Liverpool host Chelsea in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup at Anfield on Wednesday evening, with the club's writers expecting a number of changes to the starting line-up. James McConnell is among the players tipped to feature as Andoni Iraola's side look to build on Arsenal's exit from the competition.
Goalkeeper and Defence Changes
All three Liverpool Echo writers agree that Giorgi Mamardashvili should start in goal. In defence, Kostas Tsimikas is a popular choice at left-back, while Ronald Araujo is selected at right-back by two of the three writers. Virgil van Dijk is given a rest by two of the writers, with Jeremy Jacquet and Joe Gomez among the centre-back options.
Midfield and Attack Picks
In midfield, James McConnell and Trey Nyoni feature in all three proposed teams, with Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch and a roaming role for Gravenberch also suggested. Up front, Lewis Koumas is selected to lead the line by all three writers, with Rio Ngumoha and Federico Chiesa, Cody Gakpo and Bradley Barcola among the wide options.
The writers' full teams are as follows:
- Paul Gorst (4-2-3-1): Mamardashvili; Gomez, Araujo, Jacquet, Tsimikas; Mac Allister, McConnell, Nyoni; Chiesa, Koumas, Ngumoha.
- Ian Doyle (4-2-3-1): Mamardashvili; Araujo, Jacquet, Gomez, Tsimikas; Gravenberch, Nyoni; Ngumoha, McConnell, Gakpo; Koumas.
- Mark Jones (4-2-3-1): Mamardashvili; Araujo, Gomez, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Nyoni, McConnell; Ngumoha, Gravenberch, Barcola; Koumas.
Iraola's Options and Rotation
Paul Gorst noted that the real conundrum is at centre-back, with Van Dijk rested and Ronald Araujo starting alongside Jeremy Jacquet. Ian Doyle highlighted that the League Cup is the quickest and earliest route to silverware, despite the draw pairing Liverpool with another Premier League opponent. Mark Jones pointed out that Chelsea, with Xabi Alonso and Jordan Henderson, are also expected to make several changes.
The match is the headline clash of the fourth round, with the winner progressing in the competition.
