Anfield under the lights, a Carabao Cup quarter-final place on the line and a familiar face in the wrong dugout. Liverpool host Chelsea tonight, and the story writes itself. Xabi Alonso, a former Liverpool midfielder, returns to Anfield for the third time as a manager and the first in charge of Chelsea. This is exactly why cup football is unmissable.
Alonso vs Iraola: The Storyline
Liverpool appointed Andoni Iraola over Alonso after Arne Slot’s exit, so tonight is a chance for Alonso to show they overlooked him. History is not on his side. He has lost both of his previous visits to Anfield as a manager, with Leverkusen and Real Madrid. He has promised to celebrate if Chelsea score, with full respect. Jordan Henderson also makes his own return to Anfield.
Liverpool vs Chelsea Team News
Expect heavy rotation. Iraola has said there will definitely be changes, with Sunday’s clash against Arsenal looming. Szoboszlai, Muñoz, Frimpong, Ekitike, Leoni and Bradley are all out, and Florian Wirtz is the only doubt. Wirtz twisted his ankle against Brighton, but he could be involved
Chelsea have problems up front. Joao Pedro is out for a few weeks, though Emmanuel Emegha is fit again. Welbeck and Estêvão are in contention to start.
Form Guide
Iraola’s side have won their last four matches, including a win over in-form Brighton at the weekend. That run includes a seven-goal thriller against Villarreal in the Champions League. In this competition, Liverpool beat Tottenham 3-1, while Chelsea came from 2-0 down to beat Leeds 6-3.
Chelsea arrive wounded. Saturday’s 2-0 home defeat to Tottenham let Liverpool leapfrog them into fifth place in the Premier League. Pressure is already building on Alonso.
Key Stats Before Kick-off
- Chelsea have not won at Anfield in front of fans since a 2-1 League Cup win in September 2018.
- Liverpool have won the League Cup a record ten times, beating Chelsea 1-0 in the 2024 final through a Van Dijk extra-time header.
- If Van Dijk scores, he becomes the third-oldest player to score for Liverpool in this competition.
- Cody Gakpo has scored in all six of his League Cup appearances at Anfield, seven goals in total.
Prediction and What Comes Next
With a deeper squad and momentum, Liverpool look slight favourites. A 2-1 Liverpool win is the prediction in one preview, with Liverpool to qualify. The winner joins Fleetwood, who knocked out Arsenal, in the quarter-finals. After that, Liverpool face Arsenal on Sunday and Chelsea host Manchester United on Saturday.
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