Liverpool are facing fresh injury concerns ahead of their Premier League clash against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, with several key players set to miss out. Goalkeeper Alisson Becker has been ruled out after suffering a hamstring injury in the Champions League defeat to Galatasaray. Arne Slot confirmed that the Brazilian will not feature before the international break, meaning new signing Giorgi Mamardashvili is expected to step in as the starting keeper for this crucial fixture.

In attack, there are doubts over Hugo Ekitike, who was forced off against Galatasaray after feeling discomfort while stretching for a ball. Although Slot hopes the issue is not serious, the forward will need to be assessed in training before a decision is made. Federico Chiesa also missed the midweek game due to a minor muscle problem, and while there is optimism he could return, his involvement remains uncertain.

Meanwhile, young centre-back Giovanni Leoni has been ruled out for the long term after undergoing surgery on an ACL injury sustained against Southampton, ending his debut season prematurely. With two straight defeats behind them, Liverpool must adapt quickly, relying on squad depth and resilience to bounce back strongly at Stamford Bridge.

Arsenal are currently facing a challenging period with several key players sidelined through injury. Gabriel Magalhães is a fresh concern after picking up a knock in the Champions League against Olympiacos, although early assessments suggest the problem is not serious. Meanwhile, summer signing Piero Hincapié is still recovering from a groin issue and is expected to return by mid-October. On the attacking front, Noni Madueke has been ruled out for around two months with a knee problem, keeping him away from action until late November. Kai Havertz remains unavailable as he continues his rehabilitation from knee surgery, with his comeback unlikely before the end of November. Adding to the list, Gabriel Jesus is enduring a long-term absence following an ACL injury, and his return may not happen before December.

Despite these setbacks, Mikel Arteta has managed to keep the team competitive, with several senior players like Martin Ødegaard and Bukayo Saka regaining fitness and reintegrating into the side. Arsenal currently have no suspensions, but the injuries mean squad rotation and tactical adjustments will be crucial in the coming weeks. The Gunners must navigate this period carefully to stay in contention across the Premier League and Champions League campaigns.

• Liverpool are awaiting the results of a medical scan to assess the severity of Alisson Becker’s hamstring issue, after he was forced off in the second half of their match vs Galatasaray.

Manager Arne Slot has already confirmed that Alisson will miss the upcoming trip to Chelsea on Saturday, ruling him out before the scan results are even in.  Analysts point to Alisson’s history of hamstring problems and the mechanism of the injury — namely the sprinting action before he went down — as signs it’s likely a hamstring strain rather than simple tightness

Depending on the grade of the strain, recovery could vary widely: a Grade 1 injury typically demands 2–4 weeks out, while a Grade 2 could stretch to 4–6 weeks.  If the worst case—Grade 2—holds, Alisson might miss into mid-November, ruling him out of high-profile fixtures including clashes with Real Madrid and Manchester City

In the meantime, Giorgi Mamardashvili is expected to step in as Liverpool’s starting goalkeeper until Alisson’s fitness is confirmed