Marc Cucurella’s injury is good news for Liverpool in the Premier League standings competition

Liverpool got an important boost in the Champions League zone competition after Chelsea reported missing Marc Cucurella due to a hamstring injury. The 27-year-old left-back is expected to be sidelined for up to four weeks, a situation that could potentially impact the race for a top-five position Premier League.

Currently Chelsea is two points ahead of Liverpool in the standings. The Reds have 42 points and are in sixth place, with 12 games remaining in the season. The focus of Arne Slot’s team is now completely focused on securing a place in Europe’s elite competition, after the chances of retaining the league title faded.

Injuries at Crucial Moments

Cucurella experienced problems when Chelsea drew 2-2 against Leeds United last week. He was withdrawn at half-time and did not continue the match. A report from Cadena SER in Spain states that the player will be absent for a minimum of three weeks and possibly up to a month.

Chelsea head coach, Liam Rosenior, did not provide certainty about the duration of his recovery when asked after the 4-0 win over Hull City in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

“He has a hamstring problem. I can’t say for sure when he will return,” said Rosenior.

Cucurella’s absence is a big loss for Chelsea. This season he has appeared 35 times and is a senior figure in the dressing room. In a crucial period towards the end of the season, losing core players is clearly not ideal news.

If this estimate is correct, Cucurella will miss the matches against Burnley, leaders Arsenal, third-place Aston Villa and Newcastle United, who are also chasing European tickets. This series of matches has the potential to determine Chelsea’s final position at the top.

Tight Competition for the Top Five Positions in the Standings

The competition for the top five is predicted to last until the final week. Manchester United, who is in fourth place, is only three points behind Liverpool. This small difference means that each match result has a direct impact on the movement of the standings.

Chelsea also didn’t just lose Cucurella. Levi Colwill is confirmed to be out until the end of the season due to an ACL injury. Apart from that, Jamie Gittens, Filip Jorgensen, Dario Essugo and Romeo Lavia are also still on the list of players who are not yet available.

Liverpool itself is scheduled to host Chelsea at Anfield on Saturday, May 9. At the first meeting of the season at Stamford Bridge, the Reds lost 1-2. This match has the potential to be one that determines the direction of the competition towards the Champions League.

With a tight point gap and a tough schedule ahead, the squad’s fitness condition could be a differentiating factor. Cucurella’s injury gives Liverpool an additional opportunity, but consistency in the remainder of the season remains key.

Premier League standings (16 February 2026)