Liverpool Clash With Chelsea: Bold Predictions, Key Lineups, and What to Expect

The marquee matchup of the Carabao Cup fourth round will see Liverpool take on Chelsea in Wednesday's closing fixture.

Neither side will want to bow out at the fourth-round stage—the kind of elimination that heaps pressure on anyone regardless of the situation—so we can anticipate a compelling contest between two clubs that harbor genuine aspirations of lifting this trophy.

Liverpool come into this match brimming with confidence, having put together eight victories and a draw from their last 10 outings, and they will be strong favorites against a Chelsea side that has tumbled back into turmoil following a dreadful 2–0 home loss to Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend.

It's still early days in the season, but this is the type of fixture that can truly shape the trajectory of a club's campaign.

Here's everything you need to know ahead of this one.

Liverpool vs. Chelsea Score Prediction

Reds Edge Tense Affair

Xabi Alonso heads back to Anfield with the stakes cranked up to the maximum. Chelsea have been entertaining this season, but questions surrounding their tactical shape and defensive vulnerabilities are dominating the conversation following the ugly nature of the defeat to Spurs. He desperately needs a statement result, but Liverpool are in no mood to be generous.

The Reds have found their rhythm after a rocky beginning to the Andoni Iraola era. While they have their own defensive concerns, the 2–0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion will have injected extra belief into a squad that, despite the mixed signals, has suffered just one defeat all season—and that came against Manchester City.

Rotated lineups will likely shift the balance of power to some degree, but Liverpool should possess enough quality to progress, even if this tie requires extra time to settle.

Prediction: Liverpool 1–1 Chelsea (Liverpool win on penalties)

Liverpool Predicted Lineup vs. Chelsea

Adding complexity to Liverpool's situation is this weekend's pivotal Premier League showdown with Arsenal. Iraola will have that match in mind and may look to preserve some of his key players on the bench.

Expect Alisson, Virgil van Dijk, Bradley Barcola and Florian Wirtz to be rested, with the latter nursing a minor foot complaint. Some younger players should get their chance, though winger Víctor Muñoz may miss out due to a knee issue.

Dominik Szoboszlai, Hugo Ekitiké, Jeremie Frimpong, Giovanni Leoni and Conor Bradley all continue to be sidelined for Liverpool.

Liverpool predicted lineup vs. Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Mamardashvili; Araújo, Jacquet, Gomez, Kerkez; Nyoni, Mac Allister; Ngumoha, McConnell, Gakpo; Koumas

Chelsea Predicted Lineup vs. Liverpool

Palmer's suspension is a significant setback for Chelsea, who will also be without striker Pedro for several weeks following his latest injury. Replacing the Brazilian with Morgan Rogers failed to pay off against Spurs, so experienced campaigner Danny Welbeck could earn a place in the starting eleven.

Emiliano Martínez and Reece James are both on the treatment table, while there are fitness concerns surrounding Pep Chavarría, Jamie Gittens and Emmanuel Emegha, who is believed to be nearing a return from a preseason injury.

Alonso faces mounting calls to hand Estêvão more game time after a subdued start to the season for the Brazilian starlet. He looks set to feature from the off here.

Chelsea predicted lineup vs. Liverpool (3-4-2-1): Penders; Fofana, Acheampong, Hato; Gusto, Caicedo, Lavia, Palestra; Estêvão, Rogers; Welbeck

What Time Does Liverpool vs. Chelsea Kick Off?

How to Watch Liverpool vs. Chelsea on TV, Live Stream