MatchChelsea v Liverpool team news

Jürgen Klopp also reported on Friday that there were three suspected positive COVID-19 tests within the Reds' playing squad.

Speaking to reporters at a press conference, the boss said: "We have three new COVID cases in the team and a few more in the staff, so it's not so cool in the moment.

"I'm not [able to reveal the names] because we still have to make the whole processes, getting a proper PCR and all these kind of things, but you will see the day after tomorrow on the teamsheet. It will be pretty clear then who is affected or infected."

On Thiago and Minamino, who both missed the defeat at Leicester City on Tuesday, Klopp continued: "I would say Taki is probably closer, he is running outside.

"Thiago, not yet. It means for him, it might take a little bit longer. It's a hip issue which we don't have an idea where it's coming from, so we have to be a little bit patient with that."

Andy Robertson is also unavailable as he serves the final match of his suspension following a red card at Tottenham Hotspur last month.

But fellow full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold could bring up the milestone of 200 appearances for the club.

Meanwhile, Chelsea are waiting to learn the full extent of the hamstring injury Reece James suffered during their 1-1 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion in midweek.

Andreas Christensen came off at half-time in that contest with a back issue, while Thiago Silva sat it out because of a hamstring complaint. Timo Werner last appeared for the Blues on December 11.

Ben Chilwell looks set to miss the remainder of the season after recently having surgery on his knee.

Head coach Thomas Tuchel said: "Chilly, of course, has his surgery and has all our best wishes and all our energy to come back as soon as possible, but it seems like the season is over for him.

"With Reece, he still has a hamstring injury, it's a muscle injury. Like always with muscle injuries, the examination is a bit later because the images are better if you wait a bit.

"So the images will be later today I guess and then we will know more about it. That's the situation on the two wing-backs."

Last match

Chelsea 1-1 Brighton & Hove Albion (December 29): Mendy, Rudiger, Christensen, Azpilicueta, Pulisic, Kovacic, Jorginho, James, Mount, Hudson-Odoi, Lukaku.

Leicester City 1-0 Liverpool (December 28): Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Tsimikas, Fabinho, Henderson, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Mane, Salah, Jota.