Despite media reports earlier in the week ruling Trent Alexander-Arnold (knee) out for up to a month, the England defender may make a shock return to the Liverpool squad for the visit of Crystal Palace.
Jurgen Klopp said in Friday’s presser about Alexander-Arnold and Georginio Wijnaldum (knee):
Gini and Trent, we will decide day by day. We will see.
For both, it will be really, really close for tomorrow. I don’t want to close any doors before anybody tells me I have to.
The Liverpool boss said of his other injured players:
Dejan [Lovren] is much better than he was but that’s a muscle thing and needs time. I’m pretty sure he can be involved against Leicester.
Joe [Gomez], no, improving, we hope it will be quick from now on. Joel [Matip] has trained normally for ten days.
Adam [Lallana] trained yesterday and the day before yesterday, so he should be in contention. We have to see. I’ll wait for the session today, how he reacted to the two – not too tough – sessions, but we did a little bit.
Liverpool will be up against a Crystal Palace side without Vicente Guaita and Wayne Hennessey (muscle problems), so 39-year-old Julian Speroni looks set to start between the sticks.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek (back) is Chelsea’s only confirmed absentee, with Alvaro Morata (hamstring) available for selection.
Maurizio Sarri, however, seemed to imply that Eden Hazard would start centrally, saying the following:
Tomorrow will be a very difficult match for the defensive phase, so we need our team to be balanced on the pitch.
The Chelsea head coach had previously said that he prefers Hazard as the spearhead of the Chelsea attack as it helps make his side more secure at the back.
Arsenal only have Henrikh Mkhitaryan (ankle), Rob Holding (ACL) and Danny Welbeck (ankle) unavailable, though the fit-again Mesut Ozil‘s involvement is still in question.
Unai Emery said yesterday:
He didn’t play the last matches but to me, he’s just like any other player. This Saturday he can be with us if he’s okay. He’s training consistently with his work over the past two weeks and I think he can be [involved].
The player himself took to social media on Friday to say that he was “feeling good and confident”.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hopes to have Alexis Sanchez (hamstring) available for Saturday’s visit of Brighton, with the Chilean having returned to training this week.
The Seagulls will again be without Bernardo (hamstring) and Jose Izquierdo (knee).
Benjamin Mendy (knee) isn’t quite ready to feature for Manchester City against Huddersfield, who will have interim boss Mark Hudson in charge.
Moussa Sissoko (groin) has joined Harry Kane (ankle) on the sidelines for Spurs’ match against Fulham, while Son Heung-min has now departed for the Asian Cup.
Lucas Moura (knee) was said to have commenced “on-field rehabilitation” on Friday, so looks unlikely to feature.
Marko Arnautovic had been passed fit to play against Bournemouth this weekend but the Austrian was reportedly not part of the travelling party on Friday and looks set to miss out.
The Cherries have concerns over their own star striker, with Callum Wilson (hamstring) needing a late fitness test ahead of the visit of the Hammers.
Phil Jagielka is Everton’s only confirmed injured-related absentee, with Marco Silva again reiterating in his press conference that Richarlison is an option up front or on the left flank.
Danny Ings looks set to return for Southampton, meanwhile.
Will Hughes (concussion) is a major concern for Watford ahead of the visit of Burnley, who still have worries over Johann Berg Gudmundsson (thigh).
Loan signing Oumar Niasse could be part of Cardiff’s squad as they head north to Newcastle, with Neil Warnock also positive about the fitness of Victor Camarasa (knock).
The Magpies will make late checks on a cluster of players, including Jamaal Lascelles (hamstring).
Jonny Evans (toe) could make a quick return for Leicester against Wolves, who will be without the suspended Willy Boly.
Claudio Ranieri reported no new injuries in the Fulham camp, meanwhile.
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