Iraola hopeful Wirtz can return for Liverpool’s Carabao Cup clash with Chelsea
Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola is optimistic Florian Wirtz will be available for Wednesday’s Carabao Cup tie against Chelsea at Anfield after the midfielder suffered an ankle issue against Brighton & Hove Albion.
Wirtz was influential in Sunday’s 2-0 win before he was withdrawn, but Iraola said the early signs were encouraging ahead of the final training session.
“We still have to wait. We train later and want to use this last day,” Iraola said. “Florian was quite fine. I’m quite optimistic that he will be available.”
Wirtz likely, Szoboszlai and Muñoz doubtful
- Florian Wirtz: Expected to have a chance of featuring after his ankle problem.
- Dominik Szoboszlai: A late decision, having missed Liverpool’s previous two matches through injury.
- Víctor Muñoz: Also faces a difficult race to return after missing the last two games.
Iraola was less positive on Szoboszlai and Muñoz, saying their prospects were more complicated than Wirtz’s. “I don’t want to say no, but I think it is going to be more difficult than Florian,” he said.
Changes planned for Chelsea test
Liverpool will rotate for the cup match, with Iraola managing workloads across the Carabao Cup and Champions League schedule. He insisted, however, that selection changes will not reduce the importance of the Chelsea fixture.
“There will definitely be changes, but we want to win and be competitive,” Iraola said. “We need to see how the legs are.”
He added that Liverpool want to progress despite being paired with Chelsea, describing the draw as difficult for both clubs. “We want to earn the right to be in the draw again, and that only happens if you win.”
What happens next
- Liverpool complete their final pre-match training session, with Wirtz, Szoboszlai and Muñoz assessed.
- Iraola makes a final call on the injured trio and confirms his rotated match squad.
- Liverpool host Chelsea at Anfield on Wednesday, with a place in the next Carabao Cup round at stake.
