A total of 11 players have been ruled out, turning what should be a blockbuster encounter into a tactical survival test for managers Enzo Maresca and Arne Slot. ..Continue Reading
The Blues are facing a nightmare at the back. Levi Colwill, Tosin Adarabioyo, and Wesley Fofana are all sidelined, leaving Maresca with limited options at centre-half.
To make matters worse, Trevoh Chalobah is suspended following his red card against Brighton. That leaves just Benoit Badiashile and teenage duo Josh Acheampong and Jorrel Hato to anchor the defence.
In midfield, Andrey Santos and Liam Delap are unavailable due to knocks sustained in recent fixtures, while Cole Palmer continues to nurse a groin injury that has kept him out since September. Dario Essugo also remains out with a thigh issue picked up during international duty.
Liverpool’s injury list is equally troubling. Star goalkeeper Alisson Becker has been ruled out with a hamstring injury sustained during the midweek Champions League defeat to Galatasaray.
His absence opens the door for Giorgi Mamardashvili to make his Premier League debut.
Defender Giovanni Leoni is out for the season with an ACL injury, while Federico Chiesa remains a doubt after missing the Galatasaray match due to a knock. Though Hugo Ekitike was cleared to play, his recent muscle scare adds to the uncertainty surrounding Liverpool’s attacking options.
With so many absentees, both managers will be forced to reshuffle their lineups and rely on youth and fringe players. Chelsea may push Moises Caicedo into defence, while Liverpool could lean on Florian Wirtz despite his inconsistent form.
This match, originally billed as a clash of title contenders, now carries the intrigue of resilience and adaptability. Fans can expect a gritty, unpredictable battle as both sides fight to overcome adversity and keep their campaigns on track.
