Liverpool host Chelsea in the blockbuster EFL Cup fourth round at Anfield on Wednesday.
Andoni Iraola’s Liverpool have won four matches in a row across all competitions since their only defeat of the season, a 3-0 loss to Manchester City, and go into the tie off the back of a 2-0 win over Brighton. Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea arrive having lost 0-2 at home to Tottenham on Saturday, a result that leaves the Spanish manager needing a response on his first visit to Anfield as Chelsea boss; he lost there with both Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid, scoring no goals and conceding five across the two matches. Liverpool and Chelsea drew 1-1 when they last met at Anfield in May.
Liverpool vs Chelsea – Match preview and team news
- Date: Wednesday, 28 October 2026
- Kick-off: 20:00 BST
- Venue: Anfield
- Referee: Darren England
- Last meeting: Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea, 9 May 2026, Premier League
Team news
Liverpool
Conor Bradley, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong, Giovanni Leoni and Dominik Szoboszlai are all unavailable through injury. Florian Wirtz and Victor Munoz are doubts, while Alisson Becker, Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch, Bradley Barcola and Alexander Isak could all be rested with Arsenal to follow at the weekend.
Chelsea
Cole Palmer is suspended after his red card against Tottenham, and Reece James and Emiliano Martinez remain out through injury. Joao Pedro, Pep Chavarria, Emmanuel Emegha and Jamie Gittens will all be assessed before kick-off, while Estevao Willian is set for his first start in over a month.
Form
Liverpool
Liverpool have lost just once in all competitions this season and have won their last four matches, including a 4-3 comeback victory over Villarreal after trailing 2-0. They reached this round with a 3-1 win over Tottenham.
Chelsea
Chelsea have lost two of their last four matches, including Saturday’s home defeat to Tottenham, which was Spurs’ first win at Stamford Bridge since 2018. They reached this round with a 6-3 win over Leeds United.
Predicted lineups
Liverpool possible starting XI (4-2-3-1): Mamardashvili; Araujo, Jacquet, Gomez, Kerkez; Nyoni, Mac Allister; Ngumoha, McConnell, Gakpo; Koumas
Chelsea possible starting XI (4-3-3): Penders; Gusto, Fofana, Colwill, Palestra; Caicedo, Lavia, Barco; Estevao, Welbeck, Rogers
How to watch Liverpool vs Chelsea?
The match will be broadcast live in the United Kingdom on Sky Sports and ITV1.
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