Andoni Iraola says Liverpool must treat every competition as a chance to lift silverware, as they prepare to face Chelsea in an EFL Cup round-of-16 showdown.

A quarter-final place will be on the line at Anfield as two Premier League heavyweights do battle, with Liverpool having already overcome Tottenham in the third round.

Liverpool were eliminated in the fourth round last season, going down 3-0 at home to Crystal Palace.  

They have not gone out before the quarter-final stage in consecutive seasons since 2017-18 (third round) and 2018-19 (third round), the latter of which was a home defeat to Chelsea.

Liverpool's two previous EFL Cup meetings with Chelsea were in the final of the competition, with the Reds lifting the trophy in both 2021-22 (0-0, won on penalties) and 2023-24 (1-0). 

And though Iraola acknowledges Liverpool were unfortunate to draw Xabi Alonso's side so early in the competition, he knows he will always be under pressure to deliver silverware to Merseyside. 

"We want to be in the next round. We've been unlucky in the draw; we are playing Chelsea. They have been unlucky also," Iraola told reporters. 

"But we want to earn the right to be in the draw again and that only happens if you win.

"Every competition is an opportunity, especially when you are the coach of Liverpool. You have to take it like this.

"I would love to win tomorrow and have the chance to go further in the competition, but I know we will have to play well and beat a very good team."

Midweek cup action at Anfield  https://t.co/pZSUWu9lxr

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Iraola was upbeat about Florian Wirtz's chances of being involved, after the Germany international was substituted during Sunday's 2-0 win over Brighton with an apparent ankle injury.

The Reds boss also acknowledged there was a need for squad rotation, with Liverpool playing three more games – against Arsenal and Crystal Palace in the Premier League and Fenerbahce in the Champions League – prior to the November international break.

"Florian was fine, I'm quite optimistic that he will be available," Iraola said. 

"There will definitely be changes, but we want to win the game, we want to be competitive. We need to see how the legs are.

"Not just in the League Cup, but also in the Champions League, we are trying to make some changes from game to game, because I think it's almost mandatory."