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COMEBACK KID . . . Brazilian defender David Luiz will feature for Chelsea in tonight’s English Premiership soccer match against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge

LONDON. — David Luiz will start for Chelsea against Liverpool in tonight’s explosive English Premiership soccer match, Antonio Conte has confirmed. The match kicks-off at 9pm. The Brazilian defender completed a shock transfer back to Stamford Bridge this summer, arriving in a £34million deal from Paris Saint-Germain.Luiz will replace John Terry in the line-up, with the skipper ruled out after suffering a foot injury in the 2-2 draw with Swansea on Sunday — he is out of action for around 10 days.

Luiz was an unused substitute and remained on the bench during the 2-2 draw with Swansea but an injury to Terry made it almost certain he would play against Liverpool.

Luiz will be making his first appearance since rejoining Chelsea in a more bthan £30m Deadline Day transfer from Paris Saint-Germain.

The 29-year-old Brazilian left Stamford Bridge for France two years ago for £50m, which remains a world record fee for a defender.

Chelsea first purchased Luiz in January 2011 from Benfica for £21m.

In his first three-year stay in west London, Luiz made 143 appearances for Chelsea in all competitions, scoring 12 goals.

And Conte has now revealed he will be in the starting line-up for the clash with Jurgen Klopp’s side.

Discussing Terry’s injury, he said: “He has strained the ligaments in his ankle.

“The doctor told me after 10 days he can come back, he is working very hard and had a training session today to recover.

“Tomorrow (today) David Luiz will play with us for the first time and we are confident.

“When you sign new players, it is normal that they need time to adapt to a new concept and a new idea about football.

“He’s worked a lot in recent days on the defensive situations with the ball when we are in possession.

“I’m confident about his performance (on Friday). He’s a good player and I’m very pleased because I have seen good things from him in the training sessions.”

Fellow new-signing Marcos Alonso is unlikely to play against the Reds, but is available.

“Alonso is ready to play and if there is the necessity he can play,” he said.

He also dismissed suggestions midfielder Cesc Fabregas could be sold in the next transfer window.

The Spain international has been reduced to a substitute’s role so far this season, casting doubt over his future at the club.

But Conte said: “Cesc is in my plans and in Chelsea’s plans.

“We all know Cesc is a fantastic player. I see him in every training session with great seriousness and if he continues in this way it will be very difficult choice for me.

“I want this from my players, to put doubts in my mind. Cesc is a great player, we all know he’s a very technical player, but also I’m starting to know him like a man.”

Chelsea, unbeaten this season, take on a Liverpool side buoyed by an impressive 4-1 win over champions Leicester last weekend.

“I’m expecting a very tough match against a strong team,” added Conte.

“I think Liverpool is a really good team, they play with identity, they can bring many players on in an offensive situation and we must pay great attention tomorrow.”

And the touchline action could be as explosive as what happens on the pitch at Stamford Bridge tonight when Klopp takes his Liverpool side to tackle Conte’s Chelsea.

Both managers are renowned for the remarkable intensity of their touchline antics and the fourth official is likely to have a job on his hands maintaining order in the two technical areas.

Klopp appreciates the similarities, but it is Conte’s achievements with Juventus and Italy, rather than his conduct in front of the dug-outs, that have won him the German’s admiration.

“I don’t know Antonio good enough to know why he is doing it. I know for myself and, as I’ve said a few times, it just happens to me,” Klopp told reporters at Wednesday’s pre-game press conference.

“He looks quite emotional, even when they don’t score. Obviously he is involved in the game, but that’s not the most important thing.

“The very important thing is he is a great manager, something like the ‘Pep Guardiola of Juventus’ if you want.

“He created their special type of play and had a very successful time there and with the national team.

“It is quite impressive what he has done until now, but I don’t play against Antonio Conte.”

After defeat at Burnley and a 1-1 draw at Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool returned to winning ways at the weekend with a clinical 4-1 thrashing of champions Leicester City at the newly expanded Anfield.

Chelsea saw their perfect start to the campaign ended by a 2-2 draw at Swansea City in which they went 1-0 up, fell 2-1 down and then rescued a point through Diego Costa’s acrobatic 81st-minute equaliser.

The way Chelsea let Swansea back into the match suggested the vulnerability that plagued them last season, when they finished 10th, continues to hover below the surface.

But Chelsea winger Victor Moses is convinced that Conte’s off-pitch adjustments have set the club on the right path. — AFP.