Chelsea could be without as many as 11 players for Wednesday's encounter with Premier League leaders Liverpool at Anfield.

Reece James, Lesley Ugochukwu (both hamstring), Wesley Fofana (ACL), Robert Sanchez (knee), Marc Cucurella (ankle), Romeo Lavia and Trevoh Chalobah (both thigh) all remain in the treatment room, while Nicolas Jackson is away with Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Blues duo Christopher Nkunku (hip) and Malo Gusto (knock) have been spotted in training this week, the latter only taking part in individual sessions, and both players will be assessed ahead of kickoff.

Levi Colwill is also a doubt after he was forced to pull out of Chelsea's starting lineup prior to last Friday's goalless draw with Aston Villa in the FA Cup fourth round after sustaining an unspecified issue in the warm-up.

The potential absence of Colwill could see Benoit Badiashile continue at left-back, but head coach Mauricio Pochettino may be tempted to hand Ben Chilwell his first Premier League start since September last year now that the Englishman has recovered from a hamstring problem.

Alfie Gilchrist was handed a start at right-back against Villa, but the potential return of Chilwell to the first XI could see the youngster drop out and the remaining members of Friday's back four shift across to the right, with Axel Disasi taking up the right-back spot.

Pochettino will ponder whether to stick with Cole Palmer, Chelsea's top scorer in all competitions with 11 goals, as a false nine or recall striker Armando Broja to lead the line.

Chelsea possible starting lineup: Petrovic; Disasi, Silva, Badiashile, Chilwell; Caicedo, Fernandez; Palmer, Gallagher, Sterling; Broja

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