Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has made a couple of surprise decisions for his side's match against Liverpool.

One shock is the exclusion of Enzo Fernandez from the Chelsea team. Fernandez, who is the second-most expensive signing in Chelsea's history, has started all but one of the Blues' games in the Premier League this season.

The midfielder was absent for his side's 1-0 win against Bournemouth last month.

With Fernandez dropping down to the bench, Romeo Lavia has come into the team. A more physical and defensive-minded midfielder like Lavia starting was always a possibility, given the opposition. However, Fernandez's omission is still a bit of a shock, while Reece James' inclusion is also a surprise.

Nevertheless, Maresca has still opted to start James at Anfield in a move that former USA international and ESPN pundit Janusz Michallik has labelled as "brave".

Malo Gusto is available, but with Marc Cucurella suspended, it looks like Maresca wants the Frenchman at left-back.

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Reece James risk All in all, it does seem like a huge risk starting James against Liverpool. If the 24-year-old gets injured again and Chelsea go on to lose the match, then Maresca is going to end up looking quite silly.

However, since arriving at Stamford Bridge, the Chelsea manager has got most things right. The Blues have only lost one league game going into their match against Liverpool.

Maresca could have easily left Gusto at right-back and brought Renato Veiga into the team to replace the suspended Cucurella.

But it is quite clear that he really wants James, who is on a PS250,000-a-week contract (via Spotrac) at Chelsea, in his starting XI. It makes sense; James is Chelsea captain and one of the best right-backs in the division when fit. But it is still a huge gamble.

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