{"id":6324,"date":"2026-05-09T07:07:28","date_gmt":"2026-05-09T07:07:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=6324"},"modified":"2026-05-09T07:07:28","modified_gmt":"2026-05-09T07:07:28","slug":"14-players-to-miss-liverpool-vs-chelsea-as-calum-mcfarlane-provides-update","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=6324","title":{"rendered":"14 players to miss Liverpool vs Chelsea as Calum McFarlane provides update"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<h2 class=\"LeadText_lead-text__wd_PA __className_ab5de1\" data-testid=\"leadtext\">Chelsea travel to take on Liverpool at Anfield in Saturday&#8217;s early Premier League clash.<\/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=\"33914347\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Robert Sanchez after conceding against Nottingham Forest.\" loading=\"eager\" sizes=\"(max-width: 508px) 508px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33914347.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_Chelsea-v-Nottingham-Forest-Premier-League.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33914347.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s508\/0_Chelsea-v-Nottingham-Forest-Premier-League.jpg 508w, https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33914347.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615\/0_Chelsea-v-Nottingham-Forest-Premier-League.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33914347.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_Chelsea-v-Nottingham-Forest-Premier-League.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Robert Sanchez will miss Chelsea's Premier League clash against Liverpool.\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Robert Sanchez will miss Chelsea&#8217;s Premier League clash against Liverpool.<cite aria-label=\"Image: Darren Walsh, Chelsea FC via Getty Images\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Darren Walsh, Chelsea FC via Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Robert Sanchez and Jesse Derry will be among as many as 14 players missing for either Chelsea or Liverpool in their Premier League clash.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Chelsea interim boss Calum McFarlane has given the latest injury update on his squad ahead of Saturday&#8217;s 12.30pm kick-off at Anfield.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Chelsea go into the game in ninth place in the Premier League table and are battling to secure European football for next season. They trail Brentford in seventh by three points.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Liverpool, meanwhile sit in fourth position and are looking set to secure Champions League football again. They are six points ahead of sixth-place Bournemouth, with the top five qualifying for the Elite UEFA competition.<\/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 CHELSEA FB PAGE!<\/strong> <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"\/><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"><u>Latest Blues news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page<\/u><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Both sides arrive at this fixture carrying considerable injury concerns. Here&#8217;s a look at the players who could miss the game for both sides.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"HeadingThree_heading-three__PBHLs  __className_ce1667\">Chelsea<\/h3>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Chelsea&#8217;s injury concerns continue to mount. Both goalkeeper <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Sanchez<\/strong> and winger <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Derry<\/strong> sustained head injuries during the Blues&#8217; loss to Nottingham Forest last weekend, with concussion protocols ruling each of them out of the Liverpool clash.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">It is in the wide positions where squad depth could prove a headache for interim manager McFarlane. &#8220;<strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Pedro Neto<\/strong> and (Alejandro) <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Grenache<\/strong> are both carrying knocks, and it&#8217;s unlikely that they will be available,&#8221; he said.<\/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>FA Cup final VIP tickets for Man City vs Chelsea<\/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.football.london\/article33742623.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s510b\/0_Untitled-6jpeg.jpg\"\/><\/div>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_content-price-details__OpMC_\">\n<p>Various Prices<\/p>\n<p>Seat Unique<\/p>\n<p>Book tickets here<\/p><\/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\">Seat Unique offers hospitality packages for Chelsea&#8217;s FA Cup final clash with Man City<!-- -->including &#8216;premium&#8217; seats at Wembley and complimentary food and drink.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\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 sidelined for the rest of the season with a hamstring problem, while <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Jamie Gittens<\/strong> has not featured since January owing to injury.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"HeadingThree_heading-three__PBHLs  __className_ce1667\">Liverpool<\/h3>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">There are question marks surrounding <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Mohamed Salah<\/strong>&#8216;s availability for Liverpool, as he is yet to return to training. <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Alisson Becker<\/strong> finds himself in a similar position, with both players edging closer to a comeback.<\/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-33914346\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"33914346\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Mohamed Salah during Liverpool vs Crystal Palace at Anfield.\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33914346.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Liverpool-v-Crystal-Palace-Premier-League.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33914346.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_Liverpool-v-Crystal-Palace-Premier-League.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33914346.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_Liverpool-v-Crystal-Palace-Premier-League.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33914346.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Liverpool-v-Crystal-Palace-Premier-League.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Mohamed Salah is a doubt for Liverpool against Chelsea.\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Mohamed Salah is a doubt for Liverpool against Chelsea.<cite aria-label=\"Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA, Getty Images\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt &#8211; AMA, Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;Alisson not yet, doesn&#8217;t train with us yet but very close to,&#8221; manager Arne Slot said. &#8220;Mo (has) also not trained with us yet but is also, like Ali, getting very, very, very close to training with us.&#8221;<\/p>\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 Bajcetic<\/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<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Chelsea travel to take on Liverpool at Anfield in Saturday&#8217;s early Premier League clash. Robert&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6325,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6324","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\/6324","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=6324"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6324\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/6325"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=6324"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=6324"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=6324"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}