Chelsea team news: Predicted 4-3-3 line up vs Liverpool – Mount latest as key man returns

Chelsea manager Frank Lampard could be without up to six key stars when the Blues welcome Liverpool to Stamford Bridge this weekend.

The west London club have been hit by a host of injuries in recent weeks, with Mason Mount the latest to be sidelined after an ankle problem.

The playmaker received a nasty knock after a late tackle from Francis Coquelin during the 1-0 defeat to Valencia on Tuesday and remains doubtful for the weekend.

Speaking after the match, Lampard said: “He has got an ankle injury which we don’t know how bad it is.

“We are going to have to assess it in the next 24-48 hours to see the scale of the injury, to see how the injury is.”

Chelsea hope to have the 20-year-old available after a superb start to the season but will wait for the results of a late fitness test.

Emerson Palmieri is also an injury doubt after missing the Blues’ past two matches while Ruben Loftus-Cheek is a long-term absentee.

Callum Hudson-Odoi and Reece James are working their way back from serious injury lay-offs and are unlikely to be risked while Antonio Rudiger is not expected to feature either.

However, N’Golo Kante is back in training and could get the nod in central midfield – meaning a change in formation from the five-man defence Lampard has been utilising recently and one of Kurt Zouma, Andreas Christensen or Fikayo Tomori dropping to the bench.

Kante’s return could see a three-man midfield adopted once more, with the Blues sacrificing wing-backs for a more traditional 4-3-3.

Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic should start while Pedro has shaken off a hamstring injury and looks the most likely replacement if Mount is unavailable.

Meanwhile, Christian Pulisic and Willian will compete for a starting berth on the opposite flank while Tammy Abraham will lead the line.

Chelsea predicted line-up vs Liverpool – Premier League

(4-3-3): Arrizabalaga; Azpilicueta, Christensen, Zouma, Alonso; Jorginho, Kante, Kovacic; Pedro, Willian, Abraham