- Chelsea travel to Anfield on Saturday
- Blues set to be without several star players
- Couple of players could make returns
The stakes for Saturday’s showdown at Anfield have shifted significantly, as Arne Slot’s Liverpool received a timely boost regarding the fitness of a depleted Chelsea squad.
While the Blues have confirmed a handful of first-team returns to training, their official absentee list remains lengthy, handing the Reds a strategic “early read” on their rivals ahead of the May 9 kickoff.
For Liverpool, the objective is now razor-sharp: they must transform Anfield into a fortress and capitalise on a Chelsea side currently spiraling through a historic collapse.
They have lost seven of their last matches in the league and are coming to Anfield after a 3-1 loss at Stamford Bridge to a heavily rotated Nottingham Forest.
Knowing exactly who Chelsea is missing allows Liverpool to tailor their tactical approach to exploit specific defensive gaps.
Liverpool have their own injury headaches this weekend, but their opponents from London are in a similar situation, which could give Arne Slot a boost in the match. Here is the latest Chelsea injury news:
1 – Jamie Gittens (Hamstring)
Chelsea signed Jamie Gittens with a lot of promise, but the Englishman has done little. The £55 million signing will be out of the matchday squad once again after failing to recover from his hamstring injury.
The winger has been out of action since January after picking up the injury against West Ham United. He is unlikely to play again this season.
2 – Estevao Willian (Hamstring)
Estevao Willian scored the winner when Liverpool travelled to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge earlier this season. The Brazilian winger scored deep into stoppage time to help the Blues collect all three points from the match.
He has also suffered a hamstring injury and is out for the season. The teenager has a tear and is also set to be ruled out of the FIFA World Cup this summer.
3 – Benoit Badiashile (Unknown)
Chelsea have not been solid at the back and have been struggling to stop goals, but Benoit Badiashile has not managed to get a sniff. The Frenchman has not been a part of the matchday squads since mid-March for unknown reasons.
Liam Rosenior, who got sacked in April, and McFarlane have not disclosed a reason why the defender has not been picked in matches.
4 – Jesse Derry (Head injury)
Jesse Derry made his first start for Chelsea on Monday, but lasted just 45 minutes. He suffered a head injury and was rushed to the hospital just before half-time at Stamford Bridge.
He has been discharged, but the winger might not play again this season. He is ruled out of the Anfield visit this weekend and will not even be a part of the squad.
5 – Pedro Neto (Knock)
Pedro Neto has been the one consistent name in the Chelsea starting XI this season. The Portuguese star missed the 3-1 loss to Nottingham Forest on Monday after picking up a knock in training.
He is expected to make a return this weekend for the trip to Anfield. The 26-year-old can play on both wings, so he will be a handful for Andy Robertson and Curtis Jones.
6 – Alejandro Garnacho (Knock)
Alejandro Garnacho was another name missing from the Chelsea squad for the 3-1 loss on Monday. He too suffered a knock and missed the match, but is scheduled to be back in training this week.
The £40 million signing from Manchester United has not been at his best this season, and Liverpool full-backs will be hoping that he does not come to Anfield motivated.
7 – Robert Sanchez (Head injury)
Robert Sanchez has been Chelsea’s #1 goalkeeper this season, but the Spaniard is a doubt for the Liverpool trip. He was substituted in the Premier League clash on Monday after a nasty clash of heads with Mogan Gibbs-White.
The goalkeeper has needed stitches for his head injury and could be out of the Anfield trip if concussion protocols are to be followed.
Why it matters for Liverpool
This is the kind of fixture Liverpool have to attack with conviction. Chelsea may get a small boost from the return of Gusto and Nkunku to full training, but their wider injury list and current league form point to vulnerability rather than stability.
For Liverpool, the biggest opportunity is obvious. Chelsea have been giving up goals regularly and have looked fragile during this losing run, so Anfield should see a side there to be pressed, stretched and put under pressure. If Slot’s side want to steady the mood after the defeat at Manchester United, this is the sort of game where the response has to be visible.
The wider context
Liverpool’s official numbers ahead of the match are encouraging without being a guarantee. The Reds are unbeaten in their last 12 home Premier League games kicking off at 12.30pm on a Saturday, and they have also stayed unbeaten against Chelsea at Anfield in the league since March 2021.
There is also a clear contrast between the two teams recent trajectories in this fixture. Chelsea have won only one of their last 10 Premier League visits to Anfield, and their current defensive run suggests they are still a side searching for balance even with some players edging back.
That does not mean Liverpool can stroll through the game. Chelsea still carry attacking quality, and Nkunku returning to full training is a reminder that the visitors do at least have some recovery signs. But the overall source picture still points to Liverpool facing a weakened and out-of-form opponent.
The central question at Anfield is whether Chelsea’s returning stars some of whom have recently rejoined first-team training possess the match fitness to stabilise a side currently in free-fall. From the visitors’ perspective, the official updates still paint a bleak picture, leaving the Blues looking threadbare in several vital departments.
Fans and pundits alike will be scouring for any hint of a late fitness boost for either side:
- Calum McFarlane (Chelsea Interim): The caretaker boss is scheduled to address the media today, Thursday, 7 May, at 1:30 PM UK time.
- Arne Slot (Liverpool): The Reds’ head coach will hold his pre-match press conference on Friday, 8 May, at 9:00 AM BST. Slot is expected to provide definitive updates on Alexander Isak, Alisson Becker, and Florian Wirtz, all of whom have been training away from the main group this week.
