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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. Cojones of Destiny
    • 8 Years
    2 hours, 4 mins ago

    oh man just realized I forgot to play my TC chip loool at me haha ))

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

      Haaland?

      Also don't understand why people just don't press the button asap, instead of waiting. You can cancel it if you need to.

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

        Same with people who forgot to press the BB chip. Just do it.

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      2. Kiwivillan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        2 hours, 1 min ago

        Yeah locked in 4 days ago

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      3. Cojones of Destiny
        • 8 Years
        2 hours, 1 min ago

        yep

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      4. Cojones of Destiny
        • 8 Years
        2 hours, 1 min ago

        no I forgot to push TC entirely))

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        1. JBG
          • 8 Years
          2 hours ago

          Oh okay thats different haha, shame. Kind of waste C this GW then

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          1. Cojones of Destiny
            • 8 Years
            1 hour, 48 mins ago

            well who knows may be blessing in disguise) imagine Haaland getting say just one goal overall

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            1. JBG
              • 8 Years
              1 hour, 46 mins ago

              As a non owner, I'm hoping for a blank so I'll take that even

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              1. Cojones of Destiny
                • 8 Years
                1 hour, 41 mins ago

                no Haaland really ??

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

      Try bench boosting with 14 players with Casemiro no show who I bought for a hit, yeyyy season.

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      1. MikeBravo
        • 7 Years
        1 hour, 7 mins ago

        Unlucky Greg. I brought in Saka for Casemiro. It was a toss-up between getting rid of him or KDH. I got lucky this time, but I think I'll take a break next season. I feel your pain.

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

    Enzo loves a YC

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  3. Sandy Ravage
    • 10 Years
    1 hour, 52 mins ago

    On BB and just seen Okafor's red flagged

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  4. JBG
    • 8 Years
    1 hour, 50 mins ago

    Wtf was that on the goal line? Can't stand the way teams setup now on attacking corners.

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  5. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    1 hour, 50 mins ago

    Caicedo is a talent, but also a dirty, cheating bell.

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  6. Do I Not Like Orange
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    1 hour, 50 mins ago

    Kept Mbeumo for this game. Can't wait to get rid.

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  7. Brosstan
    • 11 Years
    1 hour, 48 mins ago

    So the rumors about Brazil having a deal with United to rest Cunha was pure bs as I said..

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    1. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      1 hour, 46 mins ago

      What if he is subbed at halftime?

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      1. Brosstan
        • 11 Years
        1 hour, 43 mins ago

        Then it might have been only partially bs

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        1. The Bandit
          • 15 Years
          1 hour, 41 mins ago

          Getting rest and time managed does not mean not playing at all. I agree that it’s probably bs though.

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      2. Pompel
        • 12 Years
        1 hour, 42 mins ago

        Enough time for a goal against the beach boys

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        1. The Bandit
          • 15 Years
          1 hour, 41 mins ago

          Wouldn’t it be nice?

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    2. JBG
      • 8 Years
      1 hour, 46 mins ago

      Missing Šeško and Mbuemo out of form.

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  8. Jet5605
    • 11 Years
    1 hour, 43 mins ago

    Excellent week for Palmer and JP sellers and Pool non owners. Enzo owners the only ones doing well so far

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    1. Count of Monte Hristo
      • 13 Years
      54 mins ago

      Enzo owner with Enzo first sub, no so good 😆

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      1. Jet5605
        • 11 Years
        6 mins ago

        Soz, should have said Enzo starters 🙂

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        1. Count of Monte Hristo
          • 13 Years
          1 min ago

          https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2026/05/08/are-palace-players-really-worth-buying-saka-or-gyokeres-fpl-qa?hc_page=1#hc_comment_27631087

          Nobody fancied Enzo

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    2. Mr. O'Connell
      • 13 Years
      53 mins ago

      Was pretty convinced Pedro was getting a hattrick today. Looking like a bad call. Will chalk that one up to variance.

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  9. DeSelby
    • 3 Years
    1 hour, 39 mins ago

    van Dijk screams for a foul then the ref calls it and van Dijk screams at the referee for not playing advantage. You love to see it.

    BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

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  10. el polako
    • 8 Years
    1 hour, 38 mins ago

    Van Dijk you donkey.

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  11. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    1 hour, 38 mins ago

    Liverpool fans have always told me that Pool buys very clever and cheap and refuses to contribute to the money race than the Manchester clubs etc. do. The big spendings before this season was a break with this policy money wise, and were they clever and good value for money?

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    1. el polako
      • 8 Years
      1 hour, 19 mins ago

      They would have been better off doubling Luiz Diaz’s salary.

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      1. RamaJama
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        1 hour, 18 mins ago

        Agree, and maby buying Olise from Palace

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    2. Brosstan
      • 11 Years
      1 hour, 14 mins ago

      Their buying strategy this season completely contradicted how they have been buying before with success. Both Isak and Ekitike are much more rigid players in terms of their role in a team, compared to the players they had success buying. Salah, Mane, Firmino, Diaz. Isak can just do one role, was overpriced and injury prone. Made no sense to splurge on a player who fits better into a mid table team with how you need to set up to utilize him well..

      Honestly, has there been a change of personnel at the sporting director side at Pool?

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      1. RamaJama
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        1 hour, 7 mins ago

        Agree, think their buying strategy looks more like Chelsea

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  12. Dynamic Duos
    • 12 Years
    1 hour, 38 mins ago

    So if Pedro was an option for the bench, he was the answer, I did say

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    1. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      1 hour, 6 mins ago

      He has to leave now for sure

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  13. Count of Monte Hristo
    • 13 Years
    1 hour, 30 mins ago

    Will Enzo goal stay as his? Heard it should be a Fofana goal.

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    1. Brosstan
      • 11 Years
      1 hour, 9 mins ago

      If Fofana had claimed it he would have definitely gotten credit. I think most likely it will stay Enzo goal now even though it shouldnt.

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  14. FantasyClub
    • 5 Years
    1 hour, 28 mins ago

    Was forced to keep Palmer due to Okafor injury, contemplated a hit...would you say i have to play him v Spurs?

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  15. Count of Monte Hristo
    • 13 Years
    1 hour, 18 mins ago

    Climbing rank because of no hits is an added bonus

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  16. SpaceCadet
    • 12 Years
    1 hour, 18 mins ago

    Started Pedro over Tavernier. Tav brace incoming.

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    1. Firminooooo
      • 10 Years
      22 mins ago

      Same. 100£ on Tavernier goal.

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      1. Mr. O'Connell
        • 13 Years
        16 mins ago

        I've made a small fortune backing against my FPL team this last 5 or so weeks. Mortgage is on Brighton CS and Haaland goals today.

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  17. Hughes Your Daddy
    • 13 Years
    1 hour, 3 mins ago

    Brighton goal already

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  18. Mr. O'Connell
    • 13 Years
    1 hour, 2 mins ago

    Hinshelwood G. Stats merchants in heaven.

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  19. Hughes Your Daddy
    • 13 Years
    1 hour, 2 mins ago

    Hinshelwood

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  20. Hughes Your Daddy
    • 13 Years
    1 hour, 2 mins ago

    Wolves very lightweight at the back there

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  21. Hughes Your Daddy
    • 13 Years
    59 mins ago

    2-0 Brighton - Dunk

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