Chelsea v Liverpool: FA Cup team news
Jürgen Klopp’s selection options for Tuesday’s FA Cup tie with Chelsea have been bolstered by the availability of Joe Gomez and James Milner.
Both players missed Liverpool’s defeat at Watford at the weekend, with Milner’s slight muscle strain also meaning he was sidelined for last Monday’s win over West Ham United.
However, Klopp - who also reported no fresh injury concerns - confirmed during his pre-match press conference that the vice-captain and Gomez are fit to return at Stamford Bridge.
“No new ones [injuries], I think. Joe and Millie are back. The others aren’t,” the manager said.
That leaves Naby Keita (hip), Jordan Henderson (hamstring) and Xherdan Shaqiri (calf) as the Reds’ three senior absentees.
When asked specifically about Keita’s condition, Klopp indicated that the No.8 may be back in contention for Saturday’s meeting with Bournemouth at Anfield.
“[It is] a little, little, little bit but enough with his hip. I can’t really say more, that’s the only information I got from the medical department,” the boss stated.
“[He] is not ready [but] could be ready after that game, but for that game not. It’s not serious but obviously serious enough.”
For Chelsea, meanwhile, N’Golo Kante (adductor) and Tammy Abraham (ankle) have been ruled out.
Christian Pulisic and Callum Hudson-Odoi are also unavailable with adductor and hamstring issues respectively, while Marco van Ginkel is a long-term absentee due to an ACL injury.
Andreas Christensen is a major doubt for the visit of the Premier League leaders after sustaining a knock, with Kepa Arrizabalaga set to start in goal.
“Andreas Christensen has got a small issue which we are going to give another 24 hours, but probably puts him out of the game,” Frank Lampard said on Monday afternoon. “There are no fresh returns from the injury list.”
On what to expect from his Chelsea side, Lampard continued: “A team that gives everything to try to get through to the next round against a very strong Liverpool team.
“I believe in the squad. Sometimes you have to make changes. Of course you go game by game, case by case on those.
“The team I put out should give everything to compete with Liverpool, as we have done twice this season. We competed very well against them and were probably unfortunate on both occasions to lose.”
Last match
Bournemouth 2-2 Chelsea (February 29): Caballero, Azpilicueta, Christensen, Tomori, James, Jorginho, Kovacic, Alonso, Mount, Pedro, Giroud.
Watford 3-0 Liverpool (February 29): Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Lovren, Van Dijk, Robertson, Fabinho, Wijnaldum, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Mane, Salah, Firmino.