Marco Palestra could be handed his first Chelsea start against Liverpool on Wednesday night, with Xabi Alonso expected to make changes for the Carabao Cup clash at Anfield.

The Italian arrived from Atalanta during the summer in a deal worth around £50 million, but an injury picked up shortly before the start of the campaign delayed his first start.

He finally made his Chelsea debut during the 5-1 victory over Bournemouth on October 10, coming off the bench for the closing stages. The 21-year-old has since been left waiting for a chance to start.

However, with Cole Palmer suspended and several first-team players unavailable, Alonso is expected to rotate his squad against Liverpool. That could open the door for Palestra to make his first competitive start.

Marco Palestra tipped to make first Chelsea start against Liverpool

According to Football Italia, via Live Score, Palestra is in contention to feature from the beginning against Liverpool as Alonso looks to progress to the competition's next round.

The summer signing impressed during pre-season, showing his ability to operate in different positions on the flanks. His versatility will prove useful as Chelsea begin a busy run of fixtures.

Palestra's debut offered a brief glimpse of those qualities too. He played on both the right and left during his appearance against Bournemouth, proving that he can give Alonso an option whenever the team needs a change.

Chelsea are expected to make several changes following Saturday's disappointing 2-0 defeat to Spurs, with Malo Gusto and Palestra among the options for the wide positions.

Alonso has to balance the side's need to respond to that loss with the upcoming demands of Saturday's Premier League meeting with Manchester United, suggesting minutes for some of his less-used players are much needed.

Premier League's demands still raise questions

Despite the possibility of a first start in the Carabao Cup, Palestra faces a challenge to establish himself in the Premier League.

The Italian's ability to play on either flank is an advantage, but it also leaves questions over where he can make the biggest impact. Alonso has not yet settled on a definitive role for him, and regular minutes will depend on how he performs when these opportunities arrive.

His injury setback also disrupted the momentum he had built during pre-season, leaving him playing catch-up compared to some of his teammates.

At 21, there is plenty of time for Palestra to develop, and Chelsea's investment in him proves the potential the club believe he possesses. However, he will need to turn promising cameos into consistent performances if he is to challenge for a regular starting place.

Wednesday's trip to Anfield could be an important first step. A strong display would give Alonso another reason to trust him, while also helping the 21-year-old to build the match sharpness he missed during his spell on the sidelines.