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Chelsea vs Liverpool: Premier League – teams, start, lineups

By in News, World News

Who: Chelsea vs Liverpool
What: English Premier League
Where: Stamford Bridge in London, United Kingdom
When: Saturday, October 3, at 5:30pm (16:30 GMT)
How to follow: We’ll have all the build-up on Al Jazeera Sport from 11:15 GMT in advance of our live text commentary stream.

Premier League champions Liverpool travel to Chelsea after a rare barren run under Arne Slot.

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The Dutchman led the Reds to their record-equalling title win last season – his first since replacing the popular Jurgen Klopp – but a recent blip has led to questions as to whether the club’s transition between managers will be more noticeable this term.

Chelsea, meantime, are hoping to build on their FIFA Club World Cup victory earlier this year, but have not had the smoothest start to the season themselves.

Al Jazeera Sport takes a look at the pick of the weekend’s Premier League fixtures.

What is Chelsea’s take on the visit of Liverpool?

Liverpool’s back-to-back losses over the last week have shown that they are vulnerable, but that will not make this weekend’s Premier League clash with the champions any easier for Chelsea, the London-based club’s manager Enzo Maresca said on Friday.

Leaders Liverpool started the league campaign with five straight wins but lost at Crystal Palace last Saturday, before a defeat away to Galatasaray in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Chelsea, who have lost their last two games in the top-flight and sit eighth in the table, seven points adrift of Liverpool, will look to build on the momentum from Tuesday’s 1-0 Champions League win over Benfica at Stamford Bridge.

“There is a vulnerability about any team in the world, not just Liverpool. But if a team wins every game, it is impossible to catch them. Now, they lost one or two games. That shows vulnerability,” Maresca told a news conference before Saturday’s home game.

“I don’t think now it is better to play Liverpool. It is always a tough game, always a big team.”

Do Chelsea have a disciplinary problem?

Red cards have plagued Chelsea, with goalkeeper Robert Sanchez dismissed five minutes into the 2-1 defeat at Manchester United and Trevoh Chalobah being sent off in last weekend’s 3-1 loss to visiting Brighton & Hove Albion.

“Most of the games we didn’t get the points were because of the red cards. Also, the injury situation, we have eight players out. It’s a mixed combination, but we don’t have any doubt that slowly we will be again where we need to be,” Maresca said.

Has Chelsea’s blip surprised Maresca?

The Italian, who has led Chelsea to the UEFA Conference League and Club World Cup trophies this year, said he had enjoyed the start to the 2025-26 season despite the struggles.

“It’s normal. I am not thinking, [being] the Chelsea manager, everything is always going to be in place. You need to adjust, you need to evolve,” he added.

“I consider [Liverpool] the best team in England at the moment because they have shown that, and they won the Premier League. We are improving and trying to solve problems. For sure, in the end, we will be there and close.”

Alisson injury blow hits Liverpool

Liverpool manager Arne Slot already said Alisson would miss the league match at Chelsea, following his injury in the defeat at Galatasaray in midweek, but confirmed on Friday that the keeper would not be joining up with Brazil for its friendlies against South Korea on October 10 and Japan four days later.

Asked for a timescale for Alisson’s absence, Slot said, “It depends on how fast the recovery goes. It’s clear not Saturday, he’s not going to play for Brazil, and I would be surprised if he’d be there for the first game after the international break [against United at Anfield on October 19].

“From there on, things can go a bit faster or a bit slower. It’s always difficult to say.”

It means Georgia international Giorgi Mamardashvili will get a run in the first team after joining on a full-time basis from Valencia during the offseason.

What is Liverpool’s take on their form before Chelsea match

Liverpool is coming off back-to-back defeats under Slot for just the second time since he arrived in the summer of 2024.

Slot said he saw opponents start to work out Liverpool’s style of play under him in the second half of last season – when the team was already well on its way to winning the Premier League title – and that it has continued into this campaign.

Liverpool is also trying to gel after a $570m spending spree on new players in the summer transfer window, with the likes of Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak adjusting to life at their new club.

Slot suggested Liverpool will start turning to being more efficient at set pieces – an approach he called the “new reality” in the Premier League – to break down opponents.

“Jurgen gave me a lot of gifts, but one of the gifts he gave me was [finishing] third the year before and fifth the year before that, and him being so well known that a new manager came in and everybody thought, ‘OK, let’s start to play against Liverpool,’” Slot said.

“Teams played in a completely different way in the first half of the season against us than they did when we were top of the league after half the season and top of the Champions League. I can see this going into this part of this season. We have to find answers to that, and last season, one of the answers was the set piece. Like many teams, we have to unlock low blocks with set pieces and this season we haven’t done that — yet.”

What happened the last time Chelsea met Liverpool

Chelsea won the last meeting between the clubs 3-1 in a Premier League meeting at Stamford Bridge on May 4.

Enzo Fernandez and a Jarell Quansah own goal put the Blues two up by the break. Virgil van Dijk pulled one back for the Reds in the 85th minute to set up a tight finish before Cole Palmer’s 90th-minute penalty settled matters.

Head-to-head

This is the 199th meeting between the clubs, with Liverpool winning 83 times and Chelsea winning 66.

Chelsea won in the last meeting between the sides ended a ten-game run without a win against Liverpool, of which the Reds won three.

Chelsea team news

Chelsea are missing injured defenders Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana and Tosin Adarabioyo, as well as defensive midfielder Dario Essugo, who had thigh surgery last month.

“In this moment, I think we have four or five defenders out. We are going to try and adapt and find the right solution for tomorrow,” Maresca said.

Forward Liam Delap and midfielders Cole Palmer and Andrey Santos are also out with injuries.

Trevor Chalobah is suspended for the game following his sending off at Brighton, but Pedro’s sending off in midweek does not affect his participation.

Liverpool team news

Alisson was one of two casualties of the Reds’ midweek loss alongside Hugo Ekitike, but he has not been fully ruled out with his thigh problem.

Federico Chiesa may return from a niggle, but Giovanni Leoni remains a long-term absentee with his ACL injury.

Chelsea predicted starting lineup

Sanchez; James, Acheampong, Badiashile, Cucurella; Fernandez, Caicedo; Estevao, Buonanotte, Neto; Pedro

Liverpool possible starting lineup

Fubara Cautions Permanent Secretaries Over Conduct During Emergency Rule

By in News, Nigeria News

Siminalayi Fubara, the governor of Rwanda, has warned permanent secretaries that they will be held accountable for their actions if they violated the civil service’s standards during the state’s emergency.

Austin Ezekiel-Hart was sworn in as a permanent secretary by the governor at the Port Harcourt Executive Chambers.

Governor Fubara explained that Ezekiel-Hart’s elevation, in part due to his professionalism in the state civil service, was based solely on merit.

He urged the new appointee to uphold the values and principles that earned him the promotion, not at any time, telling any permanent secretary to disregard due process.

Also read: Fubara Relieves Commissioners Aren’t Upon Amaewhule’s Eyes.

Further, the governor assured that his administration would be defined by actions rather than rhetoric, and that he would be forced to use evidence to support his assertion that Ezekiel-Hart would never be subject to harassment under civil service regulations.

Osun LG Funds: Court Extends Account Freezing Order Till October 9

By in News, Nigeria News

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has continued to issue a no-debit order on 30 bank accounts where the Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan has detained local government funding. The Oyo State High Court has extended its interim injunction against the United Bank of Africa (UBA).

In a decision on Friday, Justice Ladiran Akintola argued that the extension was necessary to ensure that all parties in the case with the No. number hearing had a fair hearing. Osun State Local Government Service Commission, UBA Plc, and the Attorney-General of Osun State

At the hearing, UBA’s attorney was not present. Despite filing a joinder request and a second challenge to the court’s territorial jurisdiction, Kazeem Gbadamosi, SAN, the lawyers representing the sacked APC council chairmen were present.

READ ALSO: Ozekhome’s Withholding Osun LG Funds “Highly Political”

The plaintiffs’ attorney, Musibau Adetunmbi, SAN, claimed that he needed some time to study the applications, which were only submitted on Friday and Thursday. Because their joinder application hadn’t yet been approved, he claimed that the ex-chairmen lacked locus standi.

Gbadamosi argued in opposition to the extension that his clients had a right to be included in the lawsuit because they were directly affected by the injunction. He added that it is impossible to renew an order that has expired in a court of appeal.

A further affidavit from Boluwaduro LGA’s Head of Local Government Administration, Mrs. Rachael Abidemi, was provided to the court during the course of the proceeding. She alleged that she attempted to siphon money from a private law firm’s account in violation of the court order, citing a letter from two individuals who wrote to UBA demanding that the bank pay 15% of the allocations.

Mrs. Abidemi argued that the individuals lacked legal authority and that Osun’s 2025 LG administration only allowed the directors of finance and administration and general services to signify council accounts. She submitted exhibits to confirm the current officers.

In Suit No. 4, the plaintiffs argued that the Supreme Court still has jurisdiction over the council chairs’ legitimacy. releasing funds at this point would undermine justice, according to SC/CV/773/2025.

Adetunmbi explained to journalists following the sitting that the Supreme Court’s hearing on October 7 was pending, and that the interim order was extended to protect the disputed billions.

He said, “Our contention is simple: those who paid the money knew the case was already before the court.” The Supreme Court should speak first, not the Supreme Court. The funds might have gone awry without this preservation order.

How Smith inspired England’s statement win

By in News, Sports News

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Wynne, Flynne

Guwahati-based BBC Sport Journalist
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In their World Cup opener against South Africa, England made a statement, and they did so tenfold.

Following their 16-0 Ashes victory in the T20 World Cup this year and their group-stage exit, the team was criticized.

In fact, almost every game they have played has been dominated by what had already gone so badly wrong before ever since that 2024 winter of discontent, news conferences, articles, and narrative.

The standard was broken by subsequent series victories over West Indies, but subsequent series defeats by India reopened the gaps.

Although it is still a long way to go before they won their first game of the tournament, their script needed to be rewritten, and that is exactly what was required.

After the Ashes, there has been a lot of talk about this England side, and they have obviously moved on,” said World Cup winner Alex Hartley on BBC Test Match Special.

Don’t get me wrong, they will have learned a lot from Australia, but they simply cannot have started to rewrite everything that has been said about them.

From the batters to the bowlers, to their fitness levels and fielding standards, every aspect of England’s setup had been questioned.

Even their inclusion in the Ashes squad, as well as their strict selection, made things difficult to believe. In contrast, new coach Charlotte Edwards and new captain Nat Sciver-Brunt were firm about things going to change.

Although Edwards had a short time to implement her plans, it didn’t work out against India at home, and on balance that was expected. However, Sciver-Brunt responded bravely and confidently that this side was “chalk and cheese” from the earlier versions, which came out.

The signs are encouraging, and while it would be grating to get carried away knowing a long tournament is ahead of England, it was a churn and cheese affair.

Smith leaves a lasting impression on England as “a huge asset”

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Left-arm spinner Linsey Smith, who only made her ODI debut against West Indies this year after a few brief stints in and out of the T20 set-up, took the victory in Guwahati.

Before Tazmin Brits and Marizanne Kapp were bowled by stunning drifting deliveries in the second over, the powerful top three in the format were removed by Smith, who was immediately caught and bowled by the opposing captain Laura Wolvaardt.

The 30-year-old was relentless in her quest to target the stumps, which was also true for the bowlers in general, and averaged 2.2 degrees of drift, which was the most of any game in her England career. They took six wickets with them, took just four runs, and then took just four more as they bowled 38 balls that would have hit the stumps.

Fellow slow left-armer Hartley said: “She’s an in-swing bowler, really. She’s an in-swing bowler. She can spin it, and she will spin a few, but because she has a very low arm, the ball’s trajectory follows you right-hander.

The ball lands into the pads as you see her begin to become wider. With someone like Smith, the inside edge is more of a threat than the outside, as we saw a few instances where South African batters prodded forward and the ball moved between the bat and pad.

She performs as a left-arm spinner, which means she experiences far more drift and movement through the air than most other spinners. Because she is skiddy and will challenge the lbw, she is a very difficult bowler to face because you have so few options. You can’t sweep her either.

South Africa could have given England a challenging opening that they simply couldn’t afford to fall short of.

But now that Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka are all set to play their games against favorites India and Australia, they are in a fantastic position.

“Everyone needs to stay focused and not get too ahead of ourselves about where they’re at,” Hartley continued, noting that “nothing went wrong for England today, everything was in their favor.”

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We’ll Make Ibadan Airport Nigeria’s Best, Attract More Investors – Makinde

By in News, Nigeria News

Seyi Makinde, the governor of Oyo State, has pledged to do more to entice investors to the state after the first large-bodied aircraft landed at the upgraded Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport.

Makinde stated at the hotel’s opening ceremony that the airport’s renovation had rewritten its 43-year history, but that his administration’s plan was to make it the most investor-friendly facility in Nigeria.

In spite of Nigeria’s current economic difficulties, the state’s business-friendly policies continue to entice investors, and the government will raise the bar to ensure more businesses find Oyo State attractive.

The governor thanked The Jagz Hotel’s management and staff for surviving the economic downturn, and assured businesses that the state government would continue to support them.

READ MORE: Oyo Government Procures Two Aircraft To Improve Security

Makinde criticized the theory of “import substitution” as a means of growth, arguing that no nation had prospered by focusing solely on its local environment. He argued that Oyo should open its doors to international investors, citing the airport’s expansion as a key factor in growth and tourism.

The first wide-bodied aircraft touched down at Ibadan Airport last Friday, according to Makinde, and it was a joy. The airport, which was put in operation in 1982, had to wait 43 years.

We made the runway possible by expanding it within a year of receiving approval. However, we won’t stop there. We want to make Ibadan Airport a hub where visitors from all over the world can feel welcome and return, making it the best airport in Nigeria.

Oasis star Paul ‘Bonehead’ Arthurs diagnosed with prostate cancer as he takes tour break

By in Entertainment News, News

Paul “Bonehead” Arthurs, an oasis musician, has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. He shared the news with his fans on X: “I was first diagnosed with prostate cancer earlier this year.

The good news is that I’m receiving treatment so well that I could participate in this incredible tour. I’ll be missing the gigs in Seoul, Tokyo, Melbourne, and Sydney because I have a planned break for the next phase of my care right now.

*This is a significant piece of showbiz news. Follow The Mirror on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Apple News, TikTok, Follow The Mirror on Facebook, Follow Us on Twitter, and Follow The Mirror on Twitter.