Iraola announces changes and wants to beat good friend Xabi Alonso

Iraola will rotate his squad for the Carabao Cup tie with Chelsea, with Wirtz expected to be available but managed carefully ahead of Arsenal's visit.

Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola has confirmed he will make changes to his starting lineup for Wednesday's Carabao Cup fourth-round match against Chelsea, though he declined to specify which players would be rested. Florian Wirtz suffered an ankle injury during the win over Brighton and Hove Albion but is expected to be available for the cup tie; however, Iraola will be cautious with him given the crucial Premier League fixture against Arsenal coming this weekend. Dominik Szoboszlai and Victor Muñoz remain sidelined through injury but could return for the weekend.

Iraola emphasised the need to rotate across his squad given the fixture congestion, noting that all top teams must manage their players when matches come every three days. Virgil van Dijk may also be rested after sitting out the Champions League game against LASK Linz for the first time in 18 months.

The manager will face his childhood friend Xabi Alonso, now Chelsea's head coach, on Wednesday. The two grew up together in San Sebastián and played youth football for Antiguoko alongside Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta. Iraola said the friendship has been well-documented but stressed that once the match begins, winning is the priority. He views the Carabao Cup as a serious competition and is targeting his first trophy as Liverpool manager.