England EFL Cup Match Guide: Liverpool vs Chelsea — Key Battles
Liverpool vs Chelsea is the headline tie of the England EFL Cup fourth round, and the contrast in momentum could hardly be sharper. Liverpool are riding a four-game winning streak in all competitions, while Chelsea arrive at Anfield after a 2-0 defeat at Tottenham and with a growing list of absentees.
This Soccer Match Guide breaks down everything you need before the 8pm kick-off on Wednesday night.
Match Info at a Glance
- Fixture: Liverpool vs Chelsea
- Competition: England EFL Cup (Carabao Cup), Fourth Round
- Date: Wednesday, 28 October 2026
- Kick-off: 8:00 PM GMT / 4:00 PM ET
- Venue: Anfield, Liverpool
- Referee: Darren England
- TV (UK): ITV1, Sky Sports Main Event
- TV (USA): Paramount+
Star Watch: Alexander Isak vs Chelsea’s makeshift attack
Alexander Isak — Liverpool
Isak has been Liverpool’s most reliable scorer this season, with six goals in seven Premier League appearances. He missed the Manchester City defeat earlier in October with a thigh issue, but Standard Sport expects him to lead the line against Chelsea despite Iraola’s expected rotation.
- 2026-27 Premier League: 6 goals in 7 games
- Status: Expected to start
- Key trait: elite movement in behind, composed finishing one-on-one
Chelsea’s attacking void
Chelsea will be without Cole Palmer, who is suspended after his red card against Tottenham. João Pedro is a doubt with a muscle injury, Emmanuel Emegha is working back from a hamstring issue, and Jamie Gittens (ankle) is out. That leaves Danny Welbeck or Estevão as the most likely attacking focal points — a significant downgrade from Chelsea’s first-choice front line.
- Palmer: suspended (one-match ban)
- João Pedro: doubt (muscle)
- Key trait to watch: Chelsea’s counter-attacking speed through Geovany Quenda and Morgan Rogers, if they start
Matchup Analysis: Can Chelsea Survive Anfield Without Their Creators?
Liverpool’s momentum vs rotation risk
Andoni Iraola’s side have won four straight across the Champions League and Premier League, including a 2-0 win over Brighton on Sunday. But the EFL Cup is expected to bring changes: Rio Ngumoha, Trey Nyoni, and Lewis Koumas are all candidates to start, while Florian Wirtz is a doubt after being forced off against Brighton.
Liverpool’s defensive depth is also stretched. Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley remain out, meaning Joe Gomez or Ronald Araujo may be forced to cover at right-back. Still, the core of Virgil van Dijk, Alexis Mac Allister, and Ryan Gravenberch should provide enough stability to control the tie.
Chelsea’s deepening crisis
Xabi Alonso returns to Anfield with a squad in disrepair. Beyond Palmer’s suspension, Chelsea are without Reece James (knee), Emiliano Martínez (broken jaw), and Jamie Gittens (ankle). Pep Chavarría remains a doubt, and Malo Gusto has been ill.
Chelsea’s recent form is equally unconvincing: two wins, one draw, and two losses in their last six across all competitions. Alonso will need a disciplined, low-block performance to survive the first half at Anfield.
Head-to-head: Liverpool’s edge, but recent parity
Liverpool hold the historical advantage — 87 wins to Chelsea’s 67 across all competitions, with 46 draws. The most recent meeting, in May 2026, ended 1-1 at Anfield. Across the last six encounters, the teams are evenly split: two wins each, two draws.
Prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea. Sports Mole’s model gives Liverpool a 46.08% win probability and identifies 2-1 as the most likely scoreline (9.19%). Chelsea’s missing creators and Anfield’s intensity should tip a competitive tie Liverpool’s way.
How to Watch Liverpool vs Chelsea
| Region | Channel / Platform |
|---|---|
| UK | ITV1, ITVX (free), Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Go |
| USA | Paramount+ |
| India | FanCode |
| Australia | beIN Sports |
Source: Chelsea FC, ESPN, and Liverpool FC official broadcast details
🌟 Why Watch on LiveAreNao?
| Feature | ✅ LiveAreNao | Free Streaming Sites | Official Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|
| LIVE STREAMS? | ✅ Full match coverage | Partial | ❌ |
| QUALITY | Up to 1080p (auto-adaptive) | Unstable | Limited options |
| NO BLACKOUTS? | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| SPLITVIEW | ✅ Multi-game view | ❌ | ❌ |
| FULL REPLAYS | ✅ On-demand | ❌ | ❌ |
👉 See the full comparison: https://livearenao.com/benefits
LiveAreNao delivers no blackout interruptions, 1080p auto-adaptive quality, and on-demand full replays — so you catch every England EFL Cup tie, even when the broadcast schedule is crowded.
Key Questions Answered
Q: What time does Liverpool vs Chelsea kick off? 8:00 PM GMT on Wednesday, 28 October 2026 at Anfield.
Q: Is Cole Palmer playing? No — Palmer is suspended after his red card against Tottenham.
Q: What if I miss the match? LiveAreNao offers on-demand full replays available after the final whistle. Chelsea’s official platform also carries a full replay from 1am Thursday.
Q: Is extra time used in the EFL Cup fourth round? No — if the score is level after 90 minutes, the tie goes straight to penalties.
📺 Liverpool vs Chelsea kicks off Wednesday, 28 October at 8:00 PM GMT. Watch live in 1080p with no blackouts and full replay access on LiveAreNao. 👉 Watch Live Now | Platform Benefits