Chelsea face their first major test of the new Premier League season on Sunday when they welcome champions and rivals Liverpool to Stamford Bridge.

The big-spending Blues made a winning start to the campaign with a 3-1 triumph over Brighton & Hove Albion at the Amex on Monday night, although their performance was still below what many expected.

An improvement will likely be needed if they are to get one over on Liverpool, despite the visitors being unconvincing themselves in their 4-3 victory over Leeds United on the opening day.

Here, Sports Mole looks at how Frank Lampard could set his side out for the contest.

Out: Hakim Ziyech (knee), Ben Chilwell (ankle), Thiago Silva (fitness), Christian Pulisic (hamstring), Billy Gilmour (knee), Marco van Ginkel (knee)
Doubtful: Timo Werner (thigh), Jorginho (thigh)

> Click here for Chelsea's latest injury and suspension news ahead of this match

Chelsea are still without three of their big-name new arrivals for this match, with Liverpool's visit coming just too soon for Hakim Ziyech, Ben Chilwell and Thiago Silva to make their debuts.

There were also concerns over Timo Werner after he was seen with an ice pack strapped to his thigh after Monday's win over Brighton, but the summer signing quickly dismissed fears regarding his fitness and he is expected to lead the line against the team he nearly joined instead of Chelsea.

Kai Havertz also made his debut against the Seagulls and, while his bow in English football was more underwhelming than Werner's, he is also expected to keep his place in the team for this one.

Christian Pulisic caused plenty of problems for Liverpool's defence the last time these two sides met, but he is also sidelined through injury for this match.

Lampard is boosted by the return of Mateo Kovacic from suspension, though, and the midfielder could come straight back into the starting XI in place of Jorginho despite the latter's goal on the opening weekend.

Reece James and Kurt Zouma also got their names on the scoresheet at the Amex and both will hope that is enough to keep their spots despite Antonio Rudiger and Cesar Azpilicueta waiting in the wings.

The latter's defensive prowess could see him start on the left in place of Marcos Alonso as Chelsea attempt to quell the danger of former player Mohamed Salah, who scored a hat-trick on the opening day.

Salah is certainly not shy when it comes to having a pop at goal, though, and that does not bode well for Chelsea given that Kepa Arrizabalaga has conceded nine goals from the last 13 shots on target he has faced in the Premier League.

The Brighton strike on Monday was the 19th he has let in from outside the area since arriving at the club too - more than any other goalkeeper in the same period.

Expected replacement Edouard Mendy is unlikely to feature even if he joins in time, leaving Lampard to hope that his public display of faith in Kepa is rewarded against one of the most potent attacks in world football.

> Click here to see how Liverpool could line up for this contest

Written by
Barney Corkhill