Xabi Alonso knows what a big night at Anfield feels like. Unfortunately for the former Liverpool midfielder, the home crowd won’t be doing him any favours on Wednesday.
The Chelsea manager returns to Merseyside with his side searching for a response to Saturday’s 2-0 defeat against Tottenham. It was a particularly ugly afternoon for the Blues, who lost Cole Palmer to a red card and were comfortably beaten by a Spurs team that rarely enjoys visiting Stamford Bridge.
Liverpool, meanwhile, have finally found some rhythm under Andoni Iraola.
Four consecutive victories across all competitions have helped the Reds recover from their 3-0 defeat to Manchester City earlier this month. Sunday’s 2-0 victory over Brighton also delivered their first clean sheet in five matches.
But there is a complication.
Liverpool host Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday, and Iraola must decide how many regular starters he can afford to risk in a Carabao Cup fourth-round tie.
Chelsea have no European commitments this season, potentially giving Alonso greater freedom to prioritise domestic cup football.
With injuries affecting both squads and several fringe players expected to feature, Wednesday’s meeting could be considerably more unpredictable than recent form suggests.
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What are the best betting tips for Liverpool vs Chelsea?
Liverpool to win and over 2.5 goals
Liverpool’s recent attacking performances have been impressive, even if their defending hasn’t always matched that standard.
Iraola’s side have scored 15 goals across their last four victories, including six against LASK and four against Villarreal.
The Champions League victory over Villarreal was particularly revealing. Liverpool fell 2-0 behind before recovering to win 4-3, demonstrating both their attacking resilience and their tendency to make life unnecessarily difficult for themselves.
Chelsea could exploit those defensive weaknesses.
However, Alonso’s side have problems of their own.
The Blues have conceded seven goals across their last four Premier League fixtures, including three against Brentford and two against Tottenham.
Liverpool should create opportunities at Anfield regardless of how heavily Iraola rotates.
Cody Gakpo, Rio Ngumoha and Federico Chiesa are among the attacking options available, while Alexander Isak could feature if the manager decides to retain some experience.
Chelsea also have enough quality to contribute to an entertaining contest, particularly if Estêvão and Danny Welbeck start.
A straightforward Liverpool victory is tempting, but combining the home win with over 2.5 goals offers a more ambitious selection.
Both teams to score in the second half
Liverpool have developed a habit of producing eventful matches, and Wednesday’s fixture has the ingredients for another.
The Reds conceded three against Villarreal and three against LASK, while their 2-0 win over Brighton was their first clean sheet in five games.
Chelsea have been inconsistent, but their attacking potential remains significant.
Alonso’s side scored five against Bournemouth earlier this month and six against Leeds in the previous round of the Carabao Cup.
That 6-3 victory over Leeds also demonstrated how quickly a cup match can become chaotic when both sides commit players forward.
The second half could be particularly interesting.
Both managers are likely to use their substitutes extensively, with several players returning from injury or pushing for more first-team opportunities.
Tired legs, unfamiliar defensive combinations and attacking changes could create chances at both ends as the match progresses.
This is a considerably riskier selection than both teams to score across the full match, but the additional difficulty should be reflected in the price.
It’s one to consider if the bookmakers offer a worthwhile return.
Cody Gakpo anytime goalscorer
Liverpool’s expected rotation could create an opportunity for Cody Gakpo to take centre stage.
The Dutch international scored against Tottenham in the previous round and is among the players expected to feature against Chelsea.
Gakpo offers Liverpool a direct goal threat from the left, particularly when cutting inside onto his stronger right foot.
His ability to arrive in the penalty area also makes him dangerous when Liverpool attack from the opposite flank.
Chelsea’s defensive problems provide encouragement.
The Blues were comfortably beaten by Tottenham on Saturday, and Alonso may be forced into further changes with several defenders unavailable or managing fitness concerns.
Liverpool’s attacking options could be limited by injuries, but Gakpo should still receive opportunities if selected.
The important detail is whether he starts.
Iraola could use him centrally or from the left, depending on the availability of Isak and his plans for Sunday’s Arsenal match.
Either role offers goalscoring potential, although a starting position closer to goal would strengthen the case considerably.
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How to watch Liverpool vs Chelsea
Date: Wednesday, 28 October 2026
Kick-off: 8pm GMT
Venue: Anfield, Liverpool
Competition: Carabao Cup fourth round
United Kingdom: ITV1, ITVX, Sky Sports Main Event and NOW.
United States: Paramount+. Kick-off is at 4pm ET.
Canada: Check local EFL Cup broadcast listings for confirmed coverage.
Liverpool predicted lineup and team news
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Predicted XI: Mamardashvili; Araújo, Jacquet, Gomez, Kerkez; Nyoni, Mac Allister; Ngumoha, McConnell, Gakpo; Koumas.
Liverpool’s injury situation is likely to influence Iraola’s selection.
Florian Wirtz suffered an ankle problem during Sunday’s victory over Brighton and is doubtful for Wednesday’s match.
The German midfielder has played an important role in Liverpool’s recent improvement, but risking him before the Arsenal fixture would be a significant gamble.
Dominik Szoboszlai is also unlikely to feature as he continues recovering from a muscular problem.
Conor Bradley, Jeremie Frimpong, Hugo Ekitike and Giovanni Leoni remain unavailable.
Víctor Muñoz could return, although his fitness will need assessing.
Iraola is expected to make changes throughout the team.
Giorgi Mamardashvili could replace Alisson in goal, while Joe Gomez and Jérémy Jacquet are candidates to feature in defence.
Trey Nyoni and James McConnell could receive opportunities in midfield, potentially alongside the experienced Alexis Mac Allister.
Further forward, Rio Ngumoha and Lewis Koumas are pushing for starts.
Gakpo is another likely inclusion, while Federico Chiesa could make his first start under Iraola.
The biggest question is whether Alexander Isak is rested.
The Swedish striker scored his sixth goal of the season against Brighton, and his availability would significantly strengthen Liverpool’s attacking options.
Chelsea predicted lineup and team news
Formation: 4-3-3
Predicted XI: Penders; Gusto, Fofana, Colwill, Palestra; Caicedo, Lavia, Barco; Estêvão, Welbeck, Rogers.
Chelsea will be without Cole Palmer after his dismissal against Tottenham.
The England international received two yellow cards at Stamford Bridge and must serve a one-match suspension.
João Pedro is also a major doubt after suffering a knee injury in training before the Spurs fixture.
The Brazilian has scored five Premier League goals this season, making his potential absence another significant blow to Alonso’s attack.
Reece James and Emiliano Martínez remain sidelined, while Jamie Gittens, Emmanuel Emegha and Pep Chavarría face fitness assessments.
Mike Penders is expected to continue in goal.
The young Belgian endured a difficult afternoon against Tottenham, conceding an unfortunate own goal, but Alonso has publicly backed him.
Malo Gusto, Wesley Fofana and Levi Colwill are among the defensive options, while Moisés Caicedo and Roméo Lavia could feature in midfield.
Valentín Barco may also be handed an opportunity.
Further forward, Estêvão is pushing for a start after featuring against Leeds in the previous round.
Danny Welbeck is another candidate to lead the attack, with Morgan Rogers providing support.
Alonso has more freedom to select a strong team than his opposite number, although Saturday’s Premier League meeting with Manchester United will also influence his decisions.
Liverpool vs Chelsea stats
- Liverpool have won their last four matches across all competitions.
- The Reds have scored 15 goals during that four-match winning streak.
- Liverpool have kept just one clean sheet in their last five fixtures.
- Iraola’s side came from 2-0 down to beat Villarreal 4-3 in the Champions League.
- Liverpool defeated Tottenham 3-1 in the previous round of the Carabao Cup.
- Chelsea lost 2-0 at home to Tottenham on Saturday.
- Chelsea beat Leeds 6-3 in the previous round, having previously defeated Luton 2-0.
- Chelsea are unbeaten in their last three meetings with Liverpool, winning twice and drawing once.
- Liverpool are unbeaten in their last five home meetings with Chelsea.
- Liverpool have won the League Cup a record 10 times, while Chelsea have lifted the trophy five times.
Liverpool vs Chelsea prediction
Liverpool’s recent form makes them favourites in my eyes, but the team selections could change the picture considerably.
Iraola has found a way to get his side scoring regularly, and their four-match winning streak should provide confidence.
However, Liverpool’s defensive record remains a concern, particularly if several regular starters are rested.
Chelsea have the quality to punish mistakes, even without Palmer and potentially João Pedro.
Alonso’s side also have fewer competing commitments, which could allow him to name a stronger lineup than Liverpool.
Nevertheless, Chelsea’s performance against Tottenham raised serious questions about their defensive organisation and ability to cope with sustained pressure.
Anfield is hardly the ideal place to address those problems.
I expect both teams to create opportunities, particularly as the match opens up in the second half.
Liverpool’s attacking depth and home advantage could ultimately prove decisive, although I wouldn’t be surprised if Chelsea made them work for it.
Score prediction: Liverpool 3-2 Chelsea
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