Liverpool hosts Chelsea in the Premier League with Alexander Isak and Giorgi Mamardashvili back in training again but Arne Slot facing several big decisions at Anfield
04:00, 09 May 2026
Jeremie Frimpong and Alexander Isak.
Jeremie Frimpong and Alexander Isak.(Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool could secure Champions League soccer ahead of next season by beating Chelsea this weekend if results elsewhere go the way of Arne Slot's side.
Hosting Callum McFarlane's men at Anfield, Liverpool is looking to string together a third successive home win after victories over Fulham and Crystal Palace. Last time out, it was beaten 3-2 by Manchester United, though, showing there is still work to be done to get over the line.
In that game, Liverpool was severely lacking a top-class goalkeeper and a center forward, with Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike sidelined. The Swede and Giorgi Mamardashvili could be back in contention again here, however.
READ MORE: Alexander Isak injury boost as Arne Slot offers update on Liverpool strikerREAD MORE: Mohamed Salah injury latest as Arne Slot issues fresh update with Liverpool exit nearing
If Mamardashvili is deemed fit enough, he will be in goal. Curtis Jones has played at right-back in recent games and that experiment could continue, though Jeremie Frimpong and Joe Gomez are alternatives.
Ibrahima Konate missed training earlier this week because of a personal matter, but he should be available to start alongside Virgil van Dijk at the heart of the Liverpool defense.
There is a decision to be made at left-back between the experienced Andy Robertson and the energetic Milos Kerkez, who has been the number one pick for the majority of the campaign.
Arne Slot during a Liverpool training session.
Arne Slot during a Liverpool training session.(Image: Nikki Dyer - Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
In midfield, Florian Wirtz was ill a few days ago but should be fit. Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai are both likely starters, and Alexis Mac Allister could join them to make a three.
Cody Gakpo will be in the team but that could be off the left or down the center depending on whether Isak is an option from the off or to bring on from the sidelines. It remains a dilemma of when and for how long to play the $169 million (£125 million) man as he builds up match sharpness.
A decision will need to be made down the right flank too, where Federico Chiesa doesn't appear to have a genuine chance of starting.
With Mohamed Salah still missing, Frimpong can deputize while Rio Ngumoha has played down that side at times as well, though he is more comfortable on the left.
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"This is our penultimate home game of the season, and we know exactly what is required from us as a team," Van Dijk writes in the official matchday program.
"We have a duty to perform whenever we play for this club, but especially at Anfield, and we are all determined to give you guys something to enjoy and to shout about on Saturday."
Liverpool predicted team to play Chelsea: Mamardashvili; Jones, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Frimpong, Gakpo, Wirtz.