Liverpool are stepping into one of the biggest fixtures of the season against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, but even before the ball is kicked, drama has already taken over. Two of Liverpool’s star players are facing late fitness tests that could define how the team approaches the game, and at the same time, Arne Slot is dealing with the weight of injuries, pressure, and expectation as he looks for a response after back-to-back defeats. Chelsea, meanwhile, are going into the game with nine of their own players missing, but for Liverpool, the uncertainty around Hugo Ekitike and Federico Chiesa has become the story everyone is watching.
The news hit on Friday evening when Slot stepped into the AXA Training Centre press room to face the journalists. With cameras flashing and microphones pushed forward, he delivered updates that carried both relief and tension. The first headline was clear: Liverpool’s number one goalkeeper Alisson Becker will not be available for the trip to Chelsea. That alone was enough to shake the supporters. Alisson has been the foundation of Liverpool’s defence for years, and every time he is missing, there is a sense of vulnerability in the air. This time, however, there was no avoiding it. His injury against Galatasaray left Giorgi Mamardashvili to step up. The big Georgian goalkeeper has waited a long time for his Premier League debut, and now, at Stamford Bridge, his moment has finally come.
But Alisson’s absence wasn’t the only concern. The question everyone wanted an answer to was about Hugo Ekitike and Federico Chiesa. Liverpool’s attack has looked blunt in recent weeks. Goals have not been flowing, and confidence in the final third has dropped. Arne Slot himself admitted that Mohamed Salah, the star of this team for years, is “out of form” and struggling to make the same impact he once did. In moments like these, the importance of squad depth becomes clear, and that is why Ekitike and Chiesa being fit could make the difference between another defeat and a statement victory.
Slot explained that Ekitike had been carrying a hamstring problem, but the good news was that the issue was not as serious as first feared. “Hugo is going to train today again and let’s see where he is,” Slot said. It was the type of answer that gave hope but also kept nerves alive. A late fitness test on Friday would decide if the young French striker could play a part. For Federico Chiesa, it was the same story. The Italian missed the midweek Champions League trip to Turkey, and now his involvement depends on how his body responds in training. Slot kept it simple: “The same can be said of Federico. We have to wait and see after the session.”
Liverpool fans know how much of a boost these two attackers could provide. Alexander Isak, the club’s record signing, is the obvious starter and has carried the weight of leading the line. But having Ekitike and Chiesa as options from the bench would transform the dynamic. This season alone, Liverpool have already scored four goals from substitutes, showing that the depth of the squad can swing games. Without them, however, the Reds look stretched.
The supporters have been left hoping, crossing their fingers, waiting for updates that will only come hours before kick-off. Stamford Bridge under the lights, Liverpool desperate for three points, Chelsea equally hungry—it feels like one of those nights where every small detail matters.
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Chelsea’s problems are clear, too. The Blues are missing nine players due to injuries and suspensions. The likes of Cole Palmer, Liam Delap, and Trevoh Chalobah are among those unavailable. On paper, that weakens them, but Liverpool have learned countless times that wounded teams can be dangerous. Stamford Bridge has often been a difficult place for Liverpool, and no matter how bad Chelsea’s form has been, this game will never be simple.
Arne Slot’s task goes beyond injuries. The pressure is mounting. Liverpool have lost twice in the space of a week—first against Galatasaray in the Champions League, then in the league—and the performances have raised questions. Supporters and pundits alike have started suggesting that Slot needs to “go back to basics.” Too often this season, Liverpool have looked wide open in midfield. Florian Wirtz, the German playmaker signed to add creativity, has worked hard, but his role high up the pitch has left spaces behind. Opponents have exploited those gaps, breaking quickly and putting pressure on a defence that is still trying to find rhythm.
Writers at *This Is Anfield* even pointed out that Liverpool could regain control if Slot deployed a midfield of Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Alexis Mac Allister. That trio would provide more balance, more defensive cover, and hopefully stop opposition players from running through too easily. Against Chelsea, who boast Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo in midfield, control will be everything.
And then there’s the Salah question. Mohamed Salah has been Liverpool’s hero for years, the man who scores goals in the biggest moments. But this season, the Egyptian has looked off his best. Slot admitted it openly: Salah is out of form. But he insisted it was not just Salah’s fault—it was the whole team’s struggle to score from open play. Still, fans are desperate for Salah to rise again, and there is no stage bigger than Stamford Bridge to remind the world of who he is.
Other storylines add to the drama. Federico Chiesa, despite his role at Liverpool growing, has once again been left out of the Italy national team squad. It is a strange situation, and many wonder if Roberto Mancini simply does not trust him anymore. For Liverpool, though, Chiesa remains important, even if his body has not always allowed him to show his best. His return on Saturday, if it happens, could be a game-changer.
There was at least one bright spot for the club this week. Dominik Szoboszlai was named Liverpool’s Player of the Month for August. His energy, versatility, and performances have made him one of the most consistent players in the squad. He has played almost every role in midfield, and some fans joked that the only position he has not tried yet is goalkeeper—although with Alisson injured, maybe even that could change.
But the mood around Liverpool right now is tense. The memory of the Galatasaray defeat still hangs heavy, and the frustration from the fans is visible. They want to see fight, control, and goals. They want to see Slot proving he has the answers. And they want to see players like Ekitike and Chiesa stepping up, Salah rediscovering himself, and Mamardashvili showing he can be trusted in goal.
Football, though, is never predictable. The beauty and pain of it is that all the analysis, all the preparation, can be thrown away in one moment—one mistake, one goal, one injury. Liverpool know that better than anyone. Stamford Bridge has given them heartbreak before, but it has also given them nights to remember. On Saturday, with the uncertainty of two late fitness tests, the spotlight is once again firmly on them.
This match is not just about three points. It’s about momentum, belief, and the start of October defining the tone for the months ahead. Slot cannot afford a third straight defeat. Liverpool cannot afford to fall further behind in the Premier League race. And players like Ekitike and Chiesa, if passed fit, cannot afford to waste the chance to make themselves heroes.
For now, all the fans can do is wait. Wait for the team news to drop, wait for the answers to the fitness questions, and wait for Liverpool to show whether they are ready to fight. Stamford Bridge awaits, and with it, one of the most dramatic nights of the season
