Whether Jeremie Frimpong deserves to keep his place will be one of Arne Slot‘s big decisions ahead of Liverpool vs. Chelsea – after a dismal display last time out.
The Reds host struggling Chelsea at Anfield on Saturday with a win potentially enough to secure Champions League football.
Slot and his players know a maximum of four points are required to guarantee a top-five finish, but if they win and Bournemouth fail to beat Fulham the job will already be done.
With that and last weekend’s 3-2 loss at Man United in mind, the head coach knows his team selection is of paramount importance.
Liverpool team news vs. Chelsea: Isak and Mamardashvili could return
Predicted Liverpool XI vs. Chelsea
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, February 28, 2026: Liverpool's Milos Kerkez during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and West Ham United FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
With the stakes high, Liverpool will want to make a statement and effectively tick off their objective for the final games of the season with a big win at Anfield.
To that end, Slot could be tempted to restore his returning players to the starting lineup immediately – but that seems unlikely, at least in Isak’s case.
Freddie Woodman could therefore keep his place over Mamardashvili, with Slot potentially making just one change from the defeat at Old Trafford.
That would likely see Milos Kerkez replace Andy Robertson at left-back, with the vice-captain having started the last three games ahead of his summer departure.
This could then mean Frimpong starts again on the right wing with Cody Gakpo up front – meaning this XI:
Woodman; Jones, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Frimpong, Szoboszlai, Wirtz; Gakpo
However there is certainly scope for more change, particularly with the knowledge that when a goalkeeper resumes full training, he is as close to 100 percent as he can be.
Mamardashvili will certainly start over Woodman if fully fit, which should provide a stronger backbone after the third-choice stopper’s shakier showing against Man United.
With Curtis Jones staying at right-back, there could still be an opportunity to reshuffle in attack with the introduction of Rio Ngumoha for Frimpong.
That could see Dominik Szoboszlai start on the right with Wirtz as No. 10.
Gakpo remains the most likely option up front despite Isak’s improving fitness, with the Swede expected to come in as one of the substitutes:
Mamardashvili; Jones, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Szoboszlai, Wirtz, Ngumoha; Gakpo
As ever, Liverpool’s lineup is subject to late fitness calls and Slot’s tactical approach, but the hope will be that Mamardashvili can start and Isak can at least play a part from the bench.
There will no doubt be a clamour for Ngumoha to come in and, after Frimpong’s anonymous display against Man United, it is difficult to argue against the 17-year-old’s inclusion against his former club.