Liverpool will host Premier League rivals Chelsea in the third round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday at Anfield ahead of a second crucial meeting between the pair this weekend.
Both sides are unbeaten in all competitions so far this season, but only Liverpool have managed seven straight consecutive wins – with the Blues falling to a draw to West Ham on Sunday, tainting their otherwise flawless winning streak.
Jurgen Klopp's men have momentum going into the fixture after beating Tottenham, Paris Saint-Germain and Southampton in one week but Chelsea's side have adapted well to Maurizio Sarri's tactics and it will be a tough fixture.
| Game | Liverpool v Chelsea |
| Date | Wednesday, September 26 |
| Time | 7:45pm BST / 2:45pm EST |
TV Channel, Live Stream & How To Watch
In the United States (US), the game will not be televised, but will be available to stream on ESPN+.
| US TV channel | Online stream |
|---|---|
| N/A | ESPN+ |
In the United Kingdom (UK), the game can be watched live on Sky Sports and streamed via Sky GO.
| UK TV channel | Online stream |
|---|---|
| Sky Sports | Sky GO |
Squads & Team News
| Position | Liverpool players |
|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | Alisson, Mignolet, Kelleher |
| Defenders | Clyne, Gomez, Van Dijk, Moreno, Alexander-Arnold, Robertson |
| Midfielders | Jones, Fabinho, Milner, Keita, Shaqiri, Wijnaldum, Markovic, Henderson |
| Forwards | Sturridge, Firmino, Mane, Salah, Solanke |
Virgil van Dijk was substituted in the second half of Liverpool's win over Southampton with a rib injury and will most likely not be risked.
Klopp has rested the majority of his side ahead of a second crucial clash against Chelsea in the Premier League on Saturday, giving Simon Mignolet, Xherdan Shaqiri and Nathaniel Clyne starting berths, with Naby Keita lining up alongside Fabinho and James Milner in midfield.
Potential Liverpool XI: Mignolet, Clyne, Lovren, Matip, Moreno, Fabinho, Milner, Keita, Shaqiri, Mane, Sturridge.
| Position | Chelsea players |
|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | Kepa, Caballero, Bulka |
| Defenders | Alonso, Moses, Luiz, Zappacosta, Cahill, Christensen, Azpilicueta, Ampadu, Emerson |
| Midfielders | Fabregas, Jorginho, Barkley, Kovacic, Kante |
| Forwards | Willian, Hazard, Morata, Giroud, Hudson-Odoi |
Chelsea trio Pedro (shoulder), Antonio Rudiger (groin) and Ruben Loftus-Cheek (foot) are out of the trip to Anfield. Willy Caballero starts in goal as Sarri makes eight changes from the 0-0 draw with West Ham.
Potential Chelsea XI: Caballero, Azpilicueta, Christensen, Cahill, Emerson, Fabregas, Kovacic, Barkley, Moses, Morata, Willian.
Betting & Match Odds
Liverpool are priced at odds of winning 10/11 according to bet 365, while a draw is available at 3/1. A win for the Blues is priced at 3/1.
Match Preview
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Liverpool have been enjoying their best start to a Premier League season with seven consecutive wins in all competitions, and it could be stretched to eight should they register victory over Chelsea at Anfield on Wednesday.
The Reds will have the benefit of hosting Chelsea at home in the first of their two-legged clash, though Klopp is expected to rotate his players ahead of the Premier League visit to Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
Second-choice goalkeeper Mignolet is in line to make the grade ahead of Alisson, with the likes of Naby Keita, Fabinho and Shaqiri also to be given minutes.
Klopp may be tempted to rest the front three of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino for the Carabao Cup fixture, which will be good news for Daniel Sturridge, who slotted in well as the Brazilian's replacement during the Champions League win over PSG in which he opened the scoring.
Pedro will be missing from the Chelsea squad after picking up an injury in their Europa League clash last week, though Hazard could be deployed in attack should Sarri be keen on naming a strong side to face the Reds.
Despite early reservations that the Chelsea players would struggle to adapt to Sarri's favoured tactical methods, the team have registered six wins out of seven games this season and look to be a fluid and cohesive side.
Sarri praised Klopp before the game for his team management and the German was quick to return the compliment, telling reporters: "The biggest change I ever saw in such a short space of time, wow. The style is completely different. What a manager he is, to be honest.
"I'm pretty much a supporter of his since I saw [his teams] at Napoli. Outstanding football, and now doing it in a very interrupted pre-season [due to the World Cup].
"Eden [Hazard] was not there, [Olivier] Giroud, [N'Golo] Kante. Starting the season and you see immediately the impact? All my respect. It’s really good to watch. Good job so far."
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