Liverpool will host Chelsea at Anfield in what promises to be an intriguing match after the international break
The Reds currently sit at the top of the table, having won six of their seven games so far under new head Arne Slot.
Chelsea, under the guidance of new coach Enzo Maresca, have also made a strong start, currently sitting in fourth place after going unbeaten since their opening-day defeat to Manchester City at Stamford Bridge.
As both clubs navigate the international break, they will be hoping to avoid injury issues.
Liverpool have around 20 players joining their national teams, but they will be without key goalkeeper Alisson Becker, who is sidelined for at least six weeks due to a hamstring tear sustained late in the 1-0 victory against Crystal Palace last weekend.
Caoimhin Kelleher, Alisson’s understudy, has returned to fitness after missing the Palace match due to illness, while Vitezslav Jaros stepped in as a temporary replacement.
Harvey Elliott is also expected to miss the Chelsea match as he continues his recovery from a broken foot sustained during the September international break.
The 21-year-old has missed the last seven matches and has yet to return to full training, though he is back in the gym working on his fitness.
Liverpool hope to have him available during a challenging run of fixtures that includes games against Arsenal, Aston Villa, and German champions Bayer Leverkusen.
Arne Slot will also be awaiting positive news on Alexis Mac Allister, who was substituted at halftime during the win over Crystal Palace due to a groin issue.
Although he travelled with the Argentina squad, Mac Allister was an unused substitute in their 1-1 draw with Venezuela on Thursday.
Argentina will face Bolivia in the early hours of Wednesday morning, and head coach Lionel Scaloni confirmed that Mac Allister has been training separately from his teammates.
In addition, Federico Chiesa was absent from Italy’s squad for the international break due to fitness concerns that kept him out of matches against both Palace and Bologna.
Slot will be hopeful that the forward can return to full fitness in time for the match against Chelsea.
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