Chelsea’s Mauricio Pochettino may have offered some insight into his season-opening squad choices, but one of his signings has already suffered an injury setback.
Liverpool are preparing to start their Premier League season at Stamford Bridge on August 13 in what will be a difficult start to the season for Jurgen Klopp’s side.
The Reds have played four friendlies so far this summer and will conclude their pre-season campaign against Darmstadt at Deepdale on Monday night.
Klopp was unable to report any new injury concerns after Wednesday’s 4-3 loss to Bayern Munich in Singapore, confirming that a slap in the face to Alexis Mac Allister was nothing serious and that he ” could have continued to play”.
Pochettino hasn’t been so lucky in his squad’s preparation: new signing Christopher Nkunku is set to be considered after picking up a knee problem in Chelsea’s last warm-up against Borussia Dortmund in 2023/24.
An update on Chelsea’s official website said the manager ‘hopes’ the issue is not serious but ahead of the Liverpool game he ‘will take a few days to assess it’.
Pochettino’s side pick in the 1-1 draw with Bundesliga runners-up may have provided some clues as to how his side could line up for the opening weekend.
The Argentine was asked why his reserve goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina did not get on the pitch against Borussia Dortmund, to which his response was: “The fifth game for me was to test the team that I want, is a plan in my head to play, to give 90 minutes to some players.
“It’s only 10 days, our last game, I wanted to test Kepa for 90 minutes. I understand the question.
With Chelsea’s pre-season already over, the Reds are just one game away in England from the start of the competition next weekend.
Liverpool will be hoping to continue to keep injuries to a minimum as they aim to get the new season off to a brisk start on August 13 at Stamford Bridge.
