Chelsea vs Liverpool team news: Both sides sweating on defenders’ fitness

Maurizio Sarri has confirmed that a number of his players have had very little training ahead of Chelsea’s second clash with Liverpool in a matter of days.

Toni Ruddier is perhaps the biggest doubt due to injury, while Andreas Christensen was forced off at Anfield in the week because of illness. In the potential absence of both players, Gary Cahill is in line to start for the first time in the league this season having come through 90 minutes in the cup meeting between these two sides on Wednesday.

Elsewhere the coach revealed that both Pedro and Ruben Loftus-Cheek returned to training late in the week and could have a chance of making the matchday squad.

As far as Liverpool are concerned, the main dilemma revolves around star centre-back Virgil van Dijk, who exacerbated an existing rib injury against former club Southampton.

Jurgen Klopp confirmed that the Dutchman has not trained all week in his pre-match press with the club’s official website, but did intimate that he was willing to take the risk on the defender’s fitness.

“Iif Virgil is fit and can play then he will play, but if not then obviously we have options and that’s really good. His [Van Dijk’s] impact is always obvious, but we could play football before Virgil van Dijk and we can play without Virgil, thank God”, said Klopp.

"But I prefer that he is fit and available and I can make decisions, if he needs a rest or not in one of the other games. For the last game he was not available but now we will see for tomorrow."

There was more positive news, however, as the Reds boss confirmed that both Trent Alexander-Arnold and Gini Wijnaldum have returned to training and are in contention for the trip to Chelsea.