Chelsea XI vs Liverpool: Starting lineup, confirmed team news, injury latest for Premier League today | OneFootball

Blues facing defensive crisis for visit of reigning champions to Stamford Bridge

Your matchday briefing on Chelsea, featuring team news and expert analysis from Dom Smith

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Chelsea have eight players out for tonight’s visit of Premier League champions Liverpool.

The top-flight leaders are the visitors to Stamford Bridge in the evening kick-off, and Blues boss Enzo Maresca must again contend with a shrunken squad following a spate of injuries.

Chelsea also have Trevoh Chalobah unavailable as he serves a suspension following his red card in the 3-1 defeat by Brighton.

That means Maresca has opted for Benoit Badiashile and 19-year-old Josh Acheampong as his centre-back pairing to try and stop Liverpool.

Cole Palmer is out until after the international break with his persistent groin injury.

Maresca has brought Reece James into midfield and selected Enzo Fernandez as a No10, pushing Joao Pedro back into the No9 role after a couple of disappointing performances by Tyrique George when deputising as a striker.

Midfielder Andrey Santos is also out until after the international break, and Liam Delap and Dario Essugo are long-term absentees.

Chelsea XI: Sanchez; Gusto, Acheampong, Badiashile, Cucurella; James (c), Caicedo; Pedro Neto, Fernandez, Garnacho; Joao Pedro

Substitutes: Jorgensen, Slonina, Hato, Emenalo, Lavia, Buonanotte, Gittens, Estevao Willian, Guiu