Chelsea vs Liverpool: Express Sport brings you LIVE Premier League coverage from Stamford Bridge
CHELSEA vs LIVERPOOL
Maurizio Sarri believes “genius” Eden Hazard has the hunger to become the best player in the world.
Chelsea boss Sarri admitted he is demanding “everything” from Hazard, urging the Belgium star to improve by 20 per cent to become the world’s best footballer.
Asked if Hazard has the hunger and attitude to become the world’s best, Sarri replied: “I think so; I think so, but I have to find the right way.
“I think that he is for sure one of the best (players in the world), but I am absolutely convinced that he can improve.
“I think that we have seen only 75, 80 per cent of his potential. So I think that if he’s able to improve he will be the best in the world.
“Hazard is on the pitch every day. I think he can do more in continuity, in intensity – not only in physical intensity, but in the mental intensity.
“So I have to try to improve him because my feeling is he can improve more. So I want to try and improve him.
Virgil van Dijk aggravated a rib problem in the Reds’ 3-0 victory over Southampton last week and has not trained with the first team since, so Dejan Lovren or Joel Matip could start at the back.
Jurgen Klopp said: “Virgil is a world class player, there’s no doubt about that. And if you miss a world class player, it’s always not cool.
“If Virgil is fit and can play, then he will play. But if not, then obviously we have options and that’s really good.
“We could play football before Virgil van Dijk and we can play football without Virgil van Dijk, thank God.”
CHELSEA vs LIVERPOOL
TEAMS
Chelsea: Kepa, Alonso, Azpilicueta, Luiz, Rudiger, Kante, Jorginho, Willian, Hazard, Giroud.
Subs: Caballero, Fabregas, Barkley, Moses, Zappacosta, Cahill, Morata.
Liverpool: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Gomez, Robertson, Henderson, Wijnaldum, Milner, Mane, Salah, Firmino.
Subs: Mignolet, Fabinho, Keita, Sturridge, Moreno, Shaqiri, Matip.
