LIVERPOOL VS CHELSEA "Forward line Comparison"
Raheem Sterling v Mohamed Salah
With Willian probably rested for Atletico Madrid and with Salah cup-tied, the Egyptian looks favourite to start on the right-hand side for Chelsea.
Salah has been promising in patches with his speed unmatched by even Sterling. He is more accurate with his passes in a Chelsea shirt (84.5% v 80.4%), but makes an average of four passes fewer.
But few players panic defences like the 19-year-old, who has now scored nine and assisted four in the league this season. Sterling makes more dribbles and key passes than Salah, as well as more than double the tackles, exhibiting how Sterling is part of a system more than Salah to be expected given their respective playing time.
Sterling: 9
Salah: 7
Luis Suarez v Andre Schurrle
Nobody compares to Suarez. He's now scored 30 league goals this season, made 12 assists, created 80 chances, dribbled the ball an average of 2.9 times per game, made an average of 2.7 key passes and has been the best player in the Premier League.
Poor Chelsea and poor Andre Schurrle, who will likely be the man on the left-hand side for Chelsea and expected to provide a similar threat. The German has seen his chances limited this season due to Eden Hazard, but has done well in his maiden Premier League season most notably when scoring a hat-trick against Fulham in March.
But while he can aid Chelsea in their quest to go within two points of Liverpool, it will be Suarez who will ultimately have the biggest say of all.
Suarez: 10
Schurrle: 7
Midfield
Daniel Sturridge v Demba Ba
Sturridge takes an average of 3.5 shots per game, far more than Ba's 1.6, albeit Ba's impact has been limited to just 485 league minutes this season. Sturridge is also more accurate with his passing, making an average of 26 per game, as well as one key pass; he's also created 27 chances throughout the season.
Like his fellow attackers, Ba may struggle with the unfamiliarity of potentially playing with two other bit-part players in Salah and Schurrle. Sturridge, meanwhile, should move seamlessly into the Reds attack after missing Norwich. If he, Suarez and Sterling are firing, the Reds could go eight points clear of Chelsea by Sunday evening.
Sturridge: 9
Ba: 7