FRANK LAMPARD may be tempted to hand veteran defender Thiago Silva his Chelsea debut for Sunday’s clash against Liverpool.
The Blues boss has a number of injury concerns as he tries to cement his new-look side’s title credentials during the Stamford Bridge opener.
Hakim Ziyech is among the players confirmed absent with the Moroccan international still ruled out with a troublesome knee issue.
Fellow new recruit Ben Chilwell trained with his Chelsea team-mates for the first time this week as he steps up his recovery from a foot injury.
Yet the visit of Jurgen Klopp’s side is expected to come too soon for the England defender, who last played for Leicester back in July.
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Lampard could tempted to stick with the same formation as how his side lined-up in the 3-1 win over Brighton.
Mateo Kovacic is set to return in place of Jorginho after serving his suspension, despite the latter’s goal from the spot against the Seagulls.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek meanwhile struggled at the Amex and was replaced after the hour by Ross Barkley.
The former Everton man impressed in his short cameo and could retain his spot against rivals Liverpool, who he netted against in the FA Cup in March.
Christian Pulisic, who is unlikely to start after suffering a setback in his recovery from a hamstring injury, could look to cause an impact from the bench as he did in the 5-3 defeat to the Reds this summer.
Lampard though has a habit of using the 3-4-3 formation in the big matches during his short Chelsea managerial career.
That tactic will give his side extra protection in the back against Liverpool’s feared attack while aiding the Blues transition to break on the counter.
The formation may tempt him in handing former Paris Saint-Germain captain Silva his debut in the middle of a back three.
The veteran Brazilian trained for the first time this week after his extended break following his Champions League exploits with his old side.
And a back three would erase concerns about the 35-year-old’s pace with Reece James and Marcos Alonso operating as wing-backs.
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