Conte: David Luiz will make 2nd Chelsea debut vs. Liverpool

Antonio Conte has confirmed David Luiz will start in place of injured captain John Terry against Liverpool on Friday, marking the Brazilian's first start since sensationally re-joining the Blues from Paris Saint-Germain on transfer deadline day.

The enterprising £38-million defender, who only left Chelsea for the Parc des Princes for around £50 million in 2014, was an unused substitute in last Sunday's 2-2 draw at Swansea City, but will now be afforded a chance in light of Terry's ankle ligament issue.

"David Luiz will play for the first time, again. We all know he is a good player and we have been working on his confidence since his return," said Conte.

"We are working to put him in the best position for the team. He has been working on defensive situations when we are in possession of the ball".

Conte's preference for defenders who are assured positionally and thoughtful in possession, made the Italian's swoop for Luiz a surprise for some.

The Diadema native has shown a habit of surging into crowds with the ball and losing out to the opposition, and also seeming to temporarily lose sense of his whereabouts and therefore allowing a striker to capitalise and scamper behind his static frame.

His unique approach to defending, and another late capture in the versatile Marcos Alonso, has prompted many in the game to speculate a change of system at Stamford Bridge. Conte ultimately confirmed this last week, saying a 3-4-3 could be the likely course of action when Luiz is playing.

Leading the line in either system - the current use of a lone forward or the potential 3-4-3 - would likely see the strikeforce spearheaded by Diego Costa, the combative Spaniard who leaves opposition fans spewing profanities, but is highly regarded by both Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp and his current gaffer.

Related: Klopp praises 'world-class' Costa ahead of Chelsea tilt

"Yes, two more yellow cards is a ban but I am not worried about it," Conte insisted, referring to Costa's three yellow cards in the opening four top-flight tilts. "Diego is growing in these situations - in the last game he showed great attitude.

"He is passionate but I want him to put his passion into the football in the right way."

Disciplinary issues aside, Costa already has four goals to his name in the 2016-17 Premier League term.

Following Friday's visit of Liverpool, Chelsea then takes on Leicester City in the League Cup and then has a short trip to London rival Arsenal on Sept. 24.