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After a difficult couple of games where Liverpool picked up zero points from Crystal Palace and Galatasaray, a trip to Stamford Bridge doesn't look straightforward on paper.
Arne Slot's side didn't perform well at Selhurst Park or the RAMS Arena in Istanbul, and will be looking to put that right on Saturday. And when it takes to the field, Liverpool will come up against a Chelsea team missing some key men.
Enzo Maresca's star man, Cole Palmer, has been ruled out with a thigh problem, while Levi Colwill has undergone surgery for an ACL injury. Fellow center-back Tosin Adarabioyo and striker Liam Delap have calf and thigh injuries, respectively.
Dario Essugo and Trevoh Chalobah are out, while Andrey Santos has a minor issue that is being monitored.
Wesley Fofana was concussed recently, while Mykhailo Mudryk is absent after being charged with a doping offence. Mudryk has denied any wrongdoing.
Chelsea, of course, has plenty of players. Its work in the transfer market has ensured that Maresca isn't light of options in any area of the field.
But with Palmer missing, it might lack an attacking spark. Liverpool winning the match would still be a statement and a reminder to Arsenal that the current Premier League leader is there to stay, but it looks more realistic given the Chelsea absentees.
Robert Sanchez was sent off against Manchester United, but the Chelsea goalkeeper has already served his suspension. Reece James and Marc Cucurella are the likely full-backs.
At center-back is where Chelsea is lightest. The inexperienced Josh Acheampong is likely to be partnered by Benoit Badiashile, who will be making his first league start of the campaign.
Romeo Lavia and Moises Caicedo, in another universe, could have been lining up for Liverpool. Instead, they could be joined in midfield by Enzo Fernandez.
And a dangerous-looking Chelsea attack could include the pace of Willian Estevao and Pedro Neto out wide, with the former Brighton man Joao Pedro through the middle.
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Even with Palmer missing, that is a strong starting XI on paper. Liverpool, though, should be confident of getting a positive result, and there will be a determination to play better than it has of late.
"We are ready to play these types of games," Cucurella said. "For sure, I think Liverpool deserved to win the league last season. This season, they have started really strongly. But I think the last few games we have played against Liverpool have been a fight."
The Reds are set to be without Alisson Becker because of the injury he sustained midweek. Giovanni Leoni has undergone surgery on his ACL injury, while Stefan Bajcetic is still working his way back to fitness. Arne Slot will offer the latest update tomorrow.
With the players that Chelsea is missing, however, Liverpool should be smelling the chance to get back on track.
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