Andoni Iraola has made seven changes to his Liverpool team against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, with one former Premier League winger confused by his choices

Former Crystal Palace and Reading winger Jobi McAnuff has questioned Andoni Iraola's decisions for Liverpool's Carabao Cup game against Chelsea at Anfield, with the Spanish coach making a number of changes.

Liverpool fielded an inexperienced team with seven changes, including bringing James McConnell into the starting midfield alongside Ryan Gravenberch and Trey Nyoni. Meanwhile, Lewis Koumas led the attack once again, with Rio Ngumoha and Cody Gakpo being deployed from the flanks.

In defense, though, Virgil van Dijk started — a decision which McAnuff questioned in a game in which Iraola could have opted to rest his superstar captain, who turns 36 next year.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, McAnuff said: "I was quite surprised to see Virgil van Dijk starting.

“Maybe it tells you a bit about where the squad is in terms of a lack of depth, because he is one that I had foreseen as being rested, particularly with a huge, huge game on Sunday.

"Araujo has played a lot of football, and I think he's been fantastic so far this season.

"It's just one or two that I thought might possibly get a rest, but I'm really delighted to see Rio Ngumoha starting.”

Van Dijk is well accustomed to playing regularly.

But with Giovanni Leoni still out with a long-term injury and Ronald Araujo playing at right-back, Iraola does not have many options at the position.

Joe Gomez was back for Liverpool on Wednesday, starting at right-back for the Reds, with Araujo alongside Van Dijk at center-back.

Van Dijk could leave the game at half-time, with Jeremy Jacquet on the bench, as Iraola's team has a hectic schedule ahead, with four games in the next 11 days before another international break.

Liverpool is hopeful that Jeremie Frimpong, Conor Bradley, and Leoni will all return in the coming weeks, allowing Van Dijk to be rested more frequently.

The Reds' FA Cup campaign will begin in early January, while they'll look to have a long run in the Carabao Cup.

Jordan Henderson was included in Chelsea's starting XI on Wednesday and received an interesting reaction from the Liverpool fans.