Liverpool go into Liverpool vs Chelsea at Anfield on Wednesday with the selection picture still unsettled. Alexander Isak is in top scoring form, Florian Wirtz is a doubt after a knock against Brighton, and Liverpool are still without Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley. The result is less about the fixture itself and more about who Liverpool choose to start.

Isak's case to start

Isak has six goals in seven Premier League appearances, which makes him hard to leave out for a cup tie of this size. That run is the main reason Liverpool have a straightforward call up front, even with rotation likely elsewhere.

Wirtz is the one injury note that needs watching. Iraola said there is no major concern over his availability, but also suggested it might be sensible to rest him against Chelsea on Wednesday night. He had to come off with a knock during Sunday’s win against Brighton, and Liverpool will not want to turn a small issue into a longer one.

The wider selection issues

The full-back options are thinner. Frimpong and Bradley are still ruled out, so Liverpool may have to patch together that side of the team again rather than choose between full-strength options. That is the biggest practical issue in the line-up, because it limits how much flexibility the bench gives them.

Liverpool's recent form helps the mood around the squad. They beat Brighton 2-0 at home in their most recent league match, and they also beat Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 in their first EFL Cup match of the season. Chelsea come to Anfield with the two sides close in the table, but this preview is really about Liverpool's choices, not any grand statement about the tie.

Iraola summed up the decision in his own words, saying: "Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola must decide whether to stick or twist with his starting XI for the visit of Chelsea in the Carabao Cup." The main call now is whether Isak starts again, Wirtz is protected and the defence is reshuffled one more time before kick-off.

Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →