Liverpool take on Chelsea in the Carabao Cup tonight, and Andoni Iraola has made some key selection decisions across the pitch.

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 fit enough for the bench after he was forced off with a knock during Sunday’s win against Brighton.

Dominik Szoboszlai and Victor Munoz are still recovering from their respective issues, while Alexander Isak is handed a rest. So too is Bradley Barcola.

Ngumoha is a trusted deputy on the right, while James McConnell gets the nod.

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

AFP/Getty

Nyoni is drafted in to the midfield, along with Ryan Gravenberch.

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.

Starting Liverpool XI vs Chelsea: Mamardashvili; Araujo, Gomez, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Nyoni, Gravenberch; Gakpo, McConnell, Ngumoha; Koumas

Subs: Alisson, Endo, Jacquet, Wirtz, Isak, Mac Allister, Chiesa, Barcola, Chamber

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

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

Venue: Anfield

How to watch: Sky Sports