Liverpool vs. Chelsea: 5 keys to the match

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 16: Sadio Mane of Liverpool and Eden Hazard of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on September 16, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 16: Sadio Mane of Liverpool and Eden Hazard of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on September 16, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – JULY 28: Roberto Firmino of Liverpool closes down Cesc Fabregas of Chelsea during the 2016 International Champions Cup match between Chelsea and Liverpool on July 28, 2016, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – JULY 28: Roberto Firmino of Liverpool closes down Cesc Fabregas of Chelsea during the 2016 International Champions Cup match between Chelsea and Liverpool on July 28, 2016, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images) /

Chelsea: Fabregas on the ball

Despite coming off an excellent performance against Hull, it has been a quiet January for Diego Costa’s fellow countryman – and really a relatively quiet season . The Blues enigmatic manager Conte is giving hints about why Fabregas hasn’t seen as much of the field this year. However, if he can replicate the type of performance he gave against the Tigers, he should be included in the starting XI against Liverpool.

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In the last month alone, Fabregas has recorded four assists in the Premier League as Chelsea ran rampant over every foe in their path, and his display of range has proven key in certain situations this year. It is unclear whether his future lies at the London club or elsewhere, but for this particular match he lines up well against the likes of Adam Lallana, and even further up the pitch against Jordan Henderson and Gini Wijnaldum, who are typically set deeper.

As Conte places more and more trust in Fabregas, it will be interesting to see if he makes the cut midweek. However, any time would likely be better than the six minutes he featured for against Liverpool in the September loss.