Alexander Isak and Mohamed Salah will return to the Liverpool starting lineup when they take on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
Liverpool will be desperate to return to winning ways when they lock horns with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening. Arne Slot has new injury concerns to worry about ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Alisson Becker is the latest absentee after picking up a hamstring injury in the UEFA Champions League clash with Galatasaray. The Brazilian international accompanies Giovanni Leoni (knee) in the treatment room.
Slot has been sweating over the fitness of Federico Chiesa (knock) and Hugo Ekitike (thigh). The duo faces late fitness tests to determine their availability. Meanwhile, during his pre-match press conference, the Dutch tactician provided fitness updates on Chiesa and Ekitike.
The Liverpool manager said, “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.”
Slot also discussed Alisson’s absence during his presser. He said, “That depends also on how fast a recovery goes. So, 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.”
The Liverpool manager continued, “But from there on, sometimes things can go a bit faster or a bit slower. It’s always difficult to say the amount of days and weeks, but for the upcoming games he will not be part of us or the Brazil team.”
Giorgi Mamardashvili is an automatic pick between the sticks, as he will deputise for the injury-stricken Alisson Becker. The away side will line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of the Georgian goalkeeper against Chelsea on Saturday, with the backline featuring Jeremie Frimpong, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk, and Milos Kerkez.
As for the midfield unit, there is no looking past Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch in the double pivot, with Dominik Szoboszlai reprising the no. 10 role amid Florian Wirtz’s struggles. Finally, Alexander Isak will lead the line for the Premier League champions against Chelsea, with Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah being the two wide attackers.
Predicted Liverpool XI: Mamardashvili; Frimpong, Konate, van Dijk, Kerkez; Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Isak
