goalkeeper Petr Cech and John Terry, while suspension ruled out Ramires, but the Portuguese opted to leave out central defender Gary Cahill and gave Tomas Kalas his Premier League debut after two previous substitute appearances in other competitions lasting a minute apiece.
Liverpool named the same side which beat Norwich 3-2 last Sunday, but striker Daniel Sturridge returned to the bench after missing that match with a hamstring injury.
Liverpool: Mignolet, Johnson, Skrtel, Sakho, Flanagan, Lucas,
Gerrard, Allen, Sterling, Suarez, Coutinho. Subs: Brad Jones,
Toure, Agger, Alberto, Aspas, Sturridge, Cissokho.
Chelsea: Schwarzer, Azpilicueta, Ivanovic, Kalas, Cole, Matic,
Mikel, Lampard, Salah, Ba, Schurrle. Subs: Torres, van Ginkel,
Willian, Cahill, Ake, Hilario, Baker.
