It’s Chelsea at Anfield in the Carabao Cup fourth round tonight (8pm UK), and Andoni Iraola is “quite optimistic” that Florian Wirtz will shake off the ankle he twisted against Brighton. Ronald Araújo has been named the Premier League’s Player of the Matchweek, and Sunday’s visitors Arsenal were stunned by League Two Fleetwood Town in this competition last night.
Dominik Szoboszlai and Victor Muñoz are less likely to be available, and Iraola has confirmed he will make changes. Chelsea will be without Cole Palmer and João Pedro, although summer signing Emmanuel Emegha could make his debut.
Team news: Iraola optimistic on Wirtz, doubts over Szoboszlai and Muñoz
Iraola gave his update before the squad’s final training session yesterday afternoon. “He was quite fine, Florian. I’m quite optimistic that he will be available,” he said. “With Dom and Victor, I’m not so sure. I don’t want to say no, but I think it’s going to be more difficult than Florian, yes.” There’s been no further update since.
Iraola has confirmed he will make changes tonight, with Arsenal visiting Anfield on Sunday. “There will definitely be changes. But we want to win the game, we want to be competitive,” he said. Jeremie Frimpong is out with a muscle problem, and Conor Bradley, Hugo Ekitiké and Giovanni Leoni are long-term absentees.
Jayden Danns could be in the mix after scoring for the Under-21s at Chelsea. “I think he is now building some good minutes, he scored also the other day. He is in a good place,” said Iraola.
Iraola: every competition is an opportunity
Asked about winning a trophy in his first season, Iraola told the BBC that every competition is an opportunity, especially as Liverpool coach, and that his side will have to play well to beat a very good Chelsea team.
On his childhood friend Xabi Alonso, who brings Chelsea to Anfield: “Now he’s the opposition and we want to beat him, and the same way he will do with us. After the game, we can talk, definitely.”
Chelsea: no Palmer or João Pedro
Cole Palmer is suspended after his red card against Spurs, and João Pedro has been ruled out for several weeks with a thigh injury. Emi Martínez, Reece James and Jamie Gittens are also missing, and Pep Chavarría is a doubt. Alonso has confirmed Mike Penders will start in goal. Emmanuel Emegha is available after injury and could make his Chelsea debut, with Estêvão and Danny Welbeck also available.
The quarter-final draw is scheduled for after tonight’s game, live on Sky Sports, with the ties to be played in the week commencing 14 December.
Araújo crowned Player of the Matchweek
Araújo won the Premier League’s fan vote for his display in Sunday’s 2-0 win over Brighton, after Liverpool supporters had already given him 85 per cent of the vote for our own Player of the Match. He and Alexander Isak have also been voted into the Premier League’s Fan Team of the Week.
Arsenal stunned by League Two Fleetwood
Sunday’s opponents suffered a huge shock last night. Aaron Loupalo-Bi gave League Two Fleetwood a first-half lead, Viktor Gyökeres equalised early in the second half, and 16-year-old Max Dowman was sent off late on. It finished 1-1, and Fleetwood won the shootout 5-3.
Transfers
Alex Scott: Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg says Chelsea are “fully focused” on the Bournemouth midfielder, with us still keeping tabs. Credibility: Medium for Chelsea’s interest, Low for any move to Liverpool.
Finn Jeltsch: the pro-Barcelona paper Sport says we’re among the clubs keen on Stuttgart’s 20-year-old centre-back, along with Barcelona and Real Madrid. Credibility: Low.
There’s been nothing on Liverpool overnight from the likes of David Ornstein and Paul Joyce.
Fixtures (UK times)
Wednesday 28 October: Liverpool v Chelsea, Carabao Cup fourth round, 8pm (Sky Sports and ITV)
Sunday 1 November: Liverpool v Arsenal, Premier League, 4.30pm (Sky Sports)
Wednesday 4 November: Fenerbahçe v Liverpool, Champions League, 5.45pm
All kick-off times are GMT.
