Liverpool vs. Chelsea: 5 keys to the match

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LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 16: Diego Costa of Chelsea (19) scores their first goal during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on September 16, 2016, in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /

Chelsea: Diego Costa, return of the bully

Like in the September meeting between the two sides, the best route for Chelsea’s attack will run through the vein of Diego Costa. Defensively, Liverpool still has questions amid Joel Matip’s struggle for fitness and the shakiness of the Dejan Lovren/Ragnar Klavan partnership. With fullback Nathaniel Clyne also coming in and out of the squad due to a rib injury, the Spaniard would be right to use his physicality to frustrate the Reds’ defense on this occasion.

Costa is a brute, but his goal against Liverpool a few months ago showed his clever ability to seemingly always be in the right place at the right time. Toe-poking home to pull one back that night, the Blues’ No.19 can switch from strength to finesse at the drop of a hat and is arguably the most dangerous forward in the Premier League on form, ahead of even the likes of Sergio Aguero or Harry Kane in their respective systems.

With the striker’s transfer row now settled, at least for the time being, Chelsea is given the opportunity for revenge at Anfield at the end of the month and Diego Costa will again rightfully be at the heart of the action.

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