Liverpool vs Chelsea Carabao Cup: Preview & Predicted Lineup
By Ethan Parry
Liverpool’s Carabao Cup meetings with Chelsea have brought plenty of success to Merseyside in recent years.
The two sides have met in the League Cup final twice in the last five years, with Liverpool emerging victorious on both occasions. They meet again at Anfield this Wednesday in the fourth round of the competition.
Chelsea head coach Xabi Alonso returns to Anfield for the third time in three years, each time with a different club.
Liverpool head into the fixture on the back of four consecutive victories, with their most recent result being a 2-0 win over Brighton. The performance was described as Andoni Iraola’s most complete since taking charge, with the team working together effectively from front to back.
Every player who featured at the weekend appeared to understand their role, delivering a strong all-round performance.
Chelsea, meanwhile, arrive following a bruising defeat to rivals Tottenham Hotspur, who claimed just their second victory at Stamford Bridge in 36 years.
Alonso was disappointed with his side’s display, admitting that “we all take the blame for the result and for the performance” before describing the match as “one to reflect on”.
Liverpool v Chelsea | Carabao Cup Match Preview
The last time Chelsea visited Anfield for a league fixture was in 2018, when Eden Hazard produced a brilliant solo run through Liverpool’s midfield and defence before slotting home in a 2-1 victory for the visitors.
Liverpool booked their place in the fourth round with a 3-1 win over Tottenham, sealed by a superb Dominik Szoboszlai strike. However, the Reds will be without the midfielder for Wednesday’s encounter.
Chelsea progressed after an entertaining 6-3 victory over Leeds United in the third round. The result reflected their high-scoring start to the 2026/27 campaign, having netted 10 goals in their first four games.
Since then, they have scored nine goals in five matches but have managed just one clean sheet during that period.
Despite Liverpool’s recent form, Chelsea are unbeaten in their last three meetings with the Reds, winning twice and drawing once. The draw came at Anfield towards the end of Arne Slot’s reign.
However, Liverpool have enjoyed the better of recent encounters on home soil, remaining unbeaten against Chelsea at Anfield in their last five meetings. Their most recent home defeat to the Blues came in March 2021, when Mason Mount scored the only goal in a match played behind closed doors.
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When it comes to the Carabao Cup, Liverpool hold the bragging rights. Both of the clubs’ last two meetings in the competition came in the final, with the trophy heading back to Merseyside on each occasion.
In 2024, Virgil van Dijk’s 118th-minute header secured Liverpool’s 10th League Cup triumph after a hard-fought contest against Chelsea, with a youthful Reds side playing a crucial role in the victory.
Two years earlier, the sides played out 120 goalless minutes before a dramatic penalty shootout required 22 spot-kicks to separate them. Kepa Arrizabalaga missed Chelsea’s decisive penalty, sparking jubilant celebrations among Liverpool supporters.
Liverpool have won four of their last five matches, overcoming difficult opponents including Brentford and Brighton. Their forward trio of Bradley Barcola, Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz have also begun to make their mark, with all three contributing a goal or an assist during that run.
Iraola described the Brighton victory as “very valuable”, although he expressed hope that his side would produce even better performances in the future.
Chelsea’s recent form has been less consistent, with two wins, two defeats and a draw in their last five matches. They have shown their attacking potential in results such as a 5-1 victory over Bournemouth, but defensive concerns remain following a 3-0 defeat to Brentford.
Liverpool could also be without German midfielder Florian Wirtz, who picked up an ankle knock during Sunday’s match.
Chelsea will be missing star forward Cole Palmer, who received a second yellow card and was sent off, ruling him out of the trip to Anfield. His absence will be a significant blow for the visitors.
Liverpool have reached the quarter-finals of the competition three times in the last five years, winning the trophy twice and losing to Newcastle United in the final during their Premier League title-winning campaign.
Chelsea have also reached the quarter-finals on three occasions during that period. They lost both of their finals against Liverpool and were eliminated by Arsenal in last season’s semi-finals.
Wednesday’s clash kicks off at 8pm at Anfield, with both sides hoping to secure their place in the next round. Following Storm Boelo, they will also be hoping for calmer weather as they look to progress in the competition.
Predicted Liverpool Lineup
GK: Giorgi Mamardashvili
The Hungarian started Liverpool’s previous Carabao Cup match and impressed with several excellent saves. Iraola is expected to rotate Alisson out of the side once again, giving Mamardashvili another opportunity to start.
LB: Kostas Tsimikas
Having returned from his loan spell at Roma last season, the Greek international has made a number of positive appearances at left-back. He also featured against Tottenham in the previous round of the competition.
CB: Joe Gomez
With opportunities limited at the start of the season, Gomez could be handed another chance to impress in Wednesday’s fixture.
CB: Virgil van Dijk
With defensive options limited, captain Van Dijk may be required to feature, potentially for the opening 45 minutes, as Liverpool look to balance rotation with experience.
RB: Ronald Araújo
With Gomez and Ryan Gravenberch among the few other options available to fill in at right-back, Araújo could be required to take on the role once again on Wednesday.
CM: Trey Nyoni
The youngster has delivered some impressive performances whenever he has featured and is expected to earn another start in the Carabao Cup.
CM: Alexis Mac Allister
Mac Allister has already partnered Nyoni on three occasions, with the pairing offering a promising balance. The Argentine’s experience and composure could prove important alongside the young midfielder.
CM: Ryan Gravenberch
After a difficult start to the season, the Dutchman has begun to rediscover his best form. His presence would provide greater stability in midfield against an energetic Chelsea side.
RW: Rio Ngumoha
Ngumoha impressed with his lively performance against Villarreal in the Champions League and will be eager to build on that display against Chelsea.
LW: Cody Gakpo
Gakpo registered a goal and an assist in Liverpool’s previous Carabao Cup outing. His attacking threat and experience could be valuable in a relatively young forward line.
ST: Lewis Koumas
It has been something of a breakout season for the Welsh international. Following his player-of-the-match performance in the third round, Koumas is expected to lead the line again as he looks to continue his development.
