Liverpool Set to Rotate Key Players Against Chelsea Ahead of Crucial Arsenal Showdown

Andoni Iraola is set to discover a great deal about his Liverpool squad over the coming week.

While a blockbuster Premier League encounter with Arsenal looms large, the immediate priority is a home fixture against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup fourth round on Wednesday.

The Reds are riding a wave of confidence, buoyed by a 2–0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion at the weekend. Iraola will fancy his side's chances against a Chelsea team enduring a turbulent spell under Liverpool icon Xabi Alonso, though the temptation to shield key players ahead of the Arsenal showdown could make selection decisions tricky.

Here's how Liverpool might line up for this fixture.

Liverpool Predicted Lineup vs. Chelsea (4-2-3-1)

GK: Giorgi Mamardashvili—A campaign spent as understudy to Alisson appears inevitable for Mamardashvili, who will be eager to keep Liverpool alive in this tournament given it may represent his primary opportunity for game time.

RB: Ronald Araújo—Fitness concerns surrounding Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong restrict Iraola's rotation options here, especially given that Araújo is already operating away from his natural position.

CB: Jérémy Jacquet—Chelsea had hoped to secure Jacquet's services back in January and will be particularly irked to witness how seamlessly he has adapted to Premier League football.

CB: Joe Gomez—Virgil van Dijk could be among those handed a breather ahead of the Arsenal clash. With few alternatives available, Gomez should slot comfortably into the starting eleven in his absence.

LB: Milos Kerkez—Iraola continues to assess his best option on the left flank, where Kerkez has generally held the upper hand over Kostas Tsimikas. The manager will be reluctant to make too many unnecessary changes.

DM: Trey Nyoni—Nyoni has appeared in all but four of Liverpool's games this season, though starting berths are likely to be saved for cup outings. The 19-year-old is in as much need of these minutes as anyone in the squad.

Pick Your Liverpool XI!

DM: Alexis Mac Allister—Mac Allister was the standout performer in the third-round triumph over Tottenham Hotspur and will be keen to sustain that form as he looks to persuade Liverpool to hand him a contract extension.

RM: Rio Ngumoha—Chelsea were furious when Ngumoha departed their academy to sign for Liverpool, and the memory of him registering an assist in the 1–1 draw between the two sides last season will have done little to ease that frustration.

AM: James McConnell—A golden chance awaits the youngster, with Dominik Szoboszlai sidelined through injury and Florian Wirtz requiring a rest after flagging a minor foot complaint.

LM: Cody Gakpo—Significant reshuffling in attack will see Iraola demand more from Gakpo, whose blistering start to the campaign has lost some momentum in recent weeks.

ST: Lewis Koumas—Whether to rest the in-form Alexander Isak ranks among Iraola's toughest decisions. The manager has shown considerable trust in young Koumas of late and may hand him the ultimate challenge here.