According to a report by Football.London, Liverpool is gearing up to face Chelsea at Anfield in a crucial Premier League clash as they aim to extend their lead at the top of the table. The match, which pits first against fourth, will be an important test for Chelsea, managed by Enzo Maresca, who has seen his team enjoy a strong start to the season.
Liverpool, under the guidance of Arne Slot, will look to maintain their impressive form, having secured six victories in seven league matches and nine wins in their first ten competitions.
As both teams prepare for this high-stakes encounter, Liverpool has received promising news regarding key players Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah. Van Dijk, who recently played for the Netherlands in the Nations League, received a red card during a match against Hungary, leading to a one-match suspension.
Consequently, he will return to Liverpool early, allowing him to rest and recover ahead of the Chelsea game.
Salah, on the other hand, was withdrawn from Egypt's squad due to concerns regarding the pitch for their upcoming fixture against Mauritania.
This early return gives Salah additional time to prepare for the match against Chelsea, further bolstering Liverpool's attacking options. If both players are fit, they are almost certain to be included in Slot's starting XI.
With Alisson Becker unavailable for selection having sustained an injury, Caoimhin Kelleher is expected to take the starting position in goal against Chelsea. Vitezslav Jaros, who stepped in during Alisson's absence in the recent match against Crystal Palace, will serve as Kelleher's backup. 
In defence, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konate, and Andy Robertson are currently on international duty, and Slot will hope they return unscathed to join Van Dijk in the defensive lineup. Midfield may see a change depending on the fitness of Alexis Mac Allister.
After missing Argentina's World Cup qualifier against Venezuela due to a possible muscle strain, his participation remains uncertain. Should Mac Allister be ruled out, Curtis Jones may step in alongside Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai.
Moreover, Harvey Elliott is looking to make a return from a long-term foot injury, which could add another dynamic to Liverpool's midfield.
In attack, Salah is set to reclaim his spot, with the other forward positions likely to be contested by Diogo Jota, Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo, and Darwin Núñez. Federico Chiesa may also be considered for inclusion after recovering from fitness issues that kept him sidelined for Liverpool's last two matches.
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