Key duo fit as Lampard makes 3 changes | Expected Chelsea line-up vs Liverpool

Chelsea take on Premier League leaders Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon. Here is the team we expect Frank Lampard to select for the game:

Goalkeeper: I don’t think there is any point deliberating for too long over who’ll start in goal as Kepa Arrizabalaga will retain the gloves with Willy Caballero once again on the bench.

Defence: Antonio Rudiger missed the Champions League defeat to Valencia on Tuesday night after aggravating a groin injury against Wolves last weekend and the German defender isn’t expected to be fit to face Liverpool.

Lampard has played with a back three recently and could stick with that system against a dangerous Liverpool side. That means Andreas Christensen will once again start alongside Kurt Zouma and youngster Fikayo Tomori at the back.

Reece James is close to making his first team comeback for Chelsea but this game is likely to come too soon so Cesar Azpilicueta should continue on the right. Chelsea have been handed a boost ahead of the game as Emerson is back in contention after recovering from a hamstring injury that he sustained earlier this month so he could replace Marcos Alonso on the left.

Midfield: Chelsea have been handed a huge boost as N’Golo Kante is back in full training after recovering from an ankle injury that’s hampered him for a number of weeks. The Frenchman may be lacking in match practice after sitting out the last four games but Lampard will be desperate to have him available so will no doubt give Kante every chance to prove his fitness.

I think Kante will be risked so Mateo Kovacic is the man set to drop out as Jorginho will keep his place in the middle of the park. Ross Barkley will have to make do with a place on the bench but Ruben Loftus-Cheek remains out with a long-term Achilles injury.

Attack: Mason Mount is facing a late fitness test after being forced off with an ankle injury in midweek following a poor tackle from former Arsenal midfielder Francis Coquelin. Lampard says he won’t take any unnecessary risks but I suspect we’ll see Mason starting against Liverpool on Sunday.

Tammy Abraham should continue to lead the line up front and he’ll be looking to build on his hat-trick against Wolves last weekend so Olivier Giroud will have to settle for a place among the Chelsea substitutes.

Christian Pulisic is pushing for a recall but I think the USA international may have to settle for a place on the bench with Pedro the man to come in for Willian in attack. Callum Hudson-Odoi is close to making his return from injury but the visit of Liverpool is likely to come too soon.

Here is how we think Chelsea will line-up:

Check out the expected Liverpool line-up here