Gerrard To Return? Predicted Liverpool Starting XI To Face Chelsea

Liverpool will be looking to secure a positive result in the first leg of their Capital One Cup semi final clash with Chelsea at Anfield on Tuesday night. Here is the side I think Brendan Rodgers will select:

Goalkeeper: Rodgers has little option but to stick with Simon Mignolet in goal as Brad Jones is still out with a thigh injury and the Belgian will be hoping to build on a much-improved display against Aston Villa last time out.

Defence: The Reds boss has confirmed that Glen Johnson is back in full training so could come back in to contention but I think we’ll see the Northern Irishman stick with the same back three that has played in recent weeks with Martin Skrtel once again likely to be joined by Mamadou Sakho and Emre Can at the back. Dejan Lovren continues to be out-of-favour while Kolo Toure is away on African Cup of Nations duty.

Midfield: Steven Gerrard missed the 2-0 win over Villa at the weekend with a minor hamstring injury but we should see the skipper return to the starting line-up and partner Lucas Leiva in midfield tomorrow. This could see Jordan Henderson move over to the right-wing with Lazar Markovic unlucky to drop out.

Attack: Raheem Sterling was back in action at the weekend and should keep his place in the attack alongside Philippe Coutinho with the pair likely to once again support Fabio Borini as the Italian should keep his place up front after his goal-scoring display on Saturday. Daniel Sturridge is back training again but this game will come too soon.

Here is how I think we’ll see Liverpool line-up:

Check out our predicted Chelsea line-up

What do you think of the team and what eleven would you pick?