Liverpool host Chelsea in the Carabao Cup fourth round on Wednesday evening, with as many as twelve players potentially unavailable for the match. Head coach Andoni Iraola is dealing with a lengthy injury list ahead of the tie against a side Liverpool have now faced ten times in the competition.
Injury concerns for Iraola
The chief concerns for Iraola are Victor Munoz and Dominik Szoboszlai. Both were injured during the win at Brentford earlier this month and have missed the last two games, Munoz with a knock and Szoboszlai having aggravated a previous hamstring problem.
Florian Wirtz, who was forced off during the second half of Sunday's Premier League win over Brighton when picking up a knock, is expected to be available. Jeremie Frimpong is not expected back until after the November international break having suffered a muscle issue at Brentford.
Long-term absentees
Three other Liverpool players will definitely miss the game as they continue to recover from long-term injury. Forward Hugo Ekitike faces a battle to feature again this calendar year having suffered a serious Achilles injury in early April, while right-back Conor Bradley continues to recover from the major knee damage he sustained at Arsenal in early January.
Centre-back Giovanni Leoni is edging nearer a return to first-team training having been missing since last September with an ACL injury, but isn't expected back until the middle of next month.
Chelsea absentees
Chelsea are definitely without Cole Palmer, who is suspended after being sent off for two yellow cards in the 2-0 home Premier League defeat to Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, defender Reece James and striker Joao Pedro are all out, while there are major doubts over defender Pep Chavarria and winger Jamie Gittens.
