Liverpool’s Premier League title hopes have been boosted by claims that Diego Costa is embroiled in a row with Chelsea manager Antonio Conte.
The London club lead the Reds by five points but head into this weekend’s fixtures on the back of Tottenham ending their 13-game winning streak.
Conte’s side will travel to reigning champions Leicester City on Saturday evening but are expected to do so without the services of Costa, who has been omitted.
Various reports claim that the striker has not trained for the past three days due to a bust-up which now threatens to derail Chelsea’s bid for a second title in three seasons.
A row between Costa and club staff including Conte over the player’s fitness is said to be at the heart of the current stand-off between the two camps.
Also causing consternation at Stamford Bridge is news that the Spain international is mulling over several lucrative offers from the Chinese Super League.
Liverpool are set to welcome Chelsea to Anfield on January 31 and will aim to take a significant step to bridging the points gap during Sunday’s trip to Manchester United.