According to a report by London Evening Standard on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, Liverpool have announced their starting lineup for their Carabao Cup fourth-round encounter with Chelsea at Anfield, with Andoni Iraola making several changes to his team.

The Reds head into Wednesday night’s fixture on the back of a 2-0 Premier League victory over Brighton on Sunday. However, Iraola has had to consider the demands of a busy schedule while deciding how best to utilise his available players.

Liverpool began their Carabao Cup campaign with a 3-1 victory over Tottenham, a match that provided opportunities for young talents Lewis Koumas, Rio Ngumoha, Trey Nyoni and James McConnell alongside more experienced members of the squad.

Florian Wirtz has recovered from the knock he sustained against Brighton and has been included among the substitutes. His return gives Iraola another creative option if Liverpool need additional attacking quality during the contest.

Dominik Szoboszlai and Victor Munoz remain unavailable as they continue their respective recovery programmes. Alexander Isak and Bradley Barcola have also been rested, allowing other players to step into the starting lineup.

Ngumoha has been selected to provide attacking threat from the right, while McConnell gets another opportunity to impress in a more advanced role. Nyoni also returns to the starting team and will partner Ryan Gravenberch in the middle of the park.

Liverpool also have selection concerns at right-back, with both Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley still unavailable through injury. Ronald Araujo and Joe Gomez are therefore expected to provide defensive cover, although both have previously featured in central defensive positions during the competition.

Iraola will be hoping the selected players can deliver a strong performance against Chelsea and help Liverpool secure a place in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.

Liverpool Starting XI: Giorgi Mamardashvili; Ronald Araujo, Joe Gomez, Virgil van Dijk, Kostas Tsimikas; Trey Nyoni, Ryan Gravenberch; Cody Gakpo, James McConnell, Rio Ngumoha; Lewis Koumas.

Substitutes: Alisson Becker, Wataru Endo, Jacquet, Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak, Alexis Mac Allister, Federico Chiesa, Bradley Barcola and Chamber.