Liverpool vs Chelsea Predictions

Liverpool vs Chelsea Preview: Alonso Faces Anfield Return as Reds Target EFL Cup Quarter-Finals. Read on for all our free predictions and betting tips.

Liverpool welcome Chelsea to Anfield on Wednesday, October 28, with a place in the EFL Cup quarter-finals at stake and Xabi Alonso facing another difficult reunion with his former club.

Three Punchy Stats

• Four straight wins: Liverpool have won their last four matches across all competitions.
• Alonso's Anfield struggles: Chelsea's manager has lost both previous visits, conceding five goals without scoring.
• Chelsea's scoring problems: The Blues have failed to score in both of their last four matches that ended in defeat.

Andoni Iraola's Liverpool enter the fourth-round encounter on a four-match winning streak, while Chelsea arrive seeking a response to Saturday's disappointing 2-0 home defeat against Tottenham Hotspur.

The contrasting momentum makes Liverpool favourites, although expected squad rotation and Chelsea's attacking options could produce an intriguing contest.

Liverpool's Momentum Makes Them Dangerous

Liverpool have responded impressively to their only defeat of the season, a 3-0 loss against Manchester City that followed Ryan Gravenberch's dismissal.

Four consecutive victories have reinforced their resilience, particularly a remarkable 4-3 Champions League comeback against Villarreal after falling two goals behind inside half an hour.

Their attacking strength was also evident in a 6-3 victory over LASK Linz, while Sunday's 2-0 success against Brighton demonstrated greater defensive control.

That clean sheet was Liverpool's first in five matches, an encouraging development ahead of a demanding schedule.

Iraola's side have already eliminated Tottenham from this competition, winning 3-1, and their ability to recover from difficult situations suggests they possess the mentality required for another knockout challenge.

However, Sunday's Premier League meeting with Arsenal could influence Iraola's selection, potentially offering Chelsea an opportunity against a reshuffled Liverpool side.

Alonso's Chelsea Searching for Consistency

Chelsea's campaign under Alonso has been characterised by unpredictable performances.

Their impressive 5-1 victory over Bournemouth and 2-0 success at Everton demonstrated their attacking potential, but defeats against Brentford and Tottenham exposed significant weaknesses.

Saturday's loss was particularly concerning. Tottenham controlled proceedings at Stamford Bridge, leaving Chelsea struggling to impose themselves against familiar opposition.

The Blues have now suffered two defeats in their last four matches, failing to score in either loss.

Nevertheless, their EFL Cup performances provide encouragement. Chelsea defeated Luton Town 2-0 before overcoming Leeds United 6-3, scoring eight goals across those encounters.

Alonso must rediscover that attacking fluency while addressing defensive vulnerabilities against opponents capable of punishing mistakes.

His personal record at Anfield adds another storyline.

The former Liverpool midfielder has lost both previous managerial visits, suffering a 4-0 defeat with Bayer Leverkusen and a 1-0 reverse with Real Madrid.

Another defeat would extend that unwanted sequence, although Chelsea's immediate priority is reaching the quarter-finals rather than rewriting their manager's personal history.

Team News and Tactical Battles

Liverpool could make substantial changes, with Alisson Becker, Virgil van Dijk and Alexander Isak among those potentially rested.

Florian Wirtz remains doubtful following a foot concern, while Conor Bradley, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong, Giovanni Leoni and Dominik Szoboszlai are unavailable.

Cody Gakpo could become particularly influential after scoring against Tottenham in the previous round and registering six shots against Brighton.

Rio Ngumoha also offers creativity, having supplied two assists against Villarreal.

Chelsea must cope without suspended playmaker Cole Palmer, while Reece James and Emiliano Martinez remain sidelined.

Estevao Willian could receive an opportunity to impress, with Danny Welbeck and Morgan Rogers potentially featuring in attack.

The midfield contest could prove decisive, particularly if Chelsea deploy Moises Caicedo, Romeo Lavia and Valentin Barco together.

Liverpool's pressing intensity and attacking transitions will test Chelsea's defensive organisation, while Alonso's side must retain possession effectively to prevent repeated pressure.

Prediction: Liverpool 2-0 Chelsea

Liverpool's superior momentum, home advantage and improving defensive performances make them the stronger proposition.

Chelsea possess enough attacking quality to threaten, but their recent inconsistency and Palmer's suspension could limit their creativity.

Gakpo looks capable of making the difference as Liverpool pursue another quarter-final appearance.

📊 Market Explainer

Main Tip

Handicap Market

Selection: Liverpool Asian Handicap -0.25. A virtual goal advantage or deficit is applied before settlement. The bet is decided by the adjusted score after normal time.

Correct Score Tip

Correct Score Market

Selection: Liverpool vs Chelsea 2-1. Predict the exact score at the end of 90 minutes plus stoppage time. Extra time and penalties do not count unless the bookmaker states otherwise.

🎯 Pick 1: Liverpool Asian Handicap -0.25

Liverpool Asian Handicap -0.25 offers a measured approach for a team carrying significant momentum but facing a reshuffled lineup. Andoni Iraola’s side enter this fourth-round tie on a four-match winning streak, responding emphatically to their only defeat of the season. Their recent 2-0 victory over Brighton delivered their first clean sheet in five matches, suggesting a timely improvement in defensive control ahead of a demanding schedule.

That growing stability contrasts sharply with Chelsea’s recent inconsistency under Xabi Alonso. The Blues have suffered two defeats in their last four matches, failing to score in both losses, including a concerning 2-0 reverse against Tottenham Hotspur where they struggled to impose themselves. With Liverpool’s pressing intensity and attacking transitions likely to test Chelsea’s defensive organisation, the hosts have a clear advantage. Furthermore, Alonso’s historical struggles at Anfield—suffering a 4-0 defeat with Bayer Leverkusen and a 1-0 loss with Real Madrid—add context to the difficulty of this specific away trip.

The primary risk to a Liverpool win stems from expected squad rotation. With Alisson Becker and Virgil van Dijk potentially rested ahead of a Premier League meeting with Arsenal, Chelsea’s attacking options, which produced eight goals across two earlier EFL Cup ties, could exploit any unfamiliarity in the home defence. However, Liverpool’s remarkable 4-3 comeback against Villarreal proves they can recover from difficult situations. By taking the -0.25 Asian Handicap, bettors secure a full return on a home win while limiting the damage to a half-loss if Chelsea force a draw in normal time.

🎯 Tactical Indicators

• Liverpool enter this fourth-round tie on a four-match winning streak across all competitions.
• Chelsea failed to score in both of their last two defeats, including a 2-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur.
• Xabi Alonso has lost both of his previous managerial visits to Anfield, conceding five goals without reply.

Risk Factor: Chelsea scored eight goals across their two previous EFL Cup ties and could exploit a reshuffled Liverpool defence to force a draw.

⚔️ Pick 2: Liverpool vs Chelsea 2-1 @ 15/2

Liverpool’s attacking output provides strong support for a multi-goal performance at Anfield. Iraola’s side recently delivered a 6-3 victory over LASK Linz and a remarkable 4-3 comeback against Villarreal, demonstrating significant threat even when matches become unpredictable. Cody Gakpo, who registered six shots against Brighton and scored in the previous round, offers a direct attacking outlet. They face a Chelsea side that have shown clear defensive vulnerabilities, conceding twice against both Tottenham and Brentford recently, which provides a realistic avenue for the hosts to reach two goals.

Despite failing to score in their recent defeats, Chelsea’s EFL Cup record suggests they remain dangerous opponents. Alonso’s side scored eight times across victories over Luton Town and Leeds United in previous rounds, while earlier league wins against Bournemouth and Everton underline their attacking potential. The expected absence of key Liverpool defensive figures, including Alisson Becker and Virgil van Dijk, presents an opportunity for Chelsea forwards such as Danny Welbeck or Morgan Rogers to find the net against a rotated backline.

A 2-1 home victory bridges Liverpool’s superior momentum with the likelihood of an altered home defence conceding once. The primary risk to this exact scoreline is Chelsea’s unpredictable nature; a return to the form that produced five goals against Bournemouth could see the visitors score multiple times, ruining the narrow margin. However, considering Chelsea’s recent struggles to impose themselves in difficult away fixtures, a narrow but high-scoring home victory remains a credible assessment of how these two sides currently match up.