Liverpool are back in action this weekend, looking to bounce back from last Sunday's hard-fought 3-2 defeat to Manchester United. Manager Arne Slot is demanding a strong response from his squad as they welcome Chelsea to Anfield, where three points would secure Champions League football for next season.

Before that setback at Old Trafford, the Reds had been in fine form, stringing together three consecutive wins against Fulham, Everton, and Crystal Palace. Now, they face a Chelsea side in crisis—the visitors have lost their last six Premier League matches, managing just a single goal in that dismal run. Interim boss Calum McFarlane remains in the dugout following Liam Rosenior's dismissal after a 3-0 loss to Brighton two weeks ago.

There's positive news on the team sheet for Liverpool fans. Giorgi Mamardashvili returned to training yesterday and could replace Freddie Woodman between the posts, with Alisson Becker still sidelined. Defensive stalwart Ibrahima Konate is available after a brief injury scare this week, and Florian Wirtz has also recovered from an illness that kept him out of Wednesday's session.

Alexander Isak is back in training and pushing for a return, though Mohamed Salah will miss out on this occasion. On the injury front, Giovanni Leoni, Conor Bradley, Wataru Endo, Stefan Bajcetic, Jayden Danns, and Hugo Ekitike remain long-term absentees.

Liverpool Starting XI: Mamardashvili, Jones, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Frimpong, Gakpo, Ngumoha.