Liverpool v Chelsea LIVE: Crisis-hit Blues head to Anfield for crucial Premier League clash in European race

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SportFootballLiverpool v Chelsea LIVE: Crisis-hit Blues head to Anfield for crucial Premier League clash in European raceThe Reds can all but secure their place in next season’s Champions League but Chelsea are in desperate need of three points to boost their own European hopes (Getty)Liverpool vs Chelsea teamsHere’s a reminder of today’s team news.Rio Ngumoha starts for Liverpool, with Florian Wirtz out ill and Alexander Isak only deemed fit enough for the bench.Levi Colwill starts his first game this season for Chelsea after recovering from injury but Reece James is only on the bench. They’re still bereft of wingers due to injury, so who knows how they’ll line up...Liverpool XI: Mamardashvili; Jones, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Frimpong, Szoboszlai, Ngumoha; Gakpo Chelsea XI: Jorgenson; Gusto, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella, Hato; Caicedo, Santos, Enzo; Palmer, PedroLuke Baker9 May 2026 12:28The Jurgen Klopp blueprint Arne Slot must follow to rescue floundering LiverpoolWhile things haven’t been quite as catastrophic at Liverpool, it’s been a hugely disappointing title defence for the Reds.Richard Jolly digs into how they can sort the problems out and Arne Slot can save his job:Luke Baker9 May 2026 12:22McFarlane insists Chelsea players haven't down toolsInterim boss Calum McFarlane has denied accusations that Chelsea’s players have ‘downed tools’ this season.

“The performances haven’t been good enough, we’re in a really bad run at the moment.“But I do see these boys every day, every training session, every meeting, in the gym, they are in a good place to go and attack games.“We just haven’t been able to translate that on the game on Monday, so hopefully we can improve that on Saturday.”Chelsea have been in diabolical form (Reuters)Luke Baker9 May 2026 12:17Arne Slot explains why Florian Wirtz not in the Liverpool squadFlorian Wirtz isn’t in the Liverpool squad today and Arne Slot has explained the German’s absence.Speaking to TNT Sports pre-match, Slot said: “He tried everything to be in it. He tried earlier in the week to train, but in the end things got worse and he wasn’t able to train with us yesterday and isn’t able to be with us today.”Florian Wirtz isn’t the squad today (PA Wire)Luke Baker9 May 2026 12:07Calum McFarlane: 'We have a lot of faith in Filip Jorgensen'Interim Chelsea boss Calum McFarlane has spoken to TNT Sports ahead of today’s clash about his team selection, including injuries, the return of Levi Colwill and back-up Filip Jorgensen starting in goal.On the lack of wingers available in the squad: “There's nothing we can do about that.

There will be an interim manager in the Chelsea dugout today; not for the first time in this fixture, given that Saltor’s only game in charge, following Graham Potter’s sacking and before Frank Lampard became a slightly more permanent caretaker, was a 0-0 draw against Liverpool in 2023.If their owners are engaging in the “self-reflection” they promised after Liam Rosenior’s sacking, they may care to note that as many people have taken charge of Chelsea in their four-year ownership – eight – as have led Liverpool this millennium; and that is including Phil Thompson, who only assumed the reins because Gerard Houllier was ill.Or perhaps, still convinced of their genius, they are simultaneously preparing their next managerial appointment while finding more loopholes to avoid breaching financial regulations now it is apparent they won’t have Champions League football next season; something for which Liverpool, whose passage back into Europe has been eased by Chelsea’s run of six straight defeats, can be very grateful.Read Richard Jolly’s full analysis of the Chelsea mess:Luke Baker9 May 2026 11:50Colwill's return a huge boost for Chelsea but Wirtz a miss for LiverpoolOur Senior Football Correspondent Richard Jolly is at Anfield to day and has given his take on the line-ups.Levi Colwill gets his first start of the season for Chelsea and, among the many things have gone wrong this season, his absence for nearly all of it has been one. They do at least have Giorgi Mamardashvili back while Rio Ngumoha makes just his third Premier League start against his former club.Liverpool XI: Mamardashvili; Jones, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Frimpong, Szoboszlai, Ngumoha; Gakpo Chelsea XI: Jorgenson; Gusto, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella, Hato; Caicedo, Santos, Enzo; Palmer, PedroRichard Jolly at Anfield9 May 2026 11:36Chelsea team news - James on the bench, Colwill startsThis is Chelsea’s line-up today.