Tuchel makes two changes as 23-year-old player returns, Lukaku decision made: Chelsea predicted XI vs Liverpool

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All eyes are on Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel to see the team he selects to face Liverpool today in the League Cup final.

Chelsea face off against rivals Liverpool on Sunday afternoon in the final of the Carabao Cup, which is a chance for either side to get a domestic trophy in the bank this season.

The Blues have a fully fit squad, aside from injured defender Ben Chilwell, at their disposal on the weekend.

Here The Chelsea Chronicle has predicted the starting XI that will take to the field against Liverpool in a 3-4-2-1 formation. This includes two changes from the side that started the 2-0 Champions League win against Lille on Tuesday night.

For certain, this is the toughest instalment of this prediction segment for a long time given all the selection headaches facing Tuchel.

One huge change in Chelsea defence

Yes, we reckon one of the two changes to the team will be in-between the sticks.

Tuchel refused in his pre-match press conference to give an insight into which goalkeeper will start at the weekend, but Kepa Arrizabalaga could come into the team to replace Edouard Mendy.

Kepa’s brilliant displays in every League Cup match this season surely gives him the gloves for the weekend, as well as the fact his form has been great when given the chance. Mendy did start in the Club World Cup in similar circumstances, though.

Elsewhere, it’s an unchanged back three that could line up with the colossus task of trying to keep Liverpool’s forward line quiet.

Andreas Christensen, Thiago Silva and Antonio Rudiger are the impressive centre-backs most likely to start again.

Unchanged Blues midfield

We are predicting Chelsea to stick with the same two wing-backs and same two central midfielders for Sunday, but the options are there to mix it up.

Spanish duo Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso retain their spot on the wings, while impressive pairing N’Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic continue in the centre of the park.

First of all, Reece James is now back in contention after sitting out injured since December. Tuchel’s said he could end up making the “crazy” decision to throw him straight back into the XI during a cup final, but that seems unlikely.

The other key decision in midfield involves Jorginho. The Italian rested against Lille and should be fresh to go, but the Kante-Kovacic combination is surely too dominant to overlook.

One attacking swap

Hakim Ziyech, who’s looked great lately, will surely start in a creative role off the right.

The other inverted wide role was filled successfully by Christian Pulisic against Lille, scoring the second in the European contest. However, Chelsea’s common go-to man Mason Mount has to be pushing for a recall. The 23-year-old’s available again and has the tools to hurt Liverpool.

Finally, a big decision has to come over whether or not Romelu Lukaku starts.

Tuchel may feel a duty to start £97.5million striker Lukaku, but you can’t take out Kai Havertz out of the central forward role after his latest contribution. Also, the latter’s a big-game player that’s done it in finals for Chelsea before.

Predicted line-up

Kepa

Christensen Silva Rudiger

Azpilicueta Kante Kovacic Alonso

Ziyech Havertz Mount

IN: Kepa Arrizabalaga, Mason Mount

OUT: Edouard Mendy, Christian Pulisic

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