Team news and predicted starting lineup to face Chelsea

Liverpool face Chelsea in the UEFA Super Cup final this evening and could secure their first piece of silverware after their Charity Shield defeat to Manchester City.

The Reds opened their Premier League campaign in style at the weekend, comfortably beating Norwich City 4-1 at Anfield on Friday.

Jurgen Klopp will be disappointed with the way his side defended, allowing the Canaries far too much time on the ball in the middle of the park and allowed them to get in behind on numerous occasions.

Many fans and pundits view the UEFA Super Cup as a glorified friendly and in many ways they make a good point.

But beating Chelsea tonight in Istanbul, the setting of their miraculous comeback against AC Milan in 2005, would give the players a great morale boost.

Jurgen Klopp needs to keep faith the backline that started against Norwich even if Joel Matip deserves to start ahead of Joe Gomez after how he performed last season and in pre-season.

Of course, with Alisson out injured with a calf issue, Adrian will make his full debut but it’s imperative that Fabinho starts in front of a back four featuring Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joe Gomez, Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson.

Alongside Fabinho, Jordan Henderson must retain his place in the side but Georginio Wijnaldum needs to make way for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Naby Keita would be the preferred pick but he was seen limping out of training on Tuesday evening as the Reds trained at the Vodafone Arena in Istanbul.

Upfront, Klopp needs to drop Divock Origi despite the Belgian’s impressive display against Norwich and Sadio Mane should be given his first start of the season.

The Senegalese is essentially still in pre-season and would benefit from being handed a start against Chelsea.

Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah were both superb at Anfield on Friday and will undoubtedly start against Chelsea.

Starting XI: Adrian, Trent, Gomez, van Dijk, Robertson, Fabinho, Henderson, Chamberlain, Salah, Firmino, Mane.

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Source: anfieldhq.com