Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola must decide whether to stick or twist with his starting XI for the visit of Chelsea in the Carabao Cup.

Iraola’s charges head into Wednesday night’s cup tie full of confidence after beating Brighton 2-0 at home after a physically draining contest, but full focus now turns to the visit of Chelsea.

Boss Iraola went fairly strong for Liverpool’s first EFL 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 used as Liverpool beat Tottenham Hotspur 3-1.

There is no major concern over Florian Wirtz’s availability after he was forced off with a knock during Sunday’s win against Brighton, but it might be sensible for the German to be rested against Chelsea on Wednesday night.

Florian Wirtz is an injury doubt

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With Dominik Szoboszlai and Victor Munoz still recovering from their respective issues, Liverpool would be slightly shorthanded when it comes to creative and goalscoring threat if they left out Alexander Isak.

The Swede has been in fine fettle this term, with six goals in seven Premier League appearances. Expect Isak to lead the line ahead of some changed faces, although Bradley Barcola could keep his place. Ngumoha is a trusted deputy on the right, while a replacement number 10 is needed if Wirtz is missing.

Nyoni could be drafted in to play higher up the pitch, sitting in front of Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch, who would offer both experience and stability for the Reds in the middle of the park.

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-flank of defence instead.

With Chelsea’s attacking prowess well established, Iraola might be tempted to name a settled back four. Milos Kerkez has more than enough energy to start at left-back again, while the centre-half pairing of Virgil Van Dijk and Jérémy Jacquet is starting to gel.

Giorgi Mamardashvili was handed game time in the last round of the cup, with Iraola preferring to rotate goalkeepers in cup competitions during his time at Bournemouth. As such, the Georgian will likely start in goal.

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

Doubts: Wirtz

Injured: Bradley, Frimpong, Szoboszlai, Ekitike, Munoz

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

Venue: Anfield

How to watch: Sky Sports