Chelsea Blow as Liverpool Gain Stamford Bridge Boost
Liverpool’s upcoming clash with Chelsea has taken on new intrigue after Enzo Maresca confirmed that Cole Palmer will not be available for selection due to a groin injury.
The Chelsea boss revealed that the England international will be sidelined until after the international break, ruling out one of the Blues’ most reliable attacking outlets for the meeting at Stamford Bridge.
Maresca Explains Injury Decision
Speaking ahead of the fixture, Maresca explained:
> “We felt it was best to protect Cole and not take unnecessary risks. He’ll be given two to three weeks of rest so that he can return fully fit after the international break.”
He clarified that surgery would not be needed, but the medical team opted for a conservative approach to prevent the issue from worsening.
Palmer’s absence strips Chelsea of a key creative spark, particularly in set-piece situations, while several other names—including Liam Delap, Wesley Fofana, Levi Colwill, Tosin Adarabioyo, and Dario Essugo—remain unavailable. Trevoh Chalobah will also miss out due to suspension, leaving the squad heavily depleted.
Liverpool Seek Reaction After Tough Week
For Liverpool, the timing of this news offers a potential advantage, especially after back-to-back losses against Crystal Palace and Galatasaray. Arne Slot is expected to recall Mohamed Salah to the starting XI, while recent updates on Hugo Ekitike and Federico Chiesa suggest reinforcements could be available.
With Alexander Isak pushing for a start, the trip to Stamford Bridge gives Liverpool an opportunity to reset momentum and respond to recent setbacks.
Chelsea’s growing injury list now shifts responsibility onto their weakened midfield, a situation Liverpool will be eager to exploit as they aim to reassert themselves after a bruising week in Europe.
