Maresca must start Chelsea's 'worst' player against Benfica who could be Liverpool tormentor

Without Cole Palmer, Enzo Maresca needs to find a creative spark and the sort of balance in the attack that will help Chelsea climb the table.

The Blues currently sit 8th in the Premier League but the congested nature of this season means that it wouldn’t take much to force their way into the Champions League places. Liverpool might be clear at the top of the table, but they have looked far from assured and when their luck ran out against Crystal Palace, it felt like it had only been a matter of time.

Chelsea should start Alejandro Garnacho against Liverpool

The injury and suspension list is one that isn’t doing Maresca any favours but he will be hoping that he can start to see a bit more consistency in his starting XI not that most of the new signings who aren’t on the treatment table are up to speed. In particular, he should be looking to give Alejandro Garnacho a run-out against a team that has been far from secure in defence, especially in the right-back channel that the Argentine winger is so dangerous at attacking. Liverpool have played a different right-back in each of their last six games and it is an area that Galatasaray took advatange of too.

The 21-year old didn’t look at his sharpest against Benfica and was the lowest rated player according to FotMob with a score of just 6.8, however, it was his run and cut-back that led to the own goal. His intent, pace and determination to attack the back post made the difference and there could already be the signs of a promising partnership with Pedro Neto. Chelsea won’t see any fluency in the final third if different players are being picked each week, at some point, Maresca has to make a decision and stick to it.

New look attack for Chelsea against Liverpool?

Speaking on the Son of Chelsea podcast, Daniel Child has been encouraged by what he has seen from Garnacho and has pinpointed who could be perfect to cover Palmer in an attack minded formation: “Also, I think in a positive, Garnacho. I don't think Garnacho was amazing, but I do think he is someone that I'd like to see just maintain his place in the starting line up. That is the same with Estevao. Both of those players for me, I'd like to see start consistently for Chelsea moving forward. You don't have Cole Palmer and we're not quite sure when Palmer is going to be ready to return.

“And whether Estevao is playing as the 10, whether he's playing on the right or the left, I think his trickery, his just bravery on the ball and just the sense that there's a confidence about him that you need currently. And although he is still very young, if you compare him to some players who are actually older than him, who don't look at all ready to be playing football consistently for Chelsea, Estevao needs to be playing and I think he will bring a spark and just an excitement watching Chelsea. I think Garnacho off the ball and his ability to take more shots is, as I said, pre-Benfica is something you want in the team currently.”