Liverpool vs Chelsea: Predicted XI, Team News and Andoni Iraola’s Carabao Cup Dilemma

Andoni Iraola has a straightforward problem, the kind coaches usually prefer. Liverpool are winning, confidence is high and the squad has options. The complication is that Chelsea arrive at Anfield in the Carabao Cup with enough attacking quality to punish sentiment, fatigue or over-rotation.

Liverpool come into the tie after a 2-0 win over Brighton, a result that brought points and momentum, but also demanded plenty physically. That matters. Cup selection is rarely about rewarding the last performance, it is about managing the next one.

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Liverpool team news before Chelsea clash

Iraola rotated in the previous round without throwing the competition away. Lewis Koumas, Rio Ngumoha, Trey Nyoni and James McConnell all started as Liverpool beat Tottenham Hotspur 3-1, while senior players were still used to give the side enough authority.

This time, the balancing act looks tighter. Florian Wirtz is believed to be fit after going off with a knock against Brighton, but there is little sense in taking an unnecessary risk in October. Dominik Szoboszlai and Victor Munoz are still recovering, which reduces Liverpool’s creative depth if Wirtz does not start.

That leaves Alexander Isak as the obvious constant. He has six goals in seven Premier League appearances and Liverpool would be taking something important out of the side if they rested him as well. Bradley Barcola could retain his place, while Ngumoha looks a credible option again on the right.

Predicted Liverpool XI for Carabao Cup tie

If Wirtz is left out, Nyoni may be pushed into a more advanced role, with Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch behind him. That midfield would give Liverpool control and enough security against Chelsea’s forward runners.

At the back, the problem is specific. Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley remain unavailable, so right-back is still awkward. Joe Gomez and Ronald Araujo are both possibilities there, though Iraola may decide Chelsea are too dangerous to experiment too much with the defensive unit.

Milos Kerkez has the legs to go again at left-back, and the partnership between Virgil van Dijk and Jérémy Jacquet has started to settle. In goal, Giorgi Mamardashvili is expected to continue the cup rotation.

Predicted Liverpool XI: Mamardashvili, Araujo, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez, Mac Allister, Gravenberch, Ngumoha, Nyoni, Barcola, Isak

Selection call could define Liverpool approach

This is where Iraola earns his money. Go too strong and you risk wear and tear. Rotate too heavily and Chelsea take control of the night. The most likely answer is a team that mixes freshness with authority, and that usually means keeping your best striker on the pitch and your structure intact.

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

Kick-off is 8pm GMT on Wednesday, October 28, 2026 at Anfield.