Chelsea predicted line-up vs Liverpool: five changes made amid big starting call on £43m gem
The latest Chelsea team news, injury update and predicted XI ahead of their Carabao Cup clash with Liverpool
Chelsea will be looking to lift their spirits this week, as they prepare to take on Liverpool in the Carabao Cup following their dismal 2-0 home defeat to Tottenham. The Premier League clash saw Xabi Alonso’s side hand their opponents 69% of possession - a tactical decision that completely backfired and incurred the wrath of the Stamford Bridge faithful.
The Blues haven’t won a domestic trophy since 2018, and will be eager to see off Liverpool in midweek and book their place in the quarter-finals of the competition. Chelsea finished runners-up to Liverpool in both 2022 and 2024, and will be mindful of their chance to get revenge for their past defeats when they head to Anfield on Wednesday evening.
Ahead of their upcoming clash, Alonso has some injury concerns to deal with. Star striker Joao Pedro looks set to miss out with an unspecified problem, along with the likes of Pep Chavarria, Jamie Gittens, Emi Martinez, and Reece James. Cole Palmer will also miss the game through suspension, after being sent off against Spurs. Here is the most likely starting XI Chelsea will field against Liverpool.
Chelsea predicted XI vs Liverpool: goalkeeper and defence
Chelsea will be without star goalkeeper Emi Martinez for a number of weeks, after he suffered a broken jaw in the Blues’ 2-0 win at Everton earlier this month. His understudy, Mike Penders, will remain between the sticks on Wednesday evening, as he looks to atone for his error that gifted Spurs the opening goal at Stamford Bridge last weekend.
Alonso is likely to stick with his favoured formation that deploys three central defenders and wing-backs. It remains to be seen whether he opts to heavily rotate his side, but with a lunchtime kick-off against Manchester United on the horizon, he is likely to make at least some changes for the visit to Liverpool.
Wesley Fofana could come in for Josh Acheampong on the right side on the back three, with Maxence Lacroix and Levi Colwill - a past transfer target of Liverpool - set to keep their starting spots. They’ll be flanked by two wing-backs, with £43m summer signing Marco Palestra poised for his first start on the right, with Jorrel Hato playing on the left.
Chelsea predicted XI vs Liverpool: midfield and attack
In midfield, ex-Liverpool star Jordan Henderson could be rested after starting four games in a row for his new club. This could see Romeo Lavia brought back into the side, to partner star man Moises Caicedo in the heart of midfield. The latter has been a welcome return to the side, after missing the bulk of the start of the season through injury.
Palmer will miss the game due to suspension, after being sent off following two yellow cards against Tottenham. The Blues will like field Estevao as his replacement, as Alonso continues to try and figure out how to work the wonderkid winger into a system that doesn’t utilise wingers.
£117m summer signing Morgan Rogers is set to take up the other attacking position, as he aims to add to the four goals and four assists he’s already provided this season. Up top, the Blues are highly unlikely to risk fielding the injured Pedro, and look set to deploy veteran striker Danny Welbeck to lead the line instead.
Chelsea predicted XI vs Liverpool: Penders; Fofana, Lacroix, Colwill; Palestra, Lavia, Caicedo, Hato; Rogers, Estevao; Welbeck.