Chelsea handed injury update as Arne Slot puts Liverpool plan together

Chelsea full-back Reece James could be back in contention to start as Enzo Maresca's side comes to Liverpool this weekend. In the future, though, the England international's fitness will need to be carefully managed.

Often compared to Trent Alexander-Arnold given the two are from the same country and play the same role, James' potential has never been fully realized because of a long history of injury troubles. And even he does play a part at Anfield , Chelsea has conceded that he won't be able to play three games a week because of putting too much strain on his body.

"In this moment, it can be the solution: one game a week," Maresca said ahead of the Liverpool game. "In the future? I don't know. If we want to build his physical solution, it's to go slowly — slowly to use once a week."

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Liverpool will be without a key player of its own with Alisson Becker set to be sidelined for a while with a hamstring issue. Harvey Elliott is still working his way back after a foot injury while Alexis Mac Allister picked up a minor groin problem against Crystal Palace .

Kostas Tsimikas was ill during the international break and didn't appear to be in training yesterday, though Andy Robertson would be likely to come back into the starting XI regardless. There is also a decision to be made between Luis Diaz , who was away in South America during the international period, or Cody Gakpo , who made a couple of appearances for the Netherlands.

Liverpool.com says: You have to feel for James. He is an excellent player but he just can't seem to get any luck when it comes to staying fit. He could play against Liverpool but it would be a gamble to throw him straight back in. More likely, it will be Malo Gusto.

As Arne Slot formulates his plan for Chelsea, Gusto will be a key player to stop. He has been coming inside and playing as an inverted full-back for Maresca this season and that is something that Liverpool will need to be ready for.