Liverpool host Chelsea in the Carabao Cup fourth round on Wednesday night, with Andoni Iraola facing key selection decisions for the Anfield showdown.
The Reds head into the tie full of confidence after a 2-0 Premier League win over Brighton at home, following a physically draining contest.
Team News and Rotation
Iraola went fairly strong for Liverpool's first Carabao Cup match of the season, although there were signs of rotation. Youngsters Lewis Koumas, Rio Ngumoha, Trey Nyoni and James McConnell were all entrusted with starts, but plenty of key players were also used as Liverpool beat Tottenham 3-1.
Florian Wirtz is thought to be fit after he was forced off with a knock during Sunday's win against Brighton, but it might be sensible for the German to be rested against Chelsea. With Dominik Szoboszlai and Victor Munoz still recovering from their respective issues, Liverpool would be slightly shorthanded in creative and goalscoring threat if they left out Alexander Isak.
Predicted Lineup
The Swede has been in fine form this term, with six goals in seven Premier League appearances. Expect Isak to lead the line ahead of some changed faces, although Bradley Barcola could keep his place. Ngumoha is a trusted deputy on the right, while a replacement No10 is needed if Wirtz is missing.
Nyoni could be drafted in to play higher up the pitch, sitting in front of Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch, who would offer both experience and stability for the Reds in the middle of the park.
With Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley still ruled out, Liverpool have a headache at right-back. Joe Gomez and Ronald Araujo both started at centre-back in the Reds' first Carabao Cup tie of the season, but either man could start on the right of defence here instead.
Defensive and Goalkeeping Plans
With Chelsea's attacking prowess well established, Iraola might be tempted to name a settled back four. Milos Kerkez has more than enough energy to start at left-back again, while the centre-back pairing of Virgil van Dijk and Jeremy Jacquet is starting to gel.
Giorgi Mamardashvili was handed game time in the last round of the cup, with Iraola preferring to rotate goalkeepers in cup competitions during his time at Bournemouth. As such, the Georgian will likely start in goal again.
Predicted Liverpool XI vs Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Mamardashvili; Araujo, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Ngumoha, Nyoni, Barcola; Isak
Injured: Bradley, Frimpong, Szoboszlai, Ekitike, Munoz, Leoni. Doubt: Wirtz.
Time and date: 8pm GMT on Wednesday October 28, 2026. Venue: Anfield. How to watch: Sky Sports.
