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In the biggest game of the weekend in Europe's top five leagues, Premier League title contenders Liverpool and Chelsea will square off at Anfield on Saturday.
Both clubs have won their opening two league games of the season, are yet to concede a goal. Liverpool and Chelsea have both tasted success in the Premier League and Champions League recently, making this fixture one of the most riveting ones in the English top flight.
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The two teams have played some classic games in the Premier League, over the years, including a 5-3 win for Liverpool in the 2019-20 campaign. On that note, here's a look at five players from either team to watch out for in their latest clash on Saturday:
#5 Reece James | Chelsea
Chelsea have a very well balanced squad at the moment. One of the players who has impressed in the defensive third is wing-back Reece James. The English defender has been great going forward, and also adds to Chelsea's attacking threat.
The Chelsea academy product has the right skillset to make it big as a modern-day wing-back. He is blessed with pace, has a muscular frame, and his awareness of the space around him makes him a tricky opponent to face.
However, Liverpool's front three often changes positions, and the duo of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane look in good touch at the moment. So apart from their attacking threat, James will have to be on high alert in the defensive third as well.
#4 Diogo Jota | Liverpool
Diogo Jota has picked up where he left of last season, getting off to a great start to his 2021-22 campaign. He has been in the starting XI in both of Liverpool's games this season, finding the back of the net in both outings.
Jota's knack for scoring goals has seen him getting selected ahead of the versatile Roberto Firmino, and the Portuguese has fared well thus far. Jota’s rate of a goal every 127 minutes is the second-best by any Liverpool player with at least 30 appearances.
Though Salah and Mane are the two players who can change the outcome of games in an instant, Jota's threat should not be taken lightly by Chelsea.
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#3 Sadio Mane | Liverpool
When Liverpool's Sadio Mane is on the pitch, he is always up and running to get the ball into the final third. His pace and eye for goal make him a very dangerous player, even on a bad day, as he needs just one opening to punish the defenders.
Though last season was disappointing by his staggering standards, Mane still managed 11 goals and picked up seven assists. This season, he has gotten off the mark early, netting Liverpool's second goal against Burnley in their season opener.
He will most likely be involved in duels with Reece James and the experienced Cesar Azpilicueta of Chelsea on Saturday, which could decide the outcome of the game.
#2 Romelu Lukaku | Chelsea
Romelu Lukaku has established himself as one of the best strikers of this generation. His strength, finishing prowess and ability to run at defenders with the ball at his feet make him a very dangerous player in the final third. He is also very good at linking up with his supporting attackers and midfielders.
Just 15 minutes into his second stint with Chelsea, the Belgian striker got his first goal of the campaign. He had a great game against Arsenal, recording eight shots, winning four aerial duels and also maintaining a 95% pass completion rate, which is something quite unusual for a striker.
Hands down, he will be the biggest attacking threat for Chelsea against Liverpool, and his duel against Virgil Van Dijk should make for an interesting watch.
#1 Mohamed Salah | Liverpool
Mohamed Salah has been very consistent since joining Liverpool in the summer of 2017; his £37 million fee looks like an absolute bargain now. He finished second in the goal-scoring charts, just one behind Golden Boot winner Harry Kane last season, and has resumed his goalscoring exploits this season as well.
In the opening fixture against Norwich, Salah was involved in all three Liverpool goals, setting up the first two and scoring the third.
If Chelsea want to keep their 100% start and clean sheet record intact, they will need to keep the fleet-footed Egyptian winger in check.
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