EFL Cup 2018/19
- Liverpool V Chelsea
- Venue: Anfield
- Date: Wednesday, 26 September
- Kick-off: 7:45pm BST
Liverpool take a break from Premier League action as their Carabao Cup campaign gets underway at home to Chelsea this week.
Jurgen Klopp’s side will come into this game full of confidence after victory over Southampton saw them clinch a seventh-successive win to record their best ever start to a season in the club’s history.
With both clubs currently fighting it out at the top of the Premier League table, they are both expected to rotate ahead of the league outing between the two sides the following weekend.
The headlining trio of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino are all likely to make way against the Blues, offering a chance for other members of the team to make an impression.
Xherdan Shaqiri should start out wide after playing just 45 minutes in the win over Southampton.
The Swiss international could be joined by Divock Origi on the other flank as the Belgian forward looks targets his first appearance of the season.
Daniel Sturridge is set to lead the line in place of Firmino, having deputised to good effect in the Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain last week.
Klopp has several options available in midfield and could give Fabinho his full debut following a summer move from Monaco.
The Brazilian has only made one brief cameo off the bench so far due to competition for places but is expected to line up alongside two of Georginio Wijnaldum, Naby Keita, Jordan Henderson and James Milner.
Both Milner and Keita were left out of the starting XI against Saints and appear in pole position to feature from the off against Chelsea, although Wijnaldum was withdrawn early at the weekend.
Meanwhile, Nathaniel Clyne could come in for Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back while Alberto Moreno may replace Andrew Robertson on the other flank.
Simon Mignolet is expected to be given the nod in goal while Virgil van Dijk is recovering from a knock, Dejan Lovren is a doubt and both Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Adam Lallana are sidelined.
The likes of Eden Hazard and N’Golo Kante are expected to be given the night off against Liverpool, although Sarri could opt to rest the entirety of his first team.
Willy Caballero is likely to make his first start of the season in goal with Rob Green on the bench and Kepa Arrizabalaga rotated out.
In defence, Davide Zappacosta and Emerson Palmieri are direct replacements for Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso in the wing-back role.
Similarly, Gary Cahill and Andreas Christensen are set to come in for David Luiz and Antonio Rudiger as like-for-like replacements.
Kante is expected to be rested after his hectic summer, with Ruben Loftus-Cheek most likely to slot straight into midfield.
However, both Ethan Ampadu and Ross Barkley will also hope to feature if Sarri gives Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic the night off.
Olivier Giroud has emerged as Chelsea’s first-choice striker so Alvaro Morata will be doing his best to impress against the Reds while fans will want to see more of exciting prospect Callum Hudson-Odoi.
Pedro is recovering from a knock and is unlikely to be risked, although Willian has moved ahead of him in the pecking order at Stamford Bridge.
However, out-of-favour utility player Victor Moses is an outside bet to start in a wide role if Sarri shuffles his pack.
Possible Line-Up
Betting & Match Odds
Liverpool are priced at odds of winning 1.85 according to
VBet, while a draw is available at 3.79. A win for Chelsea is priced at 3.90.
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VBet’s offers for the game, including goalscoring markets, correct score predictions and more.
