Liverpool host Chelsea in the Carabao Cup fourth round at Anfield on Wednesday evening, with kick-off scheduled for 8pm. The Reds are aiming for a fifth consecutive victory in all competitions after back-to-back wins in the Premier League and the Champions League.
While the League Cup may be considered the least significant trophy available to Liverpool this season, no club has won the competition more times than the Reds, with their most recent success coming in the 2024 final against tonight's opponents.
The encounter carries added spice as Chelsea are now managed by Xabi Alonso, with Jordan Henderson also at the club, both of whom are regarded as Liverpool legends.
Team News and Build-Up
Paul Gorst, Ian Doyle and Theo Squires are at Anfield providing build-up, including team news when it is released, followed by an in-game commentary stream and post-match reaction and analysis.
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola, Chelsea counterpart Xabi Alonso, and Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta were born seven months apart and were all team-mates at the amateur club Antiguoko in San Sebastian. Iraola faces Alonso tonight and then Arteta on Sunday, after coming up against his former assistant at Rayo Vallecano, Inigo Perez, last week in the Champions League when the Reds beat Villarreal 4-3 at Anfield.
Speaking about Alonso, Iraola said: "Everyone knows that we were close friends, we grew up together, we played in the same team. We played as football players against each other, we played together in the national team in Spain and with the Basque country. But now he's the opposition and we want to beat him – and the same way he will do with us. After the game, we can talk, definitely."
He added: "I said the other day with Inigo and it's the same with Xabi, once we are playing against each other, the relationship is not good because you kind of stop talking to the other, kind of a respect thing. But he's a very good friend and I wish him all the best, definitely."
Context and Stakes
Liverpool's form has been somewhat understated, but a win against Arsenal on Sunday would move them within three points of the defending champions and potentially a Manchester City side facing possible sanctions. This has raised questions about whether Iraola might rest some of his key players for tonight's tie to focus on the league fixture.
However, with Arsenal eliminated after a loss at Fleetwood Town, and Manchester City expected to field a weakened side against Brighton, the draw appears to be opening up for Liverpool. The match against Chelsea is set to be a closely contested affair, with both teams eager to progress to the quarter-finals.
