Overview

• Liverpool confirmed Alisson has a hamstring injury and will miss upcoming matches, with Giorgi Mamardashvili set for his first Premier League start in goal.
• The champions arrive at Stamford Bridge on a two-game slide after losses to Crystal Palace and Galatasaray yet remain top of the early table.
• Slot says teams scoring from dead balls is the Premier League’s new reality, with four of Liverpool’s seven league goals against coming from set-pieces.
• Short-handed Chelsea have multiple injuries and suspensions and have received three red cards in their past four games, drawing scrutiny of their discipline.
• Slot framed the club’s near £450m summer spend as a push to improve open-play threat, while the wider weekend narrative features pressure on Man United’s Ruben Amorim and Ally McCoist tipping Arsenal for the title.