Romelu Lukaku has been axed from the Chelsea squad for the visit of Liverpool in the Premier League after his explosive interview in with Italian media.
Thomas Tuchel is thought to be livid with the striker behind the scenes and has left him out of the matchday squad entirely, having scored two in his last two matches since returning from injury.
He is replaced up front by Kai Havertz, who starts for the first time November 12 and will play in the front three alongside Mason Mount and Callum Hudson-Odoi.
Chelsea have serious problems in defence with both Reece James and Ben Chilwell injured. Cesar Azpilicueta starts at right wing-back for the injured James and Marcos Alonso plays at left wing-back up against Mo Salah.
Thiago Silva starts having returned to training late last week and he is joined in the back three by Trevoh Chalobah and Antonio Rudiger. Silva suffered a hamstring injury on Boxing Day but has recovered quickly to resume his role at the heart of the Blues defence.
Jorginho misses out in midfield and is named among the substitutes. He is replaced by N'Golo Kante, who starts for the first time in three games and after two substitute appearances.
Mateo Kovacic partners Kante in midfield as Tuchel sticks with the 3-5-2 formation he has employed for the last 12 months in west London.
Edouard Mendy starts in goal for the final time before heading off to the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal.
Youngsters Harvey Vale and Lewis Hall have both been named in the squad and take their places on the bench.
Chelsea: Mendy; Azpilicueta, Chalobah, Silva, Rudiger, Alonso; Kante, Kovacic; Mount, Hudson-Odoi, Havertz.
