Xabi Alonso could make wholesale changes to the starting lineup when Chelsea face Liverpool in the Carabao Cup fourth round. The Blues will be without some big names, due to both injury and suspension, when they lock horns with Andoni Iraola's side at Anfield on Wednesday night, rolling out the red carpet for those on the periphery to make an impression.

Speaking to reporters at Cobham training ground on Tuesday afternoon, the Chelsea manager commented on the absence of Joao Pedro, who has suffered a thigh injury. Alonso said: "He is a key player.

"We will miss him, but we will have to be ready to deal with the injury and to be competitive and to try to win games with the players that we have available.

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"We are starting tomorrow against Liverpool, a cup game. This is the situation. We are ready to fight for it and ready to prove that we can show the level."

Alonso added: "This is why you build a squad. Some players are important, but these are situations that can happen, and you need to be looking for solutions, not looking for excuses."

So, with the Chelsea manager expected to shuffle the pack, journalists at football.london have debated the starting lineup for the Liverpool game.

Bobby Vincent

After his mistake on Saturday, Mike Penders will be hoping for a much-improved display at Anfield. Emi Martinez is still absent after having surgery on his fractured jaw earlier in the month.

Wesley Fofana could make his first start for Chelsea since the 3-0 defeat at Brentford last month. Josh Acheampong could drop out of the side and come back in for the visit of Manchester United on Saturday.

Marco Palestra is expected to make his first competitive start for the club since signing in the summer transfer window. The Italian could start on the right-hand side, with Jorrel Hato on the other flank.

Romeo Lavia might return to the midfield in place of Jordan Henderson. There is a chance that Valentin Barco starts at Anfield but Alonso might be tempted to use Moises Caicedo in there instead.

Cole Palmer misses out due to suspension, so Estevao Willian could make his first start since the last round of the Carabao Cup on September 9. Morgan Rogers could start as the left-sided No.10, with Danny Welbeck up front due to Joao Pedro still being injured.

Bobby's XI (3-4-3): Penders; Fofana, Lacroix, Colwill; Palestra, Lavia, Caicedo, Hato; Estevao, Rogers, Welbeck.

Jake Stokes

Xabi Alonso could make five changes to the starting lineup, starting with a small tweak to the backline. Josh Acheampong hasn't put a foot wrong so far this season, establishing himself as a regular starter, but he needs to stay fresh for the weekend when Chelsea face Manchester United.

Equally, the Blues manager needs to give Wesley Fofana a chance to at least stake a claim for a place in the side, and there's no better opportunity to put him to the test. A bit of healthy competition could help them reach that next level.

In an ideal world, Moises Caicedo gets a rest, having only recently returned to action following a spell on the sidelines. But, unfortunately for Alonso, Chelsea seem to be in a position where they can't really function without him in the middle of the park.

Nonetheless, it will be great to, hopefully, see Romeo Lavia back in action and reclaim his place in the starting lineup for good. Marco Palestra has gradually played more and more off the bench recently, so he'll likely start on the right.

With question marks still hanging over the head of Pep Chavarria, Jorrel Hato will probably remain on the left, which is great... so long as he remains fit and available for the weekend! Up top, Estevao Willian should come in for Cole Palmer and Danny Welbeck for Joao Pedro.

I'd like to see a little more of Geovany Quenda, too, on Wednesday evening, as well as Emmanuel Emegha.

Jake's starting lineup to face Liverpool: Mike Penders; Levi Colwill, Maxence Lacroix, Wesley Fofana; Jorrel Hato, Romeo Lavia, Moises Caicedo, Marco Palestra; Morgan Rogers, Estevao Willian; Danny Welbeck.