Chelsea are two points above Liverpool in the Premier League table but are set to be without Marc Cucurella for a period.
Chelsea have suffered a major injury blow in the battle for Champions League qualification.The race for a Premier League top-five finish could go down to the wire this season. Liverpool's defence of their title has been disappointing as they sit only sixth in the table, with their priority shifting to booking their spot in Europe's elite club competition.
With 12 fixtures remaining, Arne Slot's side (42 points) trail Chelsea by two points while fourth-placed Manchester United are three points above Liverpool. Each respective manager will be desperate they can keep their squad fit and lose no key players.
However, reports suggest that Chelsea will have to cope without Marc Cucurella for up to four weeks. The left-back has made 35 appearances for the Stamford Bridge side this season and a senior voice in the dressing room.Cucurella was forced off at half-time in a 2-2 draw against Leeds United last week.
And reports in Cucurella's native Spain suggest that he will be confined to the treatment table for a period. Cadana SER, suggests that the 27-year-old will miss at least three weeks but he could be unavailable for a month.
Speaking after Chelsea’s 4-0 win over Hull City in the FA Cup fourth round, head coach Liam Rosenior was coy on how long Cucurella could be absent. Rosenior said: “He has a hamstring problem. I can't give you a return timeframe right now."
If reports are correct, Cucurella will miss Chelsea’s upcoming matches against Burnley, Premier League leaders Arsenal, third-placed Aston Villa and European hopefuls Newcastle United.
Chelsea are currently without key defender Levi Colwill, who will not play this season after rupturing his ACL, while Jamie Gittens, Filip Jorgensen, Dario Essugo and Romeo Lavia are sidelined. Liverpool are due to welcome Chelsea to Anfield on Saturday 9 May.
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