Liverpool are currently monitoring the fitness of several key players as they prepare to face Chelsea in a crucial Premier League match at Anfield on Sunday.
The Reds, who resumed their league campaign after the October international break, face some uncertainty regarding the availability of key players, with goalkeeper Alisson Becker confirmed to be out due to injury.
Alisson’s Absence and Squad Fitness Concerns
Alisson Becker, Liverpool’s first-choice goalkeeper, will not feature in the upcoming weeks due to an injury he sustained during Liverpool’s 1-0 win against Crystal Palace before the international break. Alisson’s absence is a significant setback for the team, especially given his consistent performances throughout the season. Head coach Arne Slot, in his pre-match press conference on Friday morning, confirmed the Brazilian goalkeeper’s unavailability and expressed the impact this will have on the squad.
“Alisson is for sure not with us in the upcoming weeks, that’s clear,” Slot said. “It’s a blow for him and for us because he has been exceptional this season and has done so well for the club over the years.”
Slot remains optimistic about Liverpool’s goalkeeping options, specifically praising Caoimhin Kelleher, the club’s second-choice goalkeeper. Kelleher, who has stepped up in the past during Alisson’s absences, is expected to fill the void. Slot highlighted Kelleher’s readiness, stating, “The good thing is, and I’ve said this many times, that Caoimhin has done well for us in previous years and also this season. So, we have a good replacement, but of course, you always want all of your players available.”
Assessing Players Returning from International Duty
Apart from Alisson, Liverpool is also assessing the fitness of several players who returned from international duty, with some of them nursing minor injuries or fatigue. Slot acknowledged the challenges that come with managing players who have been away, explaining that it was difficult to make final decisions until after the team’s training session on Friday afternoon.
“We’ve got quite a few issues with players coming back from the national teams,” Slot revealed. “We can only judge that perfectly today because this is the first time they’re all back and the first time they’ll train together again. We’ll see after the session where everybody stands.”
Among the players being monitored is Alexis Mac Allister, who missed one of Argentina’s matches during the international break but played in the second. Slot expressed hope that the midfielder would be available for the Chelsea game but noted that his condition would be evaluated after training. “Macca missed one game for Argentina, but he played the second one. We’ll have to see how he feels after today’s session,” Slot commented.
Similarly, Kostas Tsimikas, Liverpool’s left-back, was unavailable for Greece’s first match against England but did feature in their second game. His fitness will also be assessed before the match. “Kostas missed the first game for Greece, so we’ll need to see how he is as well,” Slot added.
Another player under consideration is Wataru Endo, who was reportedly sick during the international break. Endo’s availability remains uncertain, with Slot explaining that the club would wait for further updates on his condition.
Harvey Elliott’s Continued Recovery
Liverpool midfielder Harvey Elliott remains sidelined as he continues his recovery from a foot injury. The young No. 19 has been working his way back to fitness, having participated in gym and running sessions earlier in the week. However, it appears that Elliott is not yet ready to return to action, and his absence adds to Liverpool’s growing list of unavailable players.
Milestone Appearances for Kelleher and Konate
If Caoimhin Kelleher and Ibrahima Konate feature in Sunday’s match, they will both reach significant milestones in their Liverpool careers. Kelleher is set to make his 50th appearance for the club, while Konate will be playing his 100th game. These landmarks come at a crucial time for Liverpool, as both players will need to step up in the absence of other key figures.
Chelsea’s Squad Update and Reece James’ Return
While Liverpool deals with fitness concerns, Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca provided a more positive update regarding his squad. Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Maresca confirmed that aside from two suspended players, Chelsea has no injury issues ahead of their trip to Anfield.
“Finally, we are all available,” Maresca told reporters. “We have the entire squad ready, apart from the suspended ones.”
One of the biggest pieces of good news for Chelsea is the return of captain Reece James. The right-back is set to make his first appearance of the season after recovering from injury. Maresca was pleased with the timing of James’ return, stating, “He is available, yes. Finally, he is back. He worked with us throughout the international break, and it’s good news, especially for him because being injured is never easy. So, it’s a big boost for us to have him back.”
Suspension Troubles for Chelsea
However, Chelsea will be without defenders Marc Cucurella and Wesley Fofana, both of whom are suspended for Sunday’s match. Cucurella and Fofana have been regulars in Chelsea’s back line this season, and their absence will force Maresca to make adjustments to his defensive setup.
When asked about how he plans to cope with the loss of these two players, Maresca remained calm and confident in his squad’s depth. “It’s not a problem,” he said. “I’ve said since the start of the season that I’m very happy with the squad and the players we have. We’ve been sharing minutes across all the competitions, so we’ll find the right players to fill those spots.”
Maresca hinted that Ben Chilwell could be one of the players brought in to cover for Cucurella or Fofana, though he noted that Chilwell had been ill for the past few days. “Chilly has been unwell for the last three or four days, so we’ll have to see how he is after today’s session,” Maresca explained.
The Challenge of Facing Liverpool
Looking ahead to the match, Maresca acknowledged the challenge of facing a strong Liverpool side, particularly at Anfield. He praised the quality of Liverpool’s players and management but remained optimistic about Chelsea’s chances. “Liverpool is doing fantastic. They have very good players, a very good manager, and they are a fantastic club,” Maresca said. “But this is not new; Liverpool has been at this level for many years now. It’s important for them, but we are ready for the challenge.”
Recent Matches Recap
Liverpool’s last Premier League match saw them secure a 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace, with Alisson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Virgil van Dijk, and Kostas Tsimikas all featuring. Meanwhile, Chelsea’s most recent fixture ended in a 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest.
As both teams gear up for their Sunday showdown, all eyes will be on the lineups and how each manager handles their respective squad challenges. The result could be crucial in shaping the Premier League standings as the season progresses.
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