Arne Slot details the thinking behind his Liverpool team selection as Alexis Mac Allister starts on the bench against Chelsea at Anfield

Argentina international Mac Allister was withdrawn at half time of the 1-0 win at Crystal Palace before the international break and sat out the World Cup holders' meeting with Venezuela after travelling to join up with his compatriots.

Mac Allister did then play 66 minutes of the 6-0 hammering of Bolivia in the early hours of Thursday but has been training away from the main group since returning to the AXA Centre on Merseyside this week.

"It's a bit more complicated than [simple rotation] because Macca was a bit ill when he came back, that didn't help as well," Slot said when asked about his team selection by Sky Sports.

"With Luis Diaz [his absence] is because I have a good option with Cody Gakpo. Of course travelling doesn't help, but there are more reasons for us to play Curtis Jones and Cody Gakpo today."

On Caoimhin Kelleher, who makes his first start of the Premier League season in the absence of the hamstrung Alisson Becker, Slot added: "He does [give us security]. That's why Jurgen Klopp came out with what you just said (he's the best number two in the world).

"He's shown it this season as well. We have a lot of confidence in him. We would have preferred to have Alisson because you want all your players fit, but we have him and it's a good thing to have such a good second goalkeeper."

Liverpool started the game in second in the Premier League after Manchester City beat Wolves 2-1 at Molinuex in the 2pm game.