Chelsea vs Liverpool: Predicted lineups today and confirmed team news

Ekitike picked up a knock midweek (Picture: Getty)

Chelsea host Liverpool at Stamford Bridge this evening with injury problems stacking up for both sides ahead of kick-off.

The Blues have stuttered as of late having picked up just one point in the Premier League since 30 August.

Enzo Maresca is dealing with a crisis at the back with four of his options at centre-half unavailable. Levi Colwill is a long-term absentee with Tosin Adarabioyo and Wesley Fofana ruled out until after the international break.

To make matters worse, Trevoh Chalobah, one of Chelsea’s best players so far this term, will serve a one-match suspension following his red card in last week’s defeat to Brighton.

It leaves Maresca with the options of 19-year-old Josh Acheampong and Benoit Badiashile at the back.

Andrey Santos meanwhile is another who will miss the visit of the champions after a knock picked up in training earlier this week.

Cole Palmer will not be involved with Chelsea making the decision to pull him out of the team for a few weeks to help him shake a persistent groin injury.

Benoit Badiashile will have a key role to play (Picture: Getty)

Liam Delap and Dario Essugo make up the eight-man absentee list hanging over the Chelsea boss.

Two defeats on the bounce against Crystal Palace and Galatasaray for Liverpool have set alarm bells ringing.

@metrosportuk Sometimes you just need to laugh at Chelsea 😂 Liverpool face Chelsea next in the league but even if the Blues win I don’t think there is anything to worry about. #premierleague #liverpool #chelseavsliverpool #footballshow #metrosport ♬ original sound – Metro Sport – Metro Sport

The Reds looked rather lost away in Turkey on Tuesday night and returned to Merseyside with two fresh injury problems.

Alisson Becker has already been ruled out of the trip to Stamford Bridge and could be unavailable until after November’s international break with Giorgi Mamardashvili set to deputise.

Alisson was forced off against Galatasaray (Picture: Getty Images)

Hugo Ekitike meanwhile started midweek after serving his suspension against Crystal Palace but went off on 68 minutes. Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Slot told reporters a late decision would be made on the striker after a final training session.

The same applies to Federico Chiesa. His countryman Giovanni Leoni meanwhile is set for a long spell on the sidelines after his anterior cruciate ligament injury in the Carabao Cup last week.

Elsewhere, Slot could have a huge decision to make on record signing Florian Wirtz after another underwhelming performance from the German.

Injuries leave little room for rotation with Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo playing the full 90 for the second time in four days on Tuesday. Reece James and Estevao Willian started on the bench against Benfica and will be expected to start today.

Giorgi Mamardashvili will deputise for Alisson in west London while Alexander Isak will surely join him in the starting XI if there are any doubts of Ekitike’s fitness.

Chelsea vs Liverpool kicks off at 5:30pm on Saturday 4 October .