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Liverpool v Chelsea team news: Wirtz out, Isak a sub

9 May 2026 210 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
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Two of the season’s biggest underachievers meet at Anfield in the Gameweek 36 curtain-raiser.

Liverpool v Chelsea kicks off at 12:30pm BST.

A win for the Reds would all but seal UEFA Champions League qualification, with Bournemouth, the only team that could then catch them, having an inferior goal difference.

As for Chelsea, defeat would all but end their Champions League hopes. Already out of reach of fifth spot, they’d be rank outsiders for sixth place without a positive result today.

Remember, sixth could end up being enough to qualify for Europe’s top-tier competition in 2026/27.

TEAM NEWS

Arne Slot makes three changes from the side that lost to Manchester United last weekend.

Giorgi Mamardashvili returns in goal after recovering from injury, so Freddie Woodman makes way.

There’s the expected change at left-back, too, with Milos Kerkez replacing Andrew Robertson.

The other alteration is an enforced one, as Florian Wirtz misses out with a stomach bug. The German had missed training in midweek but had actually returned to the grass by Thursday.

Rio Ngumoha starts in his place.

Alexander Isak is back on the bench after a brief absence, meanwhile.

Mohamed Salah and Alisson, described as “close” to a return to training on Friday, remain out.

As for Chelsea, interim boss Calum McFarlane makes five changes from the defeat to Nottingham Forest.

The fit-again Levi Colwill gets his first start of the season, while Jorrel Hato and Wesley Fofana also come in to a new-look defence.

Andrey Santos is brought into midfield, as Filip Jorgensen gets the nod between the posts.

Trevoh Chalobah, Tosin Adarabioyo and Romeo Lavia drop to the bench, while Robert Sanchez and teenage attacker Jesse Derry miss out with head injuries.

Reece James has to make do with substitute duty again.

Thanks to the chronic shortage of fit wingers, it looks like Cole Palmer and Marc Cucurella are tasked with the wide-midfield roles today.

LINE-UPS

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

Subs: Woodman, Gomez, Isak, Chiesa, Robertson, Nyoni, Morrison, Wright, Ndiaye.

Chelsea XI: Jorgensen, Gusto, Fofana, Colwill, Hato, Andrey Santos, Caicedo, Palmer, Fernandez, Cucurella, Joao Pedro.

Subs: Slonina, James, Acheampong, Adarabioyo, Chalobah, Lavia, Eboue, Kavuma-McQueen, Delap.

price change predictions
210 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. jay01
    • 11 Years
    3 hours, 40 mins ago

    Does anyone know how mini leagues are decided if two teams are on the same points?

    Is it by no. Transfers and if that’s the same anything else?

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    1. Dynamic Duos
      • 12 Years
      3 hours, 36 mins ago

      If it run privately then they may have there own rules. I believe in public leagues it transfers

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      1. Dynamic Duos
        • 12 Years
        3 hours, 36 mins ago

        Their *

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    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      3 hours, 32 mins ago

      Just transfers.

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    3. Brosstan
      • 11 Years
      2 hours, 35 mins ago

      Its a draw if you have the same points and transfers. You will have the exact same position in leagues.

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  2. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 hours, 36 mins ago

    Effective ownership:
    Haaland 224.6
    B.Fernandes 99.0
    O'Reilly 93.9
    Gabriel 91.4
    Van Hecke 74.4
    Verbruggen 70.5
    Saka 60
    Cherki 51.2
    Groß 50.7
    Semenyo 49
    Calvert-Lewin 39.7
    João Pedro 34.3
    Tavernier 26
    Lacroix 25.1
    Senesi 20.6
    Welbeck 17.9
    Raya 17.2
    Gyökeres 15.1
    Palmer 12.1
    Rogers 11.7
    Muñoz 11.7
    Hill 10.4

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    1. The Philosopher
      • 5 Years
      3 hours, 19 mins ago

      Have 6/10 of the Top 10. Season over.

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      1. Mr. O'Connell
        • 13 Years
        3 hours, 18 mins ago

        3 here. Season was over 5 weeks ago for me, though.

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      2. RamaJama
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 hours, 17 mins ago

        Same

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        1. RamaJama
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 hours, 11 mins ago

          Ah, 8 of 10

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      3. Pompel
        • 12 Years
        3 hours, 8 mins ago

        7/10 here, no chance of gaining rank.
        Might ofc have captained Cerki or NOR

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    2. Qaiss
      • 10 Years
      3 hours, 16 mins ago

      Semenyo Cherki is a complete coin toss

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    3. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      3 hours, 11 mins ago

      Joke. I’m effectively playing with 7 players 🙄

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      1. The Bandit
        • 15 Years
        2 hours, 37 mins ago

        Although it seems 6 of them are diffs, so all good.

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    4. lilmessipran
      • 13 Years
      3 hours, 5 mins ago

      Yo Haaland 224? Dam

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    5. lilmessipran
      • 13 Years
      3 hours, 4 mins ago

      That 140 percent EO brighton defence gonna sting when they keep a clean vs Wolves

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      1. Mr. O'Connell
        • 13 Years
        3 hours, 3 mins ago

        I just need Wolves to score and 2 Haaland blanks and I've got a chance this week.

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    6. Brosstan
      • 11 Years
      2 hours, 17 mins ago

      I have the top 8 players lol....

      Cant hope for points from Haaland(c) or Bruno (the points for the goalscorer or assister make his points negative), O'Reilly irrelevant, brighton clean irrelevant.

      Fun game

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  3. JBG
    • 8 Years
    3 hours, 34 mins ago

    Wow Liverpool - Chelsea as the early kick off, can't remember last time such "huge match" was the early kick off.

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  4. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 hours, 27 mins ago

    Easy match for Liverpool against that Chelsea lineup, or can we expect a new manager boost from Chelsea and another day off for Liverpool?

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    1. JBG
      • 8 Years
      3 hours, 10 mins ago

      Neither team on fire lately, maybe Pool a bit better. But both defences are awful, maybe a goalfest? But yeah Pool should win it

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  5. CoracAld2831
    • 5 Years
    3 hours, 18 mins ago

    Rolled to 2 FT with triple City and Palace.

    Haaland T©, Cherki vc.

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    1. CoracAld2831
      • 5 Years
      3 hours, 2 mins ago

      Good luck everyone.

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      1. RamaJama
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 hours, 2 mins ago

        Sounds strong, GL!

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    2. RICICLE
      • 3 Years
      3 hours ago

      k

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  6. CoracAld2831
    • 5 Years
    3 hours, 7 mins ago

    Anyone thinking doing Bruno to Saka for free for GW37?

    Would be the only way viable to keep Haaland.

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    1. CoracAld2831
      • 5 Years
      2 hours, 52 mins ago

      *of

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    2. Utopsis
      • 6 Years
      2 hours, 45 mins ago

      Bruno is currently my captain.

      Put the phone down

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      1. FPL Blow-In
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 hours, 43 mins ago

        Same. Why sell the most in form player in the game?

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        1. CoracAld2831
          • 5 Years
          2 hours, 35 mins ago

          Because Saka has Burnley at home and he would be captained in this case.

          It's early days, i might get Saliba instead.

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  7. JBG
    • 8 Years
    3 hours, 4 mins ago

    Well that didn't take too long

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    1. JBG
      • 8 Years
      2 hours, 48 mins ago

      Great goal by Grav

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  8. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    3 hours, 3 mins ago

    Nice goal Grav

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  9. JBG
    • 8 Years
    3 hours, 2 mins ago

    On second thought... GKer should've save that imo.

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    1. Utopsis
      • 6 Years
      2 hours, 45 mins ago

      Maybe Donnarumma or Allison - for mere mortals, too much power on the shot

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  10. Dynamic Duos
    • 12 Years
    2 hours, 58 mins ago

    Mcfarlane should just stick to cartoons

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  11. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    2 hours, 58 mins ago

    Jorge looking shaky

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  12. JBG
    • 8 Years
    2 hours, 58 mins ago

    Chelsea probably should've used some of that billion pounds they've spent to buy an actual good GKer.

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  13. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    2 hours, 58 mins ago

    Oh Virg 🙁

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    1. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      2 hours, 42 mins ago

      Probably offside

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    2. JBG
      • 8 Years
      2 hours, 42 mins ago

      Probably offside anyways

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      1. The Bandit
        • 15 Years
        2 hours, 8 mins ago

        Very tight between Virg shoulder and Enzo foot

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  14. FPL Blow-In
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 hours, 57 mins ago

    Virgin should do better

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    1. Utopsis
      • 6 Years
      2 hours, 40 mins ago

      It's a poor miss indeed

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  15. Supersonic_
    • 4 Years
    2 hours, 57 mins ago

    Palmer and Hill to Saka and Saliba -4 next gameweek?

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  16. The Knights Template
    • 12 Years
    2 hours, 56 mins ago

    This could get ugly!

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  17. Dynamic Duos
    • 12 Years
    2 hours, 54 mins ago

    No European football for Chelsea next season, that ship is well and truly sinking!!

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    1. Bobby Digital
      • 8 Years
      2 hours, 50 mins ago

      Spurs say hello

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      1. Dynamic Duos
        • 12 Years
        2 hours, 42 mins ago

        London town is burning down

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    2. WiredWeasel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 hours, 37 mins ago

      I thought that, then remembered that if they win the FA Cup they get Europa League

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      1. Dynamic Duos
        • 12 Years
        2 hours, 36 mins ago

        Haha they play City right?

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        1. WiredWeasel
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          2 hours, 18 mins ago

          Yep, but it would be just like them to bother to put in an effort for that and win it, just like they beat PSG. It shouldn't happen, but it could.

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    3. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 hours, 29 mins ago

      Could still win FA Cup for EL place.

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  18. Nightcrawler
    • 6 Years
    2 hours, 52 mins ago

    Chelsea were in the "title race" in December

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  19. Moon Dog
      2 hours, 50 mins ago

      Caicedo is marking Szoboszlai so closely, that when Szobo sinks deep between the CBs Caicedo becomes Chelsea's most advanced player for a moment 😆

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    • JBG
      • 8 Years
      2 hours, 45 mins ago

      This Rio Ngumoha seems like a pretty good talent tbf. Ball stuck to his feet when dribbling.

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      1. FPL Blow-In
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 hours, 29 mins ago

        Yeah seems an exciting talent

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      2. _Greg
        • 16 Years
        2 hours, 12 mins ago

        Looks their best player bar Szoboszlai

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    • JBG
      • 8 Years
      2 hours, 34 mins ago

      1-1 Enzo assist or goal

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      1. z13
          2 hours, 18 mins ago

          Get in!

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        • JBG
          • 8 Years
          2 hours, 18 mins ago

          Probably goal

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      2. Mr. O'Connell
        • 13 Years
        2 hours, 33 mins ago

        Pedro IIC

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      3. Sailboats
        • 10 Years
        2 hours, 33 mins ago

        1-1 game on. Could be Enzo goal

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      4. lilmessipran
        • 13 Years
        2 hours, 32 mins ago

        Assist for enzo goal?

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        1. tutankamun
          • 16 Years
          2 hours, 16 mins ago

          Fofana was fouled

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      5. JBG
        • 8 Years
        2 hours, 31 mins ago

        Enzo goal given it seems

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        1. FPL Blow-In
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          2 hours, 16 mins ago

          Who was fouled for the free?

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        2. JBG
          • 8 Years
          2 hours, 16 mins ago

          Fofana assist

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          1. g40steve
            • 8 Years
            1 hour, 23 mins ago

            Fofana G on replay

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      6. Bigbars
        • 15 Years
        2 hours, 31 mins ago

        Defo a fofana goal

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        1. Gubby-Allen
          • 4 Years
          2 hours, 14 mins ago

          Every time I see it, seems an obvious touch on the ball.

          Fletcher could turn anything into 'banter'

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        2. Utopsis
          • 6 Years
          2 hours, 14 mins ago

          Never in a million Sundays

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          1. Utopsis
            • 6 Years
            1 hour, 40 mins ago

            Not in a month of Sundays!

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        3. DARE TO BISCAN
          • 7 Years
          2 hours, 13 mins ago

          Bope

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          1. DARE TO BISCAN
            • 7 Years
            1 hour, 40 mins ago

            *nope lol

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        4. _Greg
          • 16 Years
          2 hours, 13 mins ago

          The commentators are blind Fofana gets a whiff definitely

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        5. Bobby Digital
          • 8 Years
          2 hours, 12 mins ago

          That last angle clearly showed that Fofana didn't touch it

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          1. _Greg
            • 16 Years
            1 hour, 37 mins ago

            Watch the ball change direction

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          2. Bigbars
            • 15 Years
            1 hour, 37 mins ago

            and you see the rotation of the ball speed up slightly from the touch

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            1. _Greg
              • 16 Years
              1 hour, 34 mins ago

              Fofana won't claim it so it will remain Enzo's, doubt there's any Fofana owners, Enzo owners slightly lucky that's all.

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              1. Bigbars
                • 15 Years
                1 hour, 32 mins ago

                thats why i'm hoping it goes to fofana, dont need enzo owners to get a jammy 5 points, i can take an assist

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                1. _Greg
                  • 16 Years
                  1 hour, 28 mins ago

                  Unless a big rival in your ML has Enzo it's probably inconsequential.

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                  1. Bigbars
                    • 15 Years
                    1 hour, 17 mins ago

                    true, the person 2 places above me has enzo first on the bench so just in case he gets subbed on... but we love to moan. Where would the fun be if we didnt...
                    The beauty of FPL, well one beauty.. is that you want any player your rivals have to fail.

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        6. g40steve
          • 8 Years
          1 hour, 55 mins ago

          Good eyes correct

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      7. Sailboats
        • 10 Years
        2 hours, 30 mins ago

        Liverpool struggling against a poor Chelsea side. Both teams are so bad

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        1. JBG
          • 8 Years
          2 hours, 14 mins ago

          Throwback to the 90s this XD

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      8. JBG
        • 8 Years
        2 hours, 30 mins ago

        Enzo huge miss 1 on 1, should've been 2-1

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      9. _Greg
        • 16 Years
        2 hours, 28 mins ago

        Liverpool Vs Chelsea low stakes, big fun!

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      10. Atimis
        • 9 Years
        2 hours, 27 mins ago

        Told some folks to start Enzo over Tav

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