Headline: Liverpool Welcomes Chelsea as Xabi Alonso Returns to Anfield
Liverpool is set to host Chelsea in the Carabao Cup, marking the first return of Xabi Alonso to Anfield as Chelsea’s manager. Alonso, a former Liverpool midfielder, rose to fame during a period when Liverpool and Chelsea had a fierce rivalry, but he opted to move to Stamford Bridge in the summer rather than await the possibility of taking the managerial position at Liverpool.
Following the dismissal of Arne Slot, fellow Basque coach Andoni Iraola took charge at Liverpool, leading the team to four consecutive wins, a feat last achieved after their recent victory over Brighton.
On Saturday, Alonso’s team faced a setback with a defeat against Tottenham and will have to contend with the absence of Cole Palmer due to suspension. Striker Joao Pedro has been ruled out for a “few weeks” with an injury.
Additionally, former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson will make his return to Anfield as part of the Chelsea squad, as both teams vie for a spot in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.
Here’s everything you need to know
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Is Liverpool v Chelsea on TV?
Fans can catch the game on either Sky Sports or ITV. Sky Sports begins coverage on Main Event at 7pm, while ITV 1 will start its coverage at 7:30pm. The match kicks off at 8pm, followed by the fourth-round draw.
What is the team news?
Liverpool may make a late decision on including Florian Wirtz in their lineup against Chelsea, as he deals with an ankle issue. Manager Andoni Iraola hopes to have him available, though his inclusion remains uncertain.
Key players such as Dominik Szoboszlai and Victor Munoz are also major doubts due to thigh and knee injuries that have kept them out of Liverpool’s last two matches.
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Iraola plans to rotate the squad, possibly allowing players like Lewis Koumas, Trey Nyoni, Rio Ngumoha, and Kostas Tsimikas to come into the side. Liverpool will still be without the injured quartet of Hugo Ekitike, Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni, and Jeremie Frimpong.
Chelsea will be missing Joao Pedro for a few weeks due to injury, while Cole Palmer serves a suspension following his red card against Tottenham.
Despite having started in the previous match, Morgan Rogers had minimal impact, leading Alonso to consider starting 35-year-old Danny Welbeck, who has been a fixture in both previous Carabao Cup matches this season. Estevao is also likely to receive more playing time, while Mike Penders will continue as goalkeeper, despite errors in the last game, as Emiliano Martinez remains out with a fractured jaw.
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Possible line-ups
Liverpool XI: Mamardashvili; Araujo, Gomez, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Ngumoha, Nyoni, Gakpo; Koumas
Chelsea XI: Penders; Palestra, Lacroix, Colwill, Gusto; Henderson, Caicedo; Quenda, Estevao, Rogers; Welbeck
