UEFA Super Cup: Reds to enjoy their return to Istanbul

IT'S an all-Premier League tie as Liverpool take on Chelsea in the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday night from Istanbul. Debutant WLB contributor Chris Clark (@ChrisClark1975) shares his verdict.

Liverpool v Chelsea | Wednesday 14th August 2019, 20:00 | BT Sport

Football is certainly a funny old game; Liverpool didn't play particularly well at the weekend and won 4-1, Chelsea didn't play particularly badly but lost 4-0.

It will be interesting to see how seriously both these sides take the UEFA Super Cup in Istanbul. It's a highly coveted trophy across Europe, but I feel that both Liverpool and Chelsea won't be too concerned if they win or lose on Wednesday, and the pair will have one eye on Premier League points this weekend.

Chelsea were without N'Golo Kante on Sunday, and I cannot see the Frenchman being risked by Frank Lampard against Liverpool, likewise Willian. The Blues have a tricky match against Leicester on Sunday, and after the Man Utd result, the capital club will be desperate for maximum points.

The lack of Kante, will give Chelsea a soft centre, and not much protection to a centre-back partnership that looked very ropey at Old Trafford. In that vain, I cannot see Antonio Rudiger being rushed back for this tie either. I fully expect Liverpool's front three – whoever is selected – to have plenty of space and opportunities.

On the reverse side, the injury to Allison is a huge blow to the Reds and could will definitely affect their pursuit of Manchester City at the top of the table. You cannot afford to drop points at any stage in the Premier League these days, and Allison's replacement, Adrian, is not good enough for a club of Liverpool's stature.

West Ham fans will tell you, Adrian is a good shot-stopper but he has an error in him every game. That should give opposing sides more hope of breaking down that previously impregnable Liverpool defence. The Merseysiders looked more open against Norwich on Friday night than at anytime last season and so I'm happy to bolster the price on a Liverpool victory by throwing in Both Teams To Score at 2/1 (Ladbrokes).