Liverpool vs Chelsea: Carabao Cup Preview, Team News, H2H & Lineups

Liverpool vs Chelsea takes place at Anfield on Wednesday, 28 October 2026 in the Carabao Cup fourth round, with kick-off at 22:00 SAST / 20:00 UK time. The winner advances to the quarter-finals, with Liverpool arriving on a four-match winning run and Chelsea looking to respond after a 2-0 Premier League defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.

The Liverpool vs Chelsea team news is a major part of the build-up. Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola has confirmed he will rotate again, while Florian Wirtz could return from an ankle problem. Chelsea are without the suspended Cole Palmer and injured João Pedro, although Emmanuel Emegha has returned to contention.

For the confirmed Liverpool vs Chelsea lineups and live score, follow SP Score once the clubs release their official teams and the match begins.

Liverpool have confirmed that Wirtz is expected to be available after twisting his ankle in the 2-0 league win over Brighton. Iraola said he was optimistic the Germany international could feature.

Dominik Szoboszlai and Victor Muñoz are less likely to return for the fourth-round tie. Liverpool’s latest injury list also keeps Conor Bradley, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong and Giovanni Leoni among the unavailable players.

Iraola has already confirmed there will be changes to the starting XI. Liverpool made several rotations in their Champions League win over Villarreal and again against Brighton, and the head coach has said rotation is necessary during the current run of matches.

Chelsea will be without Cole Palmer, who serves a one-match suspension after being sent off against Tottenham. João Pedro is also ruled out with a thigh injury and is expected to miss several weeks.

There is better news for Xabi Alonso in attack. Emmanuel Emegha is back in contention after recovering from a hamstring problem, while Estêvão Willian and Danny Welbeck are also available.

The final Liverpool vs Chelsea lineups should only be treated as confirmed once the two clubs publish their official teams before kick-off.

ALSO READ: Fleetwood Town vs Arsenal: Carabao Cup preview, team news and lineups

Liverpool entered the competition in the third round and beat Tottenham 3-1 at Anfield. Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo put the Reds in control before Dominik Szoboszlai scored in stoppage time.

Chelsea started one round earlier. They eliminated Luton Town 2-0 and then came from behind to beat Leeds United 6-3 at Stamford Bridge, scoring six times in a high-scoring third-round tie.

Liverpool have recovered strongly since their 3-0 league defeat to Manchester City. Their current run includes wins over LASK, Brentford, Villarreal and Brighton, with the latter giving Iraola’s side another clean sheet at Anfield.

Chelsea arrive after a difficult home loss to Tottenham, but their recent results have also included a 2-0 away win at Everton and a 5-1 league victory over Bournemouth. The cup has produced goals for Alonso’s side, most notably the 6-3 win over Leeds.

ALSO READ: Premier League 2026/27 fixtures and match schedule

Liverpool and Chelsea have a long cup history, and this will be their 11th League Cup meeting. The previous ten produced four Chelsea wins, four Liverpool wins and two draws.

This is also the first time Liverpool and Chelsea have met in the League Cup fourth round. The fixture has now been played at every stage from the second round through to the final.

Chelsea are unbeaten in the last three meetings between the clubs, with two wins and one draw since Liverpool’s 2-1 league victory at Anfield in October 2024.

Liverpool, however, have won the two most recent League Cup finals between the sides: on penalties in 2022 and 1-0 after extra time in 2024.

Iraola has made it clear that Liverpool will rotate, but the squad still contains players with significant cup experience. The balance between protecting key players for the weekend and maintaining Liverpool’s current momentum will shape the starting XI.

Palmer’s suspension and João Pedro’s injury remove two of Chelsea’s established attacking options. That increases the importance of Estêvão, Welbeck and any returning forwards Alonso chooses to use at Anfield.

Liverpool have strong League Cup history at Anfield, but Chelsea have also produced major cup results on Merseyside. The Blues won 2-1 at Anfield in the 2018/19 League Cup, while Liverpool have beaten Chelsea in two recent finals.

There is no VAR in this fourth-round tie because the competition does not use the system in rounds where every host stadium cannot provide it.

The match must produce a winner on the night. If the score is level after 90 minutes, the tie goes directly to a penalty shootout. Extra time is not used at this stage.

Liverpool vs Chelsea kicks off at 22:00 SAST on Wednesday, 28 October. SuperSport lists the match in its Carabao Cup schedule, while current South African TV listings include SuperSport Grandstand and SuperSport Premier League.

For changing match information, confirmed lineups, the live score and match events, use the SP Score app.

Eligible adults can view currently available EFL Cup markets on SportPesa South Africa soccer. Market availability and prices can change before and during the match.

For a guide to common football market types, read our football betting markets explained. Bet responsibly.

Liverpool vs Chelsea takes place on Wednesday, 28 October 2026.

Kick-off is at 22:00 SAST, which is 20:00 in the UK.

The Carabao Cup fourth-round tie is at Anfield in Liverpool.

The match is in the fourth round of the 2026/27 Carabao Cup.

No. Palmer is suspended for the match after his sending-off against Tottenham.

Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola said he was optimistic Wirtz would be available after the midfielder twisted his ankle against Brighton.

No. VAR is not in use for this Carabao Cup fourth-round tie.

The match goes directly to a penalty shootout. There is no extra time in the fourth round.

Follow SP Score for confirmed lineups, live score, match events and the final result.

Liverpool vs Chelsea brings two of the League Cup’s most successful clubs together at Anfield for a place in the quarter-finals. Liverpool enter with four consecutive wins, while Chelsea arrive needing a response after defeat to Tottenham and without Palmer or João Pedro.

The confirmed lineups will be important because both managers are balancing injuries and a busy schedule. Liverpool host Arsenal next in the Premier League, while Chelsea return to Stamford Bridge to face Manchester United.

Check SP Score for the Liverpool vs Chelsea live score, confirmed lineups, match events and final result once the game gets underway.