A look at how Liverpool could line up when they host Chelsea in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night
Liverpool's Federico Chiesa during a training session at the AXA Training Centre(Image: Nick Potts/the Press Association)
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The Carabao Cup returns to Liverpool's schedule this week and a fourth-round tie with Chelsea is expected to see changes all around. It has the potential to be a strange old evening at Anfield as 2005 Champions League hero Xabi Alonso returns for the first time since he became Chelsea boss in the summer.
When Alonso arrived back on Merseyside with Bayer Leverkusen in 2024 and then as Real Madrid coach a year later, the former Spain midfielder was given a warm reception by the home fans.
But there is little love lost between these two sets of supporters and it will be interesting to see if that depth of feeling is still shared toward the Spaniard when the battle lines are drawn on Wednesday night.
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Giorgi Mamardashvili is expected to return in goal after playing an important role in the 3-1 win against Tottenham Hotspur in the previous round of this competition.
At right-back Ronald Araujo is going to potentially be rested ahead of Sunday's visit from Arsenal in the Premier League but with Jeremie Frimpong sidelined, it raises the prospect of Joe Gomez starting on that side of the pitch.
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At centre-back, Andoni Iraola has four options, but the issue is that three of those currently play in his first-choice back four. So if Gomez does not start at right-back, might that raise the prospect of a first appearance of the season for Wataru Endo?
The Japan captain hasn't played for the Reds since a season-ending injury at Sunderland in February, which came when he started on the right side of the back four. It would be something of a left-field option but would at least free up Gomez to operate in his preferred role in the centre.
Expect Virgil van Dijk to at least start on the bench and Jeremy Jacquet is also vying for a spot alongside Araujo. It's an awkward one for Iraola to get right at the heart of his defence. On the left, Kostas Tsimikas will likely deputise for Milos Kerkez.
In midfield, Trey Nyoni will be given another chance to impress but such are the paucity of the options in the middle of the park, Iraola will likely have to name one of his first-choice players to slot in alongside against the Londoners.
It could be a case of either Ryan Gravenberch or Alexis Mac Allister for Iraola as Dominik Szoboszlairests up for a potential recall to the squad against Arsenal. The head coach will be better placed to offer an update on that when he speaks to the media on Tuesday afternoon but James McConnell is also vying for a place.
Florian Wirtz has a twisted ankle, so finding a replacement is a must for the position that is pretty much the Germany international's own at Anfield right now. Does that mean Gravenberch will be asked to fill in further forward on Wednesday night? Iraola talked up his versatility on Friday and the Netherlands midfielder was trialled there against Villarreal.
Liverpool's Spanish head coach Andoni Iraola (L) checks on Liverpool's German midfielder #07 Florian Wirtz (R) as he leaves the game having picked up an injury during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Brighton and Hove Albion at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on October 25, 2026. (Photo by Paul Currie / AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /
Andoni Iraola checks on Florian Wirtz after the Liverpool star was forced to come back against Brighton (Image: Paul Currie / AFP via Getty Images)
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Federico Chiesa, who turned 29 on Sunday, could be in line for his first start of the campaign. Lewis Koumas is likely to deputise for Alexander Isak but does Rio Ngumoha start with Victor Munoz still expected to be sidelined?
If so, then the 18-year-old may find himself stationed on the left with Chiesa potentially drafted in to play on the right. Cody Gakpo is ready and available, of course, but with Sunday's visit from Arsenal surely taking priority, one suspects Iraola won't want to overextend too many of his senior players on the night.
Whatever team head coach Iraola picks, however, expect changes. Victory knocks out another high-profile challenger for the League Cup.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 2: Liverpool FC Head Coach Andoni Iraola concentrates after the pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Leeds United at Soldier Field on August 2, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Miller/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)
Liverpool's new head coach Andoni Iraola, pictured on the club's tour of the US(Michael Miller/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)