Liverpool welcome Chelsea to Anfield in the fourth round of the EFL Cup on Wednesday night.
The Reds arguably recorded their most impressive win of the season when overcoming Brighton on Sunday afternoon, with an own-goal from Pascal Gross and clinical finish from Alexander Isak steering Andoni Iraola's side to a 2-0 victory.
Inconsistent feels like the word to describe Chelsea this campaign, with Xabi Alonso's outfit succumbing to a dismal 2-0 defeat against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday night.
Iraola maintained that -- while he will make changes to the Liverpool XI that defeated the Seagulls last time out -- every game matters and he wants his team to be competitive in the EFL Cup.
Cup goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili -- who impressed against Tottenham in the last round -- is expected to displace Alisson in between the sticks, while two changes in the back line could see Joe Gomez and Kostas Tsimikas come in for regular starters Virgil van Dijk and Milos Kerkez.
Injury to Dominik Szoboszlai means that Iraola isn't blessed for options in midfield, and so Ryan Gravenberch may not get the rest that he wants. Alexis Mac Allister and Florian Wirtz may be rested after impressive performances at the weekend, however, while Trey Nyoni and James McConnell could return to the XI.
Rio Ngomoha will have counted himself unfortunate to have not made the starting XI on Sunday after a dazzling performance against Villarreal in the UEFA Champions League, and he is expected to start against his former club.
Cody Gakpo has played 90 minutes in both of Liverpool's last two matches off the back of an injury and could drop to the bench, which could present an opportunity for Lewis Koumas to lead the line.
As for Chelsea, injury to Emi Martinez means that Mike Penders is likely to retain his place in goal, despite making a huge error that resulted in Spurs' opener on Saturday.
A change in central defence could see Wesley Fofana displace Maxence Lacroix, while wing-back duo Malo Gusto and Marco Palestra may be handed starts at Anfield.
Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, who were both heavily linked with moves to Liverpool before opting to join the West London outfit in 2023, may start alongside one another in midfielder, which would see former Reds captain Jordan Henderson drop to the bench.
Injury to Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer's suspension means that Alonso is likely to name a makeshift front three. Morgan Rogers could retain his place, while Estevao and Danny Welbeck may be handed rare starts to complete the XI.
Predicted Liverpool lineup
Giorgi Mamardashvili, Joe Gomez, Ronald Araujo, Jeremy Jacquet, Kostas Tsimikas, Trey Nyoni, Ryan Gravenberch, James McConnell, Rio Ngumoha, Bradley Barcola, Lewis Koumas.
Predicted Chelsea lineup
Mike Penders, Josh Acheampong, Wesley Fofana, Levi Colwill, Malo Gusto, Romeo Lavia, Moises Caicedo, Marco Palestra, Estevao, Morgan Rogers, Danny Welbeck.
