Premier League
Oct 31, 2015 12.45pm
1
3
HT : 1 1
FT
  • Ramires 4' goal
  • John Obi Mikel 66' yellowcard
  • yellowcard Philippe Coutinho 24'
  • goal Philippe Coutinho 45'
  • yellowcard Lucas Leiva 58'
  • yellowcard Emre Can 65'
  • goal Philippe Coutinho 74'
  • goal Christian Benteke 83'
  • yellowcard Christian Benteke 86'

Team News: Diego Costa in for Chelsea, Liverpool's Christian Benteke benched for clash

Costa in, Benteke benched for crucial clash

Chelsea striker Diego Costa has been included in this afternoon's starting lineup against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge, despite having hospital treatment on a rib injury that he suffered in midweek.

Manager Jose Mourinho, whose future with Chelsea has been questioned following five Premier League defeats, has decided to relegate Nemanja Matic and Cesc Fabregas to the bench.

John Obi Mikel and Ramires have been preferred in the middle of the park, while Gary Cahill and captain John Terry will marshall the defence.

Willian, Oscar and Eden Hazard will provide attacking threat behind Costa, but there is no place in the squad for Pedro, who is suffering with a knock.

For Liverpool, manager Jurgen Klopp has opted against throwing striker Christian Benteke into the first XI following a brief spell out with a knee problem, meaning that Roberto Firmino will lead the line.

Martin Skrtel and Mamadou Sakho will partner at the back, with Lucas Leiva, Emre Can and James Milner in midfield.

Adam Lallana and Philippe Coutinho have joined the Reds' attacking element, while Divock Origi has not travelled with the squad despite featuring in all four of Klopp's games.

Chelsea: Begovic; Zouma, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Mikel, Ramires; Willian, Oscar, Hazard; Costa Subs: Amelia, Baba, Matic, Fabregas, Kenedy, Falcao, Remy

Liverpool: Mignolet; Clyne, Skrtel, Sakho, Moreno; Lucas, Can, Milner; Lallana, Coutinho; Firmino Subs: Bogdan, Lovren, Benteke, Allen, Ibe, Teixeira, Randall

Find out what what the Sports Mole team had to say about the match ahead of kickoff:

Follow Sports Mole's live text coverage of today's game here.

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