{"id":6269,"date":"2026-05-09T04:36:36","date_gmt":"2026-05-09T04:36:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=6269"},"modified":"2026-05-09T04:36:36","modified_gmt":"2026-05-09T04:36:36","slug":"14-players-set-to-miss-liverpool-vs-chelsea-as-arne-slot-confirms-double-boost","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=6269","title":{"rendered":"14 players set to miss Liverpool vs Chelsea as Arne Slot confirms double boost"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<h2 class=\"LeadText_lead-text__wd_PA __className_ab5de1\" data-testid=\"leadtext\">Liverpool host Chelsea at Anfield in Saturday&#8217;s early kick-off in the Premier League, and both teams having injury issues to contend with<\/h2>\n<p><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX ImageEmbed_image-lead__Ti3qQ\" data-testid=\"leadimage\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"33913988\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Liverpool's Mohamed Salah applauds the fans as he is substituted during the Premier League match at Anfield, Liverpool. \" loading=\"eager\" sizes=\"(max-width: 508px) 508px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/article33913988.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_Liverpool-v-Crystal-Palace-Premier-League-Anfield.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/article33913988.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s508\/0_Liverpool-v-Crystal-Palace-Premier-League-Anfield.jpg 508w, https:\/\/i2-prod.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/article33913988.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615\/0_Liverpool-v-Crystal-Palace-Premier-League-Anfield.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/article33913988.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_Liverpool-v-Crystal-Palace-Premier-League-Anfield.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Mohamed Salah is a major doubt for Liverpool vs Chelsea. \" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Mohamed Salah is a major doubt for Liverpool vs Chelsea. <cite aria-label=\"Image: Peter Byrne\/PA Wire.\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Peter Byrne\/PA Wire.)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Mohamed Salah could be among as many as 14 players missing for either Liverpool or Chelsea in their Premier League clash.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Ahead of Saturday&#8217;s game \u2013 a 12.30pm kick-off at Anfield \u2013 Arne Slot has been handed a double injury boost with Alexander Isak and Giorgi Mamardashvili expected to be available. Isak missed the clash against Manchester United last weekend with a knock, while Mamardashvili has recovered from a leg wound suffered against Everton.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Liverpool go into the match looking to secure their place in the Champions League positions. The Reds are currently in fourth place, six points ahead of Bournemouth in sixth position. The Premier League\u2019s UEFA ranking means that the top five will play in UEFA\u2019s top competition for the second year in a row.<\/p>\n<p><span data-testid=\"readmore\" class=\"ReadMore_readmore-prefix__xS44r __className_ab5de1\">READ MORE<!-- -->: <span class=\"ReadMore_readmore-link__eF9pN\">Arne Slot provides Alexander Isak and Alisson updates as surprise Liverpool return on cards<\/span><\/span><span data-testid=\"readmore\" class=\"ReadMore_readmore-prefix__xS44r __className_ab5de1\">READ MORE<!-- -->: <span class=\"ReadMore_readmore-link__eF9pN\">Arsenal set to overtake Liverpool and become English football\u2019s richest club<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Chelsea, meanwhile, are down in ninth place and are fighting to play European football next season. They are three points adrift of Brentford in seventh place.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Both Liverpool and Chelsea have fairly long injury lists ahead of the meeting.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Here\u2019s a look at the players who could miss the game for both sides.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FC FACEBOOK PAGE!<\/strong><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"> <\/strong><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"><u>All the latest news and analysis from Anfield on the Liverpool Echo&#8217;s dedicated LFC Facebook page<\/u><\/strong><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"\/><\/strong><\/p>\n<h4 class=\"HeadingFour_heading-four__M_w7B  __className_ce1667\">Liverpool<\/h4>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">There is doubt about <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Mohamed Salah<\/strong>&#8216;s availability, who is yet to return to training. It\u2019s a similar situation with <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Alisson Becker<\/strong>with both closing in on a return.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cAlisson not yet, doesn\u2019t train with us yet but very close to,\u201c Slot said. \u201cMo (has) also not trained with us yet but is also, like Ali, getting very, very, very close to training with us.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContentsEmbed_affiliate-contents-container__oTiet\" data-testid=\"affiliate-contents-embed\">\n<div data-testid=\"affiliate-content\" class=\"AffiliateContent_affiliate-content-container__10EX_ affiliate-content\">\n<p>Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package<\/p>\n<div class=\"AffiliateDisclaimer_affiliate-disclaimer__dG5ST\">\n<div class=\"AffiliateDisclaimer_affiliate-text__8nmDa\">This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_section-container__JMDzM AffiliateContent_content-details__U6C2M AffiliateContent_has-content-img___LY95\">\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_section-content__QCkL9\">\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_content-image__FxPNL\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Content Image\" fetchpriority=\"auto\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/article29681384.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s510b\/0_Sky-Factbox.jpg\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_section-container__JMDzM\">\n<div id=\"product-description\" class=\"AffiliateContent_section-content__QCkL9\">\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Longer-term absentees<strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"> Hugo Ekitike<\/strong> (achilles), <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Wataru Endo<\/strong> (foot), <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Giovanni Leoni<\/strong> (knee), <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Stefan Bejcetic<\/strong>, <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Jayden Dance<\/strong> and <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Conor Bradley<\/strong> (knee), will all be forced to miss the match through injury.<\/p>\n<h4 class=\"HeadingFour_heading-four__M_w7B  __className_ce1667\">Chelsea<\/h4>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Chelsea also have a growing injury list. Both goalkeeper <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Robert Sanchez<\/strong> and winger <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Jesse Derry<\/strong> suffered head injuries in the Blues\u2019 defeat against Nottingham Forest. Concussion protocols mean that neither will be available vs Liverpool.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-33914007\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"33914007\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.48\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Jesse Derry is taken off the field via a stretcher after a head injury during the Premier League match at Stamford Bridge.\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/article33914007.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Chelsea-v-Nottingham-Forest-Premier-League-Stamford-Bridge.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/article33914007.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_Chelsea-v-Nottingham-Forest-Premier-League-Stamford-Bridge.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/article33914007.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_Chelsea-v-Nottingham-Forest-Premier-League-Stamford-Bridge.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/article33914007.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Chelsea-v-Nottingham-Forest-Premier-League-Stamford-Bridge.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Chelsea's Jesse Darry suffered a head injury vs Nottingham Forest. \" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Chelsea&#8217;s Jesse Darry suffered a head injury vs Nottingham Forest. <cite aria-label=\"Image: John Walton\/PA Wire.\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: John Walton\/PA Wire.)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">It\u2019s in wide areas where availability may be an issue for interim manager Calum McFarlane. \u201c<strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Pedro Neto<\/strong> and (Alejandro) <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Grenache<\/strong> are both carrying knocks, and it\u2019s unlikely that they will be available,\u201d McFarlane said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Fellow winger <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Estevao<\/strong> has been ruled out for the remainder of the season with a hamstring injury. <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Jamie Gittens<\/strong> has not featured since January due to injury.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Liverpool host Chelsea at Anfield in Saturday&#8217;s early kick-off in the Premier League, and both&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6270,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6269","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-chelsea"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6269","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=6269"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6269\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/6270"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=6269"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=6269"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=6269"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}