Liverpool host Chelsea in the Carabao Cup tonight, with Andoni Iraola facing some key selection decisions.

The Reds head into Wednesday night’s blockbuster fourth round tie full of confidence after beating Brighton 2-0 at home in the Premier League after a physically draining contest.

Iraola went fairly strong for Liverpool’s first Carabao Cup match of the season, although 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.

Florian Wirtz is thought to be fit after he was forced off with a knock during Sunday’s win against Brighton, but it might be sensible for the German to be rested against Chelsea.

With Dominik Szoboszlai and Victor Munoz still recovering from their respective issues, Liverpool would be slightly shorthanded when it comes to creative and goalscoring threat if they left out Alexander Isak.

The Swede has been in fine fettle this term, with six goals in seven Premier League appearances. Expect Isak to lead the line ahead of some changed faces, although Bradley Barcola could keep his place.

Ngumoha is a trusted deputy on the right, while a replacement No10 is needed if Wirtz is missing.

Injury doubt: Andoni Iraola is optimistic that Florian Wirtz will play for Liverpool against Chelsea

AFP/Getty

Nyoni could be drafted in to play higher up the pitch, sitting in front of Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch, who would offer both experience and stability for the Reds in the middle of the park.

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.

With Chelsea’s attacking prowess well established, Iraola might be tempted to name a settled back four. Milos Kerkez has more than enough energy to start at left-back again, while the centre-back pairing of Virgil van Dijk and Jeremy Jacquet is starting to gel.

Giorgi Mamardashvili was handed game time in the last round of the cup, with Iraola preferring to rotate goalkeepers in cup competitions during his time at Bournemouth. As such, the Georgian will likely start in goal again.

Predicted Liverpool XI vs Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Mamardashvili; Araujo, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Ngumoha, Nyoni, Barcola; Isak

Injured: Bradley, Frimpong, Szoboszlai, Ekitike, Munoz, Leoni

Doubt: Wirtz

Time and date: 8pm GMT on Wednesday October 28, 2026

Venue: Anfield

How to watch: Sky Sports