Chelsea are back in action in the Premier League on Sunday, and face a mammoth task with a trip to face Liverpool at Anfield. Arne Slot's side have made a great start to the season, sitting top of the table after winning six of their first seven games, a home defeat against Nottingham Forest the only blot on their copy book.

The Blues, meanwhile, have made perhaps a better start under Enzo Maresca than many expected, sitting fourth in the table after another summer of turnover on and off the pitch at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea are now unbeaten in their last seven games in all competitions, but will be hoping to get back to winning ways after struggling to a draw against Forest last time out at home.

Maresca will be keen to call upon his strongest possible team for the clash against Liverpool, in a game which the Blues have struggled in over recent years. Chelsea have just two wins in the last 17 games between the teams - a 2-0 home win in the FA Cup under Frank Lampard's management in 2020, and a 1-0 win away in March 2021 with Mason Mount scoring the decisive goal.

Chelsea will have to be tighter defensively than their last appearance at Anfield, in which Jurgen Klopp's side blew away the opposition in a 4-1 win. Much has changed since that defeat back in January, with only four of the starters from that day arguably among Maresca's first-choice team so far this season.

Injuries and illness permitting over the next few days, Maresca looks likely to be picking from almost a full contingent for the clash at Anfield, strengthening his hand ahead of a vital clash. However, the Blues are guaranteed to be without three players already, causing a slight issue.

As has been the case throughout Maresca's time in charge, club captain Reece James will not be available for selection. The 24-year-old is rumoured to be returning to training sooner rather than later, but the club are not going to be taking any risks in rushing the defender back after so many issues in his recent history.

In addition to James, Chelsea will be without two other defenders - both of whom have started all seven Premier League games this season. Unfortunately for the Blues, Wesley Fofana and Marc Cucurella will both be absent due to suspension, with each defender having picked up five yellow cards already.

Maresca has one obvious replacement for his absent duo, with Renato Veiga making some fine cameo appearances already this season. Meanwhile, there will be a battle in training this week to try and fill the void left by Fofana in the centre of defence.

The former Leicester defender has formed a strong partnership already with Levi Colwill, but the likes of Tosin Adarabioyo, Axel Disasi and Benoit Badiashile will be hoping to lay down a marker for the rest of the season by stepping in and putting in a dominant performance against the Premier League leaders.

Elsewhere, there will be some worries over the likes of Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo, who will both be flying back from South America after international duty with Argentina and Ecuador respectively. The duo are both likely to be in action late on Tuesday night before heading back to London, although the Sunday afternoon kick-off will hopefully mean both will be available for the clash.

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