Liverpool Team News: Injuries, suspensions and line-up vs Chelsea

Neil Jones

Liverpool Team News: Injuries, suspensions and line-up vs Chelsea image

After securing a place in the Champions League final in midweek, Liverpool can book their spot in next season's competition by avoiding defeat at Chelsea this weekend.

The Reds head to Stamford Bridge knowing that a draw will be enough to see off the Londoners in the race for a top-four finish. 

Jurgen Klopp's side currently sit six points clear of Chelsea, who have a game in hand. Liverpool's superior goal difference, though, could make the difference come the end of the campaign.

Lose in west London and the race will go down to the final weekend of the season, when Brighton visit Anfield. How Klopp would love to get the job done before that though, with that huge clash with Real Madrid looming large on the horizon.

Here, Goal takes a look at everything you need to know ahead of Sunday's meeting..


Liverpool injuries


The Reds come into the game with issues, and no doubt tired legs following their exertions in Rome.

Definitely out are Joel Matip (thigh), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (knee) and Emre Can (back). Adam Lallana travelled with the squad for the Roma game but was not considered for selection as he recovers from a hamstring problem - this game probably comes too soon for the England man.

Joe Gomez missed the midweek game due to an ankle knock.


Liverpool suspensions


Liverpool do not have any suspended players for this game. 


Likely Liverpool starting line-up


So, Jurgen....stick or twist?

Klopp knows he has to manage his resources carefully with that Champions League final to come, but his injury list - and the fear of missing out on the top four - mean he must perform a delicate balancing act.

He has some wiggle room in defence, where Nathaniel Clyne and Alberto Moreno could come in as full backs. Ragnar Klavan may replace Dejan Lovren too, though it would be wise to avoid wholesale changes to a backline which continues to look less than secure.

Midfield picks itself, with only three senior players fit. Up front, the tendency has been for one of Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino to miss out. But with a result needed, the temptation may be for all three to start this one.

Likely Liverpool line-up v Chelsea


Chelsea team news


Antonio Conte's side have a final of their own to look forward to, of course, but have a relatively clean bill of health in comparison to Liverpool.

Only defenders David Luiz (knee) and Ethan Ampadu (ankle) are ruled out. Victor Moses will face his former club.


TV channel & kick-off time


The fixture will be broadcast live in the UK (United Kingdom) on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League, kick off 4.30pm.

In the United States, the game can be watched live on television on NBCSN, kick off 11.30am.


Best Opta match facts


  • ​Liverpool have won their last two Premier League games at Stamford Bridge – the only side to win three in a row away at the ground in the competition were Blackburn, between 1993-94 and 1995-96.
  • Jurgen Klopp has won both of his Premier League visits to Stamford Bridge so far – no opposing manager has ever won their first three visits in the competition.
  • Both teams have scored in 12 of the last 13 Premier League meetings between these sides, with Chelsea the only side to keep a clean sheet in that run (2-0 at Anfield in April 2014).
  • Liverpool’s run of 13 league games without a clean sheet against Chelsea is their longest such run against a specific opponent in the top-flight since a streak of 17 against Blackburn (between 1947 and 1995).
  • The Blues have failed to win either of their last two Premier League home games – they last went three without a win at Stamford Bridge in May 2016, a run of five under Guus Hiddink.
  • Liverpool’s last two away league games have ended level. They last drew three in a row on the road in the Premier League in November 2012, which included a draw at Stamford Bridge.
  • The Reds haven’t failed to score in two consecutive Premier League games since August 2015, vs Arsenal and West Ham when Brendan Rodgers was manager.
  • Olivier Giroud hasn’t scored in any of his last six Premier League starts, with his last six goals in the competition coming as a substitute.
  • However, the Frenchman has scored four goals in his last five Premier League starts against Liverpool, though three of those goals have been at Anfield.

Neil Jones

Neil Jones Photo

Neil Jones is the Liverpool FC Correspondent for Goal, covering the Reds home, away and abroad. Neil joined Goal in March 2018, having previously spent eight years working for the Liverpool ECHO as a football reporter. A born-and-bred Scouser, Neil is a trusted and authoritative voice on Liverpool, and regularly appears on the club’s official TV channel, LFCTV, to talk about the club. He is also a regular contributor to podcasts such as The Anfield Wrap, Redmen TV and Anfield Index, and can be found on Saturday mornings turning out for his local amateur club, FC Bootle St Edmunds, where he is also the assistant manager.