Chelsea suffer massive injury blow as £52m new signing is ruled out of Liverpool clash

Liverpool and Chelsea meet in the Premier League on Sunday in their first game of the new season and the Reds have received a massive injury blow ahead of the showdown.

The Telegraph reports that £52m new signing Christopher Nkunku is facing an "extended period" on the sidelines and will certainly be available to manager Mauricio Pochettino on Sunday.

Matt Law reveals on Twitter that the forward underwent surgery on on his knee to solve a meniscus issue and is likely to be out for 16 weeks or around three and a half months.

It's a brutal blow for Chelsea not just in the context of the start of the season but in the broader context of the campaign. He may not be back until December.

Liverpool team news for Chelsea clash

Jurgen Klopp's squad may be too small for the season ahead but unlike last season, it's fit and healthy.

Aside from Stefan Bajcetic and Thiago Alcantara and Conor Bradley, the Reds have a clean bill of health. Bradley's injury is unknown but Thiago and Bajcetic are now back in full training, according to This is Anfield.

The German is without a natural no.6 so his team selection this weekend will be interesting if not concerning.

Mohamed Salah will be facing his old club again and will be hoping to make history. If the Egyptian scores on Sunday, he will break Chelsea legend Frank Lampard's record of eight goals scored on the opening day of a Premier League season.

Both players have eight currently but Salah will have the chance to make the record his own after equalling Lampard's tally last season when he scored against Fulham.

Salah can also extend a record that is his own. The 31-year-old has scored in six opening day Premier League games consecutively and can make it seven on Sunday.

Liverpool need a win to start their season on the right foot and after both sides finished outside the top four last season, this is an opportunity to be the team that bounces back with more intent.