Chelsea down to bare bones

Chelsea will travel to Anfield to face Liverpool on New Year’s Day with just 17 fit players in Jose Mourinho’s squad.

The Chelsea boss, already without central defenders Robert Huth (ankle) and Ricardo Carvalho (broken toe), has now lost the services of Alexei Smertin to a virus.

Mourinho confirmed that the Russian midfielder is out of the clash with Liverpool and doubtful for Middlesbrough next Tuesday.

Mourinho is already without Scott Parker (broken foot) and has agreed to sell left-back Celestine Babayaro to Newcastle United.

Team (from): Cech, Cudicini, Johnson, Ferreira, Bridge, Gallas, Tiago, Terry, Lampard, Duff, Kezman, Gudjohnsen, Robben, Drogba, Makelele, Cole, Geremi.