Xabi Alonso returns to Anfield as Chelsea boss tonight hoping his side can bounce back from their poor performance against Tottenham at the weekend and secure a place in the EFL Cup quarter-finals.
Spurs cruised to a 2-0 victory at Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening with the hosts looking completely out of sorts and their frustration boiled over when Cole Palmer was sent-off for two yellow cards.
Alonso has taken two teams to Liverpool before – Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid – and lost on both occasions.
Liverpool have won their last four in all competitions and are gathering pace under Andoni Iraola.
Their latest success came at home to Brighton at the weekend with a Pascal Groß own goal and a close-range finish from Alexander Isak settling the contest in the first half.
LIVERPOOL TEAM NEWS
Only Ronald Araujo, Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch and Cody Gakpo retain their places from the XI that started against Brighton.
Youngsters James McConnell, Trey Nyoni, Rio Ngumoha and Lewis Koumas all come in.
Liverpool are still without Conor Bradley, Jeremie Frimpong and Hugo Ekitike.
Liverpool: Mamardashvili; Gomez, Araujo, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; McConnell, Gravenberch, Nyoni; Gakpo, Ngumoha, Koumas
Liverpool substitutes: Alisson, Endo, Jacquet, Wirtz, Isak, Mac Allister, Chiesa, Barcol, Chambers
CHELSEA TEAM NEWS
Alonso makes four changes to the side that faced Spurs with Wesley Fofana, Malo Gusto, Romeo Lavia and Danny Welbeck coming in. Levi Colwill, Jorrel Hato, Geovany Quenda drop out while Cole Palmer is suspended.
João Pedro is out for a “few weeks” with a knee injury while goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez is still absent, so Mike Penders keeps his place in goal despite his error on Saturday.
Chelsea: Penders; Acheampong, Fofana, Lacroix; Gusto, Neto, Caicedo, Lavia, Henderson; Rogers, Welbeck
Chelsea substitutes: Sharman-Lowe, Colwill, Subuloye, Palestra, Barco, Nicoll-Jazuli, Estevao, Quenda, Emegha
Where to Watch Liverpool v Chelsea: TV and online streams
Liverpool versus Chelsea kicks off at 8pm GMT on Wednesday, October 28 at Anfield.
The match is live on Sky Sports and ITV1 in the UK, with streaming also available on ITVX and the Sky Go app.
Supporters overseas should check their local EFL Cup TV rights holders.
Recent Form & Stats for Liverpool v Chelsea
- The clubs are meeting for the 202nd time in all competitions, with Liverpool winning 87 and losing 67.
- The last two encounters in the EFL Cup were in the finals of 2022 and 2024.
- Of their last 12 ties played in this competition, Liverpool are facing opposition from London for the eighth time.
- Liverpool’s last three Anfield defeats in the League Cup have all been inflicted by London teams – Chelsea (2018-19), Arsenal on penalties (2020-21) and Crystal Palace (2025-26).
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