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Liverpool head into their Premier League clash against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge with plenty of questions hanging over their squad. Arne Slot’s team is juggling injuries and fitness doubts, while Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has his own problems with a lengthy absentee list. The stage is set for a high-stakes game between two clubs desperate to keep pace at the top end of the table.
Chiesa and Ekitike Fitness Race
One of the big talking points is the status of Liverpool forwards Federico Chiesa and Hugo Ekitike. Neither is guaranteed to feature against Chelsea, though both are pushing to be involved.
Chiesa sat out the midweek trip to Istanbul for the Champions League defeat to Galatasaray because of a minor fitness complaint. Ekitike did start in that match but was forced off in the 68th minute, sparking concerns over his condition.
Arne Slot offered an update in his pre-match press conference on Friday morning:
“Hugo is going to train today again and let’s see where he is, and the same can be said for Federico. We have to wait and see after the session where exactly they are.”
For Liverpool fans, this update leaves things on a knife-edge. Chiesa’s creativity and Ekitike’s direct attacking threat have become increasingly important to the Reds’ system. Missing both would limit Slot’s options in a game where clinical finishing and pace on the counter could make all the difference.
Alisson Becker Set for Spell on the Sidelines
If the questions about Chiesa and Ekitike are frustrating, the news around Alisson Becker is even more worrying for Liverpool. The goalkeeper was forced off in Istanbul earlier this week, and Slot has already confirmed he will miss Saturday’s game against Chelsea.
His timeline for recovery remains unclear, though Slot did provide some context.
“That depends on how fast a recovery goes,” said the coach. “Saturday it’s clear, he’s not going to play for Brazil, and I would be surprised if he would be there in the first game after the international break.”
That comment strongly suggests Liverpool will be without Alisson not only for Chelsea, but also for at least the next couple of fixtures. With Brazilian international duty ruled out, the Reds are bracing for weeks without their world-class goalkeeper. Mamardashvili is expected to step in, and while he is a talented deputy, the loss of Alisson’s leadership and shot-stopping instincts is significant.
Long-Term Blow: Giovanni Leoni
Liverpool’s defensive depth has also taken a hit with the confirmation that Giovanni Leoni faces a long-term absence. The young defender suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in the recent clash with Southampton, ruling him out for the foreseeable future.
Slot will have to navigate the busy fixture schedule with fewer defensive options, a challenge that will test the resilience of his squad. Fortunately, Virgil van Dijk remains fit, while Ibrahima Konate and Jeremie Frimpong are also available. Even so, losing another defender adds to Liverpool’s growing list of concerns.
Chelsea’s Injury List Grows
If Liverpool’s problems look heavy, Chelsea’s situation might be even worse. Enzo Maresca confirmed that the Blues will be without “seven or eight players” for the visit of Liverpool.
Cole Palmer, one of their most influential creative players, is unavailable through injury. Trevoh Chalobah misses out due to suspension. On top of that, Tosin Adarabioyo, Levi Colwill, Liam Delap, Dario Essugo, Wesley Fofana, and Andrey Santos are all sidelined.
That is a huge number of absentees for a single game, and it leaves Maresca with limited choices across the pitch.
Yet the Chelsea boss remains confident. “I think it’s a fact that I really trust the young players, not just the young players we have signed, but the young players from the academy,” he explained.
Maresca pointed to how academy prospects such as Josh Acheampong and Ty George were trusted last season in key games, sometimes ahead of senior players. That approach will likely continue against Liverpool, with Chelsea relying on youthful energy and resilience to cover for the missing names.
Last Time Out
Both teams come into this fixture off the back of frustrating midweek games. Chelsea edged past Benfica 1-0 on September 30, with a lineup that included Sanchez in goal, Gusto, Chalobah, Badiashile, Cucurella in defense, and a midfield featuring Caicedo, Enzo, and Neto. Garnacho and Buonanotte supported George up front. While the result was positive, the performance showed Chelsea still struggling to find their rhythm in attack.
Liverpool, meanwhile, slipped to a 1-0 defeat in Istanbul against Galatasaray. Victor Osimhen’s first-half penalty proved the difference, and to make matters worse, injuries to Alisson and Ekitike compounded the misery. Slot’s starting XI featured Szoboszlai, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez, Gravenberch, Jones, Wirtz, Frimpong, Gakpo, and Ekitike. Despite dominating possession in spells, the Reds failed to find the cutting edge in the final third.
What to Expect at Stamford Bridge
Games between Chelsea and Liverpool rarely disappoint, and this one promises to carry the same intensity. Both teams are in transition under relatively new managers, both are battling injury problems, and both need a statement win to settle nerves.
For Liverpool, much depends on whether Chiesa or Ekitike is fit enough to play. If neither makes it, Slot may turn to Cody Gakpo and Florian Wirtz for attacking responsibility. Chelsea, meanwhile, will lean heavily on academy players and their resilience at home to get them through.
The absence of Alisson and Palmer removes two of the most decisive players from either side, meaning this match could be more open and unpredictable than usual. Both sets of fans will expect goals, and both managers know the importance of three points before the international break.
Conclusion
Liverpool and Chelsea head into Saturday’s clash with plenty of problems but also plenty of opportunity. Injuries and suspensions will shape the lineups, but they also create space for new heroes to emerge.
For Liverpool, the spotlight will fall on Kelleher, Van Dijk, and perhaps Wirtz if he starts in a central attacking role. For Chelsea, Maresca’s faith in youth could see Acheampong, George, or another academy product step up on a big stage.
At Stamford Bridge, nothing is ever certain. But with two ambitious sides, a long list of absentees, and the weight of expectation, this showdown feels like it could deliver drama, mistakes, and moments of brilliance in equal measure.
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YNWA (You’ll Never Walk Alone)!
The Liverpool FC Times Team
LiverpoolFCTimes.com