Liverpool face Chelsea in the Carabao Cup fourth round at Anfield on Wednesday night, with Andoni Iraola making several selection decisions across the pitch. The Reds enter the tie full of confidence after a 2-0 home Premier League win over Brighton in a physically draining contest.
Rotation and Youth in Starting XI
Iraola went fairly strong for Liverpool's first Carabao Cup match of the season, though 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 in the previous round.
Florian Wirtz is fit enough for the bench after he was forced off with a knock during Sunday's win against Brighton. Dominik Szoboszlai and Victor Munoz are still recovering from their respective issues, while Alexander Isak is handed a rest, as is Bradley Barcola.
Defensive and Midfield Adjustments
Ngumoha is a trusted deputy on the right, while James McConnell gets the nod. Nyoni is drafted into the midfield along with Ryan Gravenberch. 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.
Confirmed Lineup and Match Details
Starting Liverpool XI vs Chelsea: Mamardashvili; Araujo, Gomez, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Nyoni, Gravenberch; Gakpo, McConnell, Ngumoha; Koumas.
Subs: Alisson, Endo, Jacquet, Wirtz, Isak, Mac Allister, Chiesa, Barcola, Chamber.
Injured: Bradley, Frimpong, Szoboszlai, Ekitike, Munoz, Leoni. The match kicks off at 8pm GMT on Wednesday October 28, 2026, at Anfield, and will be broadcast on Sky Sports.
