Premier League action – Liverpool vs Chelsea: Confirmed team news, predicted lineup, injuries
Liverpool welcome Chelsea to Anfield in a huge Premier League showdown this afternoon.
Four points separate Arne Slot’s league leaders and the resurgent Blues ahead of kick-off.
But Liverpool’s title credentials will be thoroughly tested in the coming weeks with goalkeeper Alisson Becker ruled out until the end of next month.
The Brazil international is sidelined with a hamstring injury which will keep him out until after the final international break of the year in November.
He will miss games against Chelsea, Arsenal, Brighton, and Aston Villa in the Premier League, as well as two Champions League fixtures against RB Leipzig and Bayer Leverkusen with Caoimhin Kelleher once again ready to step in.
Alexis Mac Allister meanwhile was forced off during the win over Crystal Palace last time out but still joined up with the Argentina squad, missing the first game against Venezuela but starting in the 6-0 win over Bolivia last night.
Slot was hopeful the Argentine would be available for today’s game but did name him in a small group of players with questions over their fitness alongside Kostas Tsimikas and Wataru Endo on Friday.
Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk meanwhile were able to return to Merseyside ahead of schedule and injury-free during the international break.
Van Dijk was sent off in Netherlands draw with Hungary last Friday, leaving the squad ahead of Monday’s defeat to Germany. Salah meanwhile scored last week against Mauritania but travelled back to the UK ahead of last night’s game against the same opposition.
Federico Chiesa meanwhile has managed just 18 minutes of Premier League action since his move from Juventus, picking up an unknown injury last month. Harvey Elliot remains sidelined with a foot injury.
Chelsea team news vs Liverpool
Chelsea have had a fairly settled back four this season under Enzo Maresca but will be without Marc Cucurella and Wesley Fofana for Sunday’s game at Anfield. The pair will serve one-match suspensions after picking up their fifth bookings of the season in the fiery draw with Nottingham Forest.
Both have started every league game this season with Tosin Adarabioyo expected to replace Fofana alongside Levi Colwill.
Renato Veiga could be called upon to replace Cucurella after his superb start to life at Stamford Bridge. The Portuguese has slotted in at left-back in Europa Conference League games this season with four Premier League appearances to his name so far.
Reece James meanwhile is stepping up his return from injury but it seems unlikely Maresca will throw him into such a huge game after another lengthy layoff.
Predicted Liverpool team to face Chelsea
Kelleher, Alexander Arnold, Konate, van Dijk, Robertson, Mac Allister, Gravenberch, Salah, Szoboszlai, Diaz, Jota
Predicted Chelsea team to face Liverpool
Sanchez, Gusto, Adarabioyo, Colwill, Veiga, Caicedo, Fernandez, Madueke, Palmer, Sancho, Jackson
Kelleher has shone in recent games against the Blues (Squawka)
Where to watch Liverpool vs Chelsea? Kick-off time and TV channel
Liverpool vs Chelsea kicks off at 4:30pm on Sunday 20 October.
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