**Date:** Wednesday 28th October 2026
**Venue**: Anfield
**Kick-off:** 20:00 BST
After what was arguably our worst performance under Alonso at the weekend, Chelsea now head to Anfield for the fourth round of the EFL Cup. Just what the doctor ordered after an embarrassing defeat: a trip to the stadium owned by the team that has won this competition more times than anyone else.
Liverpool, seeking League Cup title number 11 after beating Chelsea in the 2024 final, will likely rotate with Arsenal looming at the weekend. Chelsea will probably rotate too, although after Sunday some supporters are wondering whether rotating the entire squad, coaching staff and club mascot might be the better option.
Liverpool seem to have recovered nicely after their earlier defeat to City, while Chelsea continue their experimental phase of being simultaneously quite good, quite bad, and occasionally both in the same 90 minutes. The absence of Cole Palmer through suspension and João Pedro through injury does little to improve confidence levels, especially given that the duo are usually responsible for 90% of Chelsea’s attacking plans and 100% of Chelsea Twitter’s optimism.
The good news for Chelsea fans is that this is only the League Cup. The bad news is that it’s at Anfield.
Still, cup football can be unpredictable. Strange things happen. Miracles occur. Statistics become meaningless. Unfortunately, Liverpool scoring three before Chelsea have completed their first back pass also falls under “strange things happen”. Chelsea’s recent approach to defending could generously be described as “inclusive”, allowing everybody an opportunity to participate in goalscoring and Liverpool will no doubt make the most of our hospitality.
Of course, there’s always hope. Hope that the rotated Liverpool side struggles. Hope that Chelsea rediscover their form. Hope that somebody accidentally tells Penders he’s allowed to catch the ball.
Realistically, however, I expect us to lose. Probably by a lot.
But look on the bright side.
At least it isn’t Fleetwood.
**Predicted Match Timeline**
**11 mins:** Chelsea start brightly. Commentary team spend five minutes discussing our “identity”.
**12 mins:** Nobody is entirely sure what that identity is.
**28 mins:** Chelsea attempt to play out from the back. Liverpool thank them for their cooperation. Ngumoha scores. **Liverpool 1-0 Chelsea**
**Half-Time:** Liverpool 1-0 Chelsea
“Actually, we’re still in this.”
We are not.
**54 mins:** Camera cuts to Alonso looking like a man calculating how many transfer windows remain on his contract.
**63 mins:** Chelsea produce a genuinely excellent move and hit the post.
**65 mins:** Liverpool go straight up the other end and score.
**Liverpool 2-0 Chelsea**
**74 mins:** Commentators begin discussing Chelsea’s “long-term project”, football’s universal code for “this is hard to watch”.
**82 mins:** Random Chelsea substitute scores an absolute worldie from 30 yards.
**Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea**
**83 mins:** Chelsea fans begin wondering if a comeback is possible.
**85 mins:** Liverpool immediately score again.
**Liverpool 3-1 Chelsea**
**Full-Time:** Liverpool 3-1 Chelsea (if they’re lucky)
Chelsea out, Liverpool march on, and Chelsea fans still aren’t over the weekend yet, so tonight is a minor inconvenience.
**MANAGER’S VIEWS**
Going into today’s game, Liverpool manager, Andoni Iraola, says _“I said the other day with Inigo and it’s the same with Xabi, once we are playing against each other, the relationship is not good because you kind of stop talking to the other, kind of a respect thing. But he’s a very good friend and I wish him all the best, definitely._
_I think 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 and have the chance to get further in the competition. But I know that we have to play very well, we have to beat a very good team. It’s also a team that doesn’t play in Europe, so for sure for them this competition is also very important. So, it’s not going to be easy.”_
Chelsea manager, Xabi Alonso, meanwhile, says “_My warmth with Liverpool was there as a player. But now, I am in a different role. I need to support my club. I fight for my club and if we score, I will celebrate with whole respect.”_
**SQUAD NEWS**
For Liverpool, Conor Bradley (knee), Hugo Ekitike (Achilles), Jeremie Frimpong (muscle) and Giovanni Leoni (knee) are injured. Florian Wirtz (foot), Dominik Szoboszlai (muscle) and Victor Munoz (knee) are doubtful.
For Chelsea, Reece James (knee), Emi Martinez (jaw) and Joao Pedro (knee) are ruled out and Cole Palmer is suspended. Jamie Gittens (ankle) and Pep Chavarria, face last tests, although Emmanuel Emegha is available.
**TEAMS**
LIVERPOOL (Possible line-up): Mamardashvili; Araujo, Jacquet, Gomez, Kerkez; Nyoni, Mac Allister; Ngumoha, McConnell, Gakpo; Koumas
CHELSEA (Possible line-up): Penders; Gusto, Fofana, Colwill, Palestra; Caicedo, Lavia, Barco; Estevao, Welbeck, Rogers
**LAST MEETING**
Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea (9th May 2026)
**CURRENT FORM (ALL)**
LIVERPOOL: WLWWWW
CHELSEA: WDLWWL
**OTHER STUFF**
* Alonso has lost his previous 2 games at Anfield as a manager (Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid)
* Liverpool have lost just one game in all competitions so far this season
* Chelsea haven’t won away at Anfield since March 2021
* Liverpool have won their last four games across all competitions
* Liverpool have won the League Cup 10 times.
**PREDICTION**
[Sportsmole](Preview: Liverpool vs. Chelsea - prediction, team news, lineups - Sports Mole): Liverpool 3-2 Chelsea