Jose rests players for Reds

Liverpool - Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho made seven changes to his starting line-up for Sunday's pivotal Premier League showdown with leaders Liverpool at Anfield.

Mourinho had threatened to field a weakened team after the first leg of his side's Champions League semi-final against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday, but several of the changes were enforced.

Petr Cech, John Terry, Eden Hazard and Samuel Eto'o are all currently injured, while midfielder Ramires is unavailable due to suspension.

Mark Schwarzer replaced Cech in goal, but the only unfamiliar face in the starting XI was 20-year-old Czech defender Tomas Kalas, who was handed a full debut alongside Branislav Ivanovic at centre-back.

Demba Ba started up front, with Cesar Azpilicueta, Ashley Cole, John Mikel Obi and Frank Lampard the only players to keep their places from the team that drew 0-0 away to Atletico.

Liverpool were able to name Daniel Sturridge on the bench, after he missed last weekend's 3-2 victory at Norwich City due to a hamstring injury.

Brendan Rodgers's side were otherwise unchanged, with midfielder Jordan Henderson once again unavailable through suspension.

Liverpool can eliminate Chelsea from the title race if they beat them, but victory for the visitors would take them to within two points of the summit.

Teams:

Liverpool
Mignolet; Johnson, Skrtel, Sakho, Flanagan; Gerrard, Lucas, Allen; Sterling, Suárez, Coutinho.

Chelsea
Schwarzer; Azpilicueta, Ivanovic, Kalas, Cole; Lampard (c), Mikel, Matic; Salah, Ba, Scurrle