Overview

• Liverpool look to avoid a third straight loss for the first time under Arne Slot after defeats to Crystal Palace and Galatasaray.
• Alisson has a hamstring injury and is expected to miss several weeks, with summer signing Giorgi Mamardashvili set for a testing league debut in goal.
• Set-piece vulnerability and a sharp drop in save percentage have underpinned Liverpool’s defensive slide, increasing the need for better protection of their goalkeeper.
• Chelsea contend with a lengthy injury list and recent disciplinary issues, with Trevoh Chalobah suspended and multiple players sidelined, after three red cards in their last four games.
• Slot defended Liverpool’s near-£450m summer spend as a plan to improve open-play threat, while selection and integration questions persist for new arrivals such as Florian Wirtz; separately, media reports suggest Manchester United’s Ruben Amorim faces job pressure if they lose to Sunderland.