Team News: Daniel Sturridge on Liverpool bench for crunch game against former club Chelsea

Brendan Rodgers has left Daniel Sturridge out of his Liverpool starting XI for this afternoon's crucial Premier League match at Anfield against fellow title hopefuls Chelsea.

Manager Rodgers goes with the same lineup that edged past Norwich City last weekend, with Sturridge only good enough for the bench against his former club, as Liverpool go in search of their 12th consecutive win and an eight-point lead at the top of the table.

For visitors Chelsea, manager Jose Mourinho selects 20-year-old Czech Tomas Kalas for his first Premier League appearance at centre-back, with Gary Cahill and John Terry both missing from the starting lineup.

Cahill drops to the bench, while Terry is missing altogether after picking up an injury during Tuesday's Champions League semi-final against Atletico Madrid.

Mark Schwarzer continues in goal with Petr Cech out injured while, Demba Ba leads the attack with Fernando Torres on the bench and Samuel Eto'o not in the squad.

Liverpool: Mignolet; Johnson, Skrtel, Sakho, Flanagan, Gerrard, Allen, Lucas; Coutinho, Sterling; Suarez Subs: Jones, Toure, Agger, Cissokho, Alberto, Aspas, Sturridge

Chelsea: Schwarzer; Azpilicueta, Kalas, Ivanovic, Cole; Matic, Mikel, Lampard; Salah, Ba, Schurrle Subs: Hilario, Ake, Cahill, Van Ginkel, Baker, Willian, Torres

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