Chelsea will host Liverpool at Stamford Bridge, in the context that both teams are hungry for a positive result for their own goals. After a few unstable weeks of competition, both are looking forward to the international break with a more optimistic spirit.
While Enzo Maresca and Arne Slot both expected a successful evening in London, both coaches also had a headache in choosing the starting lineup when the injury storm began to hit.
Maresca is facing a long list of absentees, forcing him to make significant adjustments to his tactics ahead of this big match. Long-term injuries such as Dario Essugo, Liam Delap and Levi Colwill have not been able to return due to fitness problems.
Cole Palmer is also in the treatment room with a groin injury and is expected to be out after the FIFA Days in October. Although some of Chelsea's key players could return soon, this weekend's match is likely to come too early, affecting their recovery process.
Center back Tosin Adarabioyo is still being treated for a calf injury, while midfielder Andrey Santos could be out for a few more weeks. Concerns about the Blues' defense continue to increase as Wesley Fofana is almost certain to be absent, as he is still recovering from a brain contusion.
Trevoh Chalobah will also be absent after being forced off against Brighton last weekend. Meanwhile, Mykhailo Mudryk is not ready to return to play.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Maresca admitted that the team is under great pressure on physical issues. "It's very difficult, very hard. Once again, because players have to play too much, they are at high risk of injury.
We have struggled to maintain the starting lineup, but that is the reality. The whole team needs to adapt and make efforts to win. That is why tonight's victory is very important, as well as the previous match, but it's a pity we couldn't do it. Now all the attention will be on the match against Liverpool" - the Italian captain shared.
While Chelsea struggled with the force problem, Liverpool received some positive signals. Hugo Ekitike and Federico Chiesa are both ready to play, although goalkeeper Alisson Becker was forced to sit out after an injury in the match against Galatasaray.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Arne Slot confirmed: "Alisson will not be in tomorrow's squad and will not join the Brazilian national team. He will definitely be absent on Saturday.
Hugo Ekitike will return to training today, and so will Federico Chiesa. As for Alisson, I would be surprised if he had played in the first match after the international break, but then it was unpredictable. It depends on how quickly he recovers."
Liverpool's only long-term concern is the case of Italian defender Giovanni Leoni, who has just undergone serious knee surgery.
Liverpool have not won in their last 4 matches at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League and are at risk of losing away to Chelsea for 2 consecutive seasons. The last time this scenario happened was a series of 3 consecutive losses from 2004 2005 to 2006-2007.
However, the Kop's failure in May needs to be put in another context. At that time, they had won the Premier League early and were not motivated, while Chelsea had to fight for a place in the Champions League.
The match between Chelsea and Liverpool takes place at 11:30 p.m. on October 4 (Vietnam time).
