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Chelsea vs Liverpool: Confirmed team news, predicted lineups and injuries

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Chelsea host Premier League champions Liverpool at Stamford Bridge in a critical fixture that could shape the Blues’ Champions League qualification hopes.

Enzo Maresca’s side currently sit sixth in the league standings, aiming to close the gap on fourth-placed Manchester City and remain within striking distance of Arsenal. Chelsea’s attention now turns back to league matters after a strong European performance during the week.

The Blues took a commanding lead in their Europa Conference League semi-final tie with a 4-1 away win over Swedish side Djurgarden. That performance puts them in pole position for a place in the final.

However, they had to navigate that match without first-choice goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, who missed the trip after sustaining a knock in the 1-0 league victory against Everton. Forward Christopher Nkunku was also absent, but there is hope that both players will be available for the clash with Liverpool.

Right-back Malo Gusto made his return to action on Thursday night, coming off the bench after being sidelined since the win over Fulham last month. Meanwhile, winger Pedro Neto was given a rest midweek, and Noni Madueke was substituted at halftime.

His replacement, Nicolas Jackson, made the most of the opportunity by netting a second-half brace. Those changes hint that Maresca could choose to start both Neto and Madueke in Sunday’s match, with Jadon Sancho possibly dropping out of the starting eleven.

Chelsea, now fifth in the table, know a win against Liverpool would further boost their chances of returning to Europe’s top competition next season.

While the stakes are high for the Blues, Liverpool head into this fixture with the title already wrapped up and the pressure firmly off their shoulders. Arne Slot’s side will be eager to close their campaign on a high note, possibly with some squad rotation.

With Liverpool’s domestic duties effectively complete, Slot has the flexibility to test out his depth. Fringe players like Harvey Elliot and Federico Chiesa are in contention for starts and will look to impress ahead of next season.

Conor Bradley is also back in the squad after missing the 5-1 demolition of Tottenham that secured the league crown due to a minor injury sustained in training.

The predicted starting eleven for Chelsea includes Sanchez in goal, a backline of Reece James, Trevoh Chalobah, Levi Colwill, and Marc Cucurella. Moisés Caicedo and Enzo Fernández are likely to hold the midfield, with Pedro Neto, Cole Palmer, and Noni Madueke operating behind Jackson up top.

Liverpool’s potential lineup features Alisson in goal, with a defense of Bradley, Ibrahima Konaté, Virgil van Dijk, and Kostas Tsimikas. In midfield, Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister could be joined by Elliot, while the attack might feature Chiesa, Mohamed Salah, and Luis Diaz.

The match kicks off at 4:30pm on Sunday, May 3, and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event. Fans can stream the game via Sky Go and NOW TV.

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‘We want him’ – Club chief confirms he wants to sign Man Utd outcast in permanent transfer

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‘We want him’ – Club chief confirms he wants to sign Man Utd outcast in permanent transfer

Andre Onana could remain in Turkey beyond his loan spell, with Trabzonspor keen to secure him on a permanent deal.

The 30-year-old moved to Trabzonspor after falling out of favour at Manchester United, who brought in Senne Lammens last summer. Since then, Lammens has established himself as the club’s first-choice keeper, paving the way for Onana’s temporary switch.

In Turkey, however, Onana has rediscovered his form and quickly become a key figure. He recently grabbed attention with a standout performance in the Turkish Cup, saving three consecutive penalties to help his side overcome Samsunspor and reach the semi-finals.

The moment sparked widespread reactions online, especially from United supporters recalling their earlier penalty shootout defeat to Grimsby Town, where Onana managed just one save.

Trabzonspor president Ertugrul Dogan has openly expressed the club’s desire to keep the goalkeeper. He indicated that while Onana has his own career plans, the club would be eager to make the move permanent if the circumstances align, leaving the final decision in the player’s hands.

Back in England, United are expected to consider selling Onana, particularly with Lammens now firmly established as their number one. The club will likely aim to recover a significant portion of the £47.5 million they paid to sign him from Inter Milan in 2023, with two years still remaining on his contract.

Beyond his cup heroics, Onana has been a consistent presence in the league, starting every match for Trabzonspor and playing a vital role in their push for the title. His performances have earned strong praise in Turkey, with the club currently sitting third in the table, just six points behind leaders Galatasaray.

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Man City place Arsenal ‘bottles’ for sale outside Etihad Stadium before 2025/26 Premier League decider

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Man City place Arsenal 'bottles' for sale outside Etihad Stadium before 2025/26 Premier League decider

Manchester City appear to have kicked off the psychological battle ahead of their Premier League showdown with Arsenal.

In the build-up to the match, bottles branded with the Arsenal logo were reportedly being sold outside the stadium, priced cheaply and seemingly intended as a tongue-in-cheek way for home fans to mock the visiting supporters.

The stunt draws inspiration from a recent viral moment at Stamford Bridge, where a City fan was seen jokingly “drinking Arsenal tears” during their emphatic 3-0 win over Chelsea—a clip that quickly spread across social media.

With tensions already high given the importance of the fixture, the gesture adds another layer to the rivalry between the two sides. Arsenal, meanwhile, will be focused on responding where it matters most—on the pitch—as they aim to silence critics and deliver a strong result in what could be a defining game in the title race.

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Bruno Fernandes responds to Manchester United star’s dig at Chelsea flop Alejandro Garnacho

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Bruno Fernandes responds to Manchester United star’s dig at Chelsea flop Alejandro Garnacho

Alejandro Garnacho faced criticism from his former Manchester United teammates following Chelsea’s latest Premier League setback.

A first-half goal from Matheus Cunha secured a narrow but important win for United, strengthening the position of Michael Carrick’s side in the race for Champions League qualification. Chelsea, meanwhile, continue to struggle, with the defeat marking their fourth consecutive league loss without finding the net.

Pressure is mounting on head coach Liam Rosenior, who only took charge a few months ago after replacing Enzo Maresca. While the club has not publicly wavered in its support, questions are beginning to emerge over several players, including Garnacho, whose performances have failed to meet expectations since his £40 million move from Old Trafford.

Reports suggest Chelsea could be open to offers for the 21-year-old after a difficult start to life at Stamford Bridge. He had an early opportunity to impress against his former side after coming on for the injured Estevao, but once again struggled to make an impact, finding it hard to break through a United defence that was missing several first-choice centre-backs.

Garnacho also received a hostile reception from United supporters during the match, and the reaction appeared to carry over beyond the pitch. After the game, Luke Shaw shared an image on social media showing himself standing over Garnacho following a challenge. Bruno Fernandes responded with a playful but pointed comment, while former teammate Alex Telles also joined in with reactions.

Chelsea’s broader struggles are becoming increasingly concerning. They now sit four points behind Liverpool in the race for fifth place, despite having played an extra game. The current run—four straight league defeats without scoring—is their worst in nearly three decades, with an even longer drought not seen since 1912.

Across all competitions, the form is equally worrying, with six losses in their last seven matches and 16 goals conceded during that stretch. A significant portion of their recent goals have come in a single outing against Port Vale, highlighting their lack of consistency in front of goal.

After the match, Rosenior admitted uncertainty about what failing to qualify for the Champions League could mean for his future. He acknowledged the result was difficult to take, especially given that Chelsea created numerous chances but failed to convert them. He pointed out that United capitalised on a limited opportunity, while his side were unable to make their attacking pressure count.

Despite the frustration, Rosenior emphasized the need for continued effort and improvement, insisting that the team must find a way to turn their form around before the situation worsens further.

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