Liverpool face Chelsea in the Carabao Cup fourth round at Anfield on Wednesday, with the Reds looking to extend a four-game winning run. The visitors arrive having lost their last three matches, setting up a contrast in momentum for the League Cup tie.

Liverpool's recent form includes a 2-0 Premier League win over Brighton on Saturday, a 4-3 comeback against Villarreal, and a 6-3 victory over LASK Linz. They sit fourth in the Premier League with 15 points from eight games, six points behind leaders Manchester City. Manager Andoni Iraola is expected to rotate his squad ahead of a key home league fixture against Arsenal on 1 November.

Chelsea's cup progress and lineup

Chelsea reached this stage by defeating Luton Town and Leeds United. Their possible lineup includes M. Penders, Malo Gusto, Wesley Fofana, Colwill, Andrea Palestra, Moisés Caicedo, Roméo Lavia, Valentín Barco, Estevao Willian, Danny Welbeck and Morgan Rogers. Estevao could make his first start in over a month after a 45-minute appearance against Leeds. This will be manager Xabi Alonso's first return to Anfield as Chelsea boss, having previously suffered 4-0 and 1-0 defeats here with Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid.

Key absences and doubts

Liverpool may rest several key players, including Alisson Becker, Virgil van Dijk, Bradley Barcola and Florian Wirtz. Wirtz and Victor Munoz are doubtful with knee injuries. Conor Bradley, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong, Giovanni Leoni and Dominik Szoboszlai are unavailable. Chelsea will be without the suspended Cole Palmer, the injured Reece James and Emiliano Martinez, who has a broken jaw.

Liverpool's attacking options

Cody Gakpo and Rio Ngumoha are likely to play significant attacking roles. Ngumoha set up two goals in the 4-3 win over Villarreal last week. Andoni Iraola said "the talented Rio Ngumoha is likely to play significant roles in attack, with the teenager setting up two goals against Villarreal last week." Liverpool's top scorer this season is Alexander Isak, who has six goals in seven appearances and scored in the recent win over Brighton. A possible rotated lineup could feature Giorgi Mamardashvili, Ronald Araujo, Jacquet, Joe Gomez, Kerkez, Trey Nyoni, Alexis Mac Allister, Ngumoha, James McConnell, Gakpo and Lewis Koumas.

The match offers Liverpool a chance to maintain momentum before hosting Arsenal in a Premier League title race showdown this weekend.