Liverpool is preparing for a decisive match in the English League Cup, where Basque coaches Andoni IraIray Xabi Alonso, former teammates from childhood and from the Euskadi and Spain national teams, will meet in the round of 16. The match, which will be held at Anfield at 9:00 p.m., will put at stake the elimination of both teams and the possibility of advancing to the quarterfinals.
IraIra, 44, took charge of Liverpool after an outstanding spell at the helm of Bournemouth, where he achieved a campaign of four consecutive victories that consolidated his reputation as a coach. His arrival at the English club coincided with the departure of Jürgen Klopp and the need for a leader who could maintain competitiveness in the Premier League and the Champions League. To date, Liverpool occupies fourth place in the Premier League table and third place in the Champions League, 9 points clear of second place. The coach has had the support of players such as Ronald Araujo, on loan from Barcelona, who was named best player of the day after his performance against Brighton, and Nyoni and Gakpo, among others.
For his part, Alonso, also 44, left Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid to take over at Chelsea. His time at the London club has been marked by the search for stability and consistent results, although the team has suffered some key losses. Chelsea are currently below Liverpool in the Premier League table, after a resounding 2‑0 against Tottenham last week. In addition, the team has dealt with the absence of important players: Frimpong and Szoboszlai are still out, and the club's top scorer, Joao Pedro, is injured after muscle training. Other players such as Cole Palmer, sent off in the derby, and Dibu Martínez and Reece James are also sidelined due to suspensions and injuries.
The probable lineups reflect the strategy of both coaches. At Anfield, Liverpool will have Mamardashvili in goal, a defense made up of Ronald Araujo, Jacquet, Joe Gomez and Kerkez, and a midfield with Nyoni and Mac Allister. The forwards will consist of Ngumoha, McConnell, Gakpo and Koumas. For its part, Chelsea will field Penders in goal, a defense with Acheampong, Wesley Fofana and Colwill, and a midfield with Gusto, Lavia and Barco. In attack, the team will have Palestra, Estevao, Quenda and Welbeck.
The referee assigned to the match will be Darren England. The match promises to be a duel of friendships and rivalries, with both Basque coaches seeking victory for their respective clubs. The teams' departure will depend on the ability of IraIra and Alonso to manage their squads and take advantage of opportunities on the field. The result of this confrontation will determine whether Liverpool and Chelsea will advance to the next phase of the English League Cup.