Mauricio Pochettino confirms key man's absence for Liverpool vs Chelsea

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has confirmed that Levi Colwill will not be fit to face Liverpool on Wednesday night.

The Blues travel to Anfield for the Premier League fixture, a match-up which will be repeated in next month's Carabao Cup final.

Liverpool, who remain unbeaten at home this season, are set to play their first Premier League match since Jurgen Klopp's blockbuster exit announcement last week, while a win over Chelsea would maintain the Reds' lead at the top of the table ahead of a key period.

While Klopp has been able to welcome back key stars in recent games, with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Andy Robertson and Dominik Szoboszlai all making returns in Sunday's FA Cup win over Norwich, Chelsea face several selection headaches.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Pochettino revealed that a tendon issue will keep Colwill from travelling with the squad to Merseyside.

"He suffered a minor injury in his tendon," he said. "It's not a big issue but he is going to be out for tomorrow."

Colwill, who is still a player of interest to Liverpool's recruitment team, has been impressive so far this season, playing in 20 out of 21 of the Blues' Premier League games — most often at left back.

The 20-year-old is one of eight first-team players unavailable for Chelsea, along with Wesley Fofana, Reece James, Marc Cucurella, Romeo Lavia, Robert Sanchez, Lesley Ugochukwu and Trevoh Chalobah.

However, Pochettino has confirmed that Malo Gusto and Christopher Nkunku are in contention after returning to fitness, while Nicolas Jackson — whose Senegal side were eliminated from the Africa Cup of Nations on Monday night — could even feature.

"I think it is good news, Malo Gusto and Christoph can be in the squad for tomorrow," he said. "Travel with us, with the team, that is good news. We will see. We will wait for the last moment, but at the moment, yes, it's good news to have two players recovered.

"And to see maybe, why not, to arrive Nicolas Jackson for tomorrow and to be involved also in the game. If he can arrive."