Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool have returned to normality in 2017. Failing to win a Premier League match to date, Liverpool have fallen from Chelsea’s main challengers for the title to the competitive top four contest. This has been attributed to the absences of Joel Matip and Sadio Mane, two summer signings who have been the cornerstones of the Reds’ successes this season.

Now, when Liverpool probably could not think of a more unpleasant fixture, they face a Chelsea side who have failed to win only two matches since they last came up against Liverpool. Liverpool won on that occasion, in fact, they dominated Chelsea for periods of the game and Antonio Conte was under severe pressure. How things change.

Chelsea are the clear favourites for the Premier League title and look balanced throughout the squad. Injuries have been rare, suspensions well-timed and the big trophy looks to be heading to West London. Liverpool must pick up at least a point against the Blues if they are to challenge this season, here are THREE things Klopp should do to make that a reality…

Challenge Diego

He might have been angelic for the majority of this season (yes, yes angelic is pushing it) but there is still a snarling villain in Diego Costa. Liverpool’s best chance of keeping him away from their goal might just be to wind him up.

The risk is, of course, that he does not take the bait and it serves as additional motivation for Chelsea’s top scorer. Should that happen, it's hard to see past the Blues winning the match comfortably. However, the stresses of the saga over the last couple of weeks will undoubtedly have taken some toll on Costa, he might just start the match that bit closer to the red mist.

Mirror Spurs

Tottenham are the only team to have had league success against Chelsea since their change in system. That success was based on the ability of Spurs’ midfield to stifle any passes from N’Golo Kante and Nemanja Matic. Spurs bullied them physically, which allowed them to dominate the centre of the pitch.

As a result, the ball was not getting to Eden Hazard in between the defence and midfield and Chelsea looked short of creativity. Liverpool will start three central midfielders and they must hound Matic and Kante in possession. Chelsea’s midfield pairing have been superb this season, but Spurs proved that they can be got at.

Aerial Woes

As good a defender as Cesar Azpilicueta is – and he’s one of the best – the Spaniard can be isolated aerially as a right-sided central defender. This was exposed by Dele Alli and it is a method that other teams should look to focus on from open play. While Liverpool do not have any players capable of truly dominating aerially, there is no reason they should not target Azpilicueta in the air, even if it means Roberto Firmino being the target.

James Milner is an adept crosser to deliver balls to the back post, as is Adam Lallana, so is a tactic that Klopp should, at the very least, consider.