Chelsea vs Liverpool Preview: Injury Concerns and Form Define Stamford Bridge Showdown

Liverpool travel to Stamford Bridge this weekend aiming to extend their impressive domestic form before the international break, while Chelsea look to halt a poor run of results in this fixture and overcome another wave of absentees.

Arne Slot’s side have developed a useful habit of finishing strongly before players head off for international duty. Liverpool have won their last five Premier League matches immediately preceding a break, keeping a clean sheet in all of them. However, their task in west London is complicated by the absence of goalkeeper Alisson Becker, who suffered a groin injury in midweek against Galatasaray. The Brazilian will also sit out national team duty, with his understudy set for a stern examination in the capital.

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has his own injury crisis to contend with. Trevoh Chalobah begins a one-match ban after his red card against Brighton, joining a lengthy list of unavailable players. Mykhaylo Mudryk is also suspended, while Cole Palmer, Tosin Adarabioyo, Liam Delap, Levi Colwill, and Dario Essugo are sidelined with various injuries. Maresca admitted that “seven or eight” senior players are set to miss out, with fitness checks still required on Wesley Fofana and Andrey Santos. Should Fofana fail to clear concussion protocols, Chelsea may be forced to field teenage pairing Josh Acheampong and Jorrel Hato in central defence.

The hosts have won just once in their last 11 meetings with Liverpool across all competitions and only two of their last 11 league games heading into an international break. Stamford Bridge has not been a happy hunting ground for the visitors recently either, with Liverpool failing to win any of their last four league trips to the ground (three draws, one defeat).

Even so, there are plenty of records that give Liverpool a fighting chance. Mohamed Salah has been directly involved in nine goals in 15 league appearances against his former club, while Alexander Isak has scored at Stamford Bridge in each of the last two seasons with Newcastle and will look to extend that personal streak in Liverpool red.

Chelsea’s set-piece threat may also prove pivotal. Five of their 11 league goals this season have come from corners, and Liverpool’s struggles defending dead-ball situations have already been exposed this term. At the other end, discipline remains a major concern for Maresca’s side. Chelsea have collected more cards than any other Premier League team since the start of last season (114 yellows and four reds), with three dismissals in their past four matches alone.

Yet, with Liverpool coming into this game on the back of defeats to Galatasaray and Crystal Palace, the defending champions do not look entirely settled. Chelsea’s problems are equally clear, leaving this heavyweight clash delicately balanced. In truth, it is difficult to say who will emerge victorious.