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Enzo Maresca will go head-to-head with Arne Slot on Saturday evening as Chelsea welcome Liverpool to Stamford Bridge.
The Blues are looking to end their three-match winless run in the Premier League with victory against the Reds, who too have looked out of sorts in recent games. Liverpool, who remain at the top of the table going into this weekend's round of fixtures, were beaten at Crystal Palace last weekend before also losing away at Galatasaray in the Champions League earlier in the week.
With it being the last match before the two-week international break, both sides will be looking to enter the period on a high. It is, however, a really difficult one to predict.
Chelsea played really well in both matches against Liverpool last season. At Anfield, the Blues were beaten 2-1 by the eventual champions, but at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea won 3-1 against Slot's men. There will be a confidence from a Chelsea point of view that they can get at this Liverpool side on Saturday, especially with it being on their home turf.
However, Chelsea will have to do that without the likes of Cole Palmer, Levi Colwill, Liam Delap, Dario Essugo, Tosin Adarabioyo, Wesley Fofana and Andrey Santos, who are all injured, while Trevoh Chalobah will serve his one-match suspension following last weekend's sending off against Brighton. Maresca does have a deep squad but it is being severely tested right now.
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The Chelsea head coach could make four changes from the side that edged past Benfica in the Champions League on Tuesday night. Reece James could return to right-back in place of Malo Gusto as the Blues look to put their strongest possible XI out against the Reds.
Benoit Badiashile impressed against Benfica, so the Frenchman could retain his place at the centre of defence. Chelsea are very short in terms of right-sided central defenders, so Josh Acheampong could come in and partner Badiashile, with Jorrel Hato being a left-sided option.
Estevao Willian could take Alejandro Garnacho's place in the side. Garnacho's fitness is still not 100% and after starting just his second game for the club earlier in the week, the Argentine could drop to the bench. On top of that, Estevao has made an electric start to life at Stamford Bridge and could cause either Milos Kerkez or Andy Robertson several problems down Liverpool's left-hand side.
Joao Pedro picked up a red card in the win on Tuesday night, but his suspension only applies in the Champions League. The Brazil international could come in for Tyrique George and lead the line, where he will likely be up against Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate in west London.
Possible Chelsea line-up: Sanchez; James, Acheampong, Badiashile, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Estevao, Buonanotte, Neto; Joao Pedro.
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