Summer signing Tosin Adarabioyo and Axel Disasi are the main contenders to take Fofana’s place at centre-back, while Cucurella’s absence could see Renato Veiga redeployed or even a first league appearance of the season for Ben Chilwell.

Mohamed Salah scored a first-half penalty after Curtis Jones was brought down by Levi Colwill. Liverpool briefly thought they had a second spot-kick after Robert Sanchez sent Jones crashing to the floor, but a VAR review showed the Chelsea keeper got the ball first and the decision was overturned.

Liverpool's "heavy metal" approach under Jurgen Klopp may be a thing of the past - but Arne Slot passed his first big test against Chelsea.