Chelsea dealt blow as interim coach Calum McFarlane confirms 3 key Blues stars will miss Liverpool clash through injury

Chelsea interim head coach Calum McFarlane has confirmed the Blues will be without Pedro Neto, Alejandro Garnacho and Robert Sanchez for their upcoming Premier League clash against Liverpool. The Blues will play against the Anfield club on May 9 as they look to secure European football for 2026-27 season.

Speaking in the press-conference before the clash, McFarlane confirmed Neto and Garnacho are still nursing knocks that prevented them from taking part in the recent 3-1 loss to Nottingham Forest. Sanchez started the game against Forest but was forced off the pitch in the second half after a nasty collision with Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White.

The Spanish goalkeeper underwent tests with Chelsea medical staff at Cobham, but has not been passed fit and will hence will the trip to Anfield. Speaking about the injury absences, McFarlane said(via football.london):

“Neto and Garnacho are carrying knocks so they are unlikely to be available. Rob is also not going to be available.”

Filip Jorgensen, who came off the bench to replace Sanchez is expected to replace the Spaniard in the starting lineup. The Blues will look to end their horrific form of 6 consecutive losses in the PL without multiple key players.

On the brighter side for Chelsea, 2 important players returned to fitness for the Blues. Reece James was an unused substitute against Forest after the injury he picked up against Newcastle, while Levi Colwill came on in the second half for his first appearance of the season. McFarlane confirmed both players trained normally ahead of the trip to Anfield. He said:

“We’ve got a few lads returning, Levi and Reece have trained a full week. It’s looking promising. We’ve still got another session. They both trained fully today.”

A loss against Liverpool would equal the club’s worst ever losing run of seven straight defeats, a feat they have avoided since December 1952.

Calum McFarlane addresses Chelsea issues ahead of Liverpool clash

McFarlane was asked in his pre-Liverpool presser if his Chelsea player had downed tools. He said:

I wouldn’t agree with that. The performances haven’t been good enough, we’re in a really bad run at the moment. I do see these boys every day, they are in a good place to go and attack games but we didn’t translate that to the game on Monday.”

Despite their poor form in the PL, Chelsea have a chance to finish the season with some silverware. They will take on Manchester City in the FA Cup final on May 16 and will look to finish their mediocre season with a major trophy.