Chelsea travel to Anfield hoping to move up from 10th in the table, even if only for a few hours. They do so with the backing of new signings coming through the door in January and the chance of handing exciting winger Mykhailo Mudryk his debut, too.
His move from Shakhtar Donetsk caused quite a stir last week when he was announced after a U-turn following strong interest from Arsenal. Mudryk's presence will add fear to the Blues frontline that has been missing, especially with the injuries of Raheem Sterling and Christian Pulisic.
Whilst Mudryk could make his debut on Merseyside there are still plenty of issues for Potter to sort out with his midfield still looking threadbare.
READ MORE: Graham Potter provides two crucial Chelsea injury updates ahead of Liverpool
Here, football.london takes you through the latest Blues injury news and updates.
Mykhailo Mudryk
The 22-year-old joined from Shakhtar Donetsk last week and has been training with his new side since then. He hasn't played in the new year though and last played competitive football on November 23.
What Potter said: "He’s come from a mid-season break so hasn’t played so much football recently. But he’s been training well. So we’ll assess him and see how much he can play at the weekend.
"There’s a chance [he makes his debut]. It’s about how much he can do. 90 minutes? No, but there is probably a role for him at some stage of the game."
Injury: None
Expected return date: Liverpool (A), January 21.
Kai Havertz
In footage filmed by Sky Sports, Havertz was not pictured at the open Chelsea training session on Wednesday. This initially cast doubt over his availability for the Liverpool tie but he was back in training on Thursday.
What Potter said: N/A
Injury: N/A
Expected return date: Liverpool (A), January 21
Reece James
James suffered a knee injury in Chelsea's 2-0 win over AC Milan last year following a collision with Theo Hernandez. Then, upon his return after the World Cup, he pulled up against Bournemouth triggering another injury.
The 23-year-old returned to the pitches at Cobham ahead of the defeat to Fulham, but was still training alone. Now, ahead of the tie with Liverpool, he featured in first-team training again.
While any sort of involvement at Anfield this weekend remains unlikely, his presence at training will serve as a huge boost to all those involved at the club.
What Potter said: "The boys are progressing well. Reece [James] has joined team training but won’t be involved at the weekend."
Injury: Knee
Expected return date: February
Ben Chilwell
Chilwell was also pictured back in first-team training again alongside James. The defender has missed large parts of the season so he'll be keen to return to match fitness and help Chelsea's chances of claiming a place in the top-four.
What Potter said: "The boys are progressing well. Reece [James] has joined team training but won’t be involved at the weekend. Same for Ben Chilwell."
Injury: Thigh
Expected return date: February
N'Golo Kante
Kante has suffered an injury-ridden campaign this far but the midfielder has finally returned to the pitches at Cobham, albeit training alone. The Frenchman is getting closer to full fitness but until he joins the first-team group a debut under Potter is left to be desired.
What Potter said: "N’Golo did his first couple of days out training on his own but there is still a long, long way to go."
Injury: Thigh
Expected return date: February
Wesley Fofana
Having missed most of the season so far, former Leicester man Wesley Fofana's influence at the back has been somewhat felt in his absence. However, in a huge boost to the Blues and the defender himself, it appears as though a return is just around the corner, having been pictured in training again.
What Potter said: ''Wesley had a little setback, which can sometimes happen at the very last stage of rehab, so he will be [out for] a couple of weeks."
Injury: Knee
Expected return date : February
Denis Zakaria
The Chelsea loanee has impressed in recent weeks, forcing his way into the first-team after a slow start to his career at Stamford Bridge. However, in a huge blow to the side, he was forced off after 56 minutes in the defeat to Fulham and has handed a major blow to Potter's midfield options.
What Potter said: "Denis is going to be probably four weeks. It’s the top of his quad and that is a blow for us. Hopefully, he can return sooner."
Injury: Quadricep
Expected return date: Borussia Dortmund (A) - February 15.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek
The midfielder joined his team-mates in training for the first time since November on Tuesday (January 10) but the Fulham clash was deemed too soon. However, he could be available for the trip to Anfield and provide Potter with the versatility needed in the coming run of games.
What Potter said: "Ruben [Loftus-Cheek] was on the bench in the last match – but only to be on the bench essentially. He is a lot closer now so can play some minutes."
Injury: Calf
Expected return date: Liverpool (A) - January 21.
Christian Pulisic
Pulisic was subbed off with an injury in the Premier League defeat to Manchester City, coming off worse in a tackle by John Stones. The United States international was visibly distressed as he went down twice following the challenge.
He was eventually replaced by Carney Chukwuemeka and also was absent from the matchday squad for the FA Cup clash against City. He is set for another lengthy spell on the sidelines.
What Potter said: "No chance, no, he will be out past that [January transfer deadline] and there was never any consideration about him leaving anyway. He is a couple of months out.
"He is disappointed but he is optimistic about coming back quicker than two months. He is in that phase where he is keeping his fingers crossed and hoping his rehab goes well."
Injury: Knee
Expected return date: March
Raheem Sterling
Sterling was replaced by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang inside the opening couple of minutes in the same fixture Chelsea lost Pulisic. The 28-year-old winger fell to the floor with a grimace on his face following a collision with John Stones.
The Athletic reported that the forward is set for a scan on his hamstring to understand the extent of the injury he has suffered and understandably, Sterling was not named in the 18-man squad that travelled to his old stomping ground on Sunday, with Potter giving a brief update on the summer signing.
His second scan is believed to have shown worse damage than first thought though.
What Potter said: "Raheem less (than Pulisic) but we’re still evaluating the extent of it. Hopefully less than that, though."
Injury: Hamstring
Expected return date: February/March
Edouard Mendy
Chelsea confirmed that Mendy had undergone an operation on a fractured finger sustained during training, meaning he will be absent from the squad in the coming games.
The Senegalese shot-stopper missed the Bournemouth match and didn't even make the bench against Forest. He had previously come back from international duty in October with an injury but played for his club since then despite being replaced as No1 by Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Injury: Finger
Expected return date: Unknown
Armando Broja
Having pulled up nastily in the side's mid-season friendly against Aston Villa, Armando Broja could be heard reeling in pain as his knee injury more than definitely curtailed his 22/23 season. Having made quite the impression under Potter, it was a sad blow for the former Southampton loanee.
What Potter said: ''It was just an unfortunate action. He got caught up with their player and the ground. It doesn’t look positive at the moment but it’s too early to say. Fingers crossed but it is an awkward one.''
Injury: Knee
Expected return date: Late 2023
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