Chelsea Predicted Lineup vs Liverpool: Joao Pedro Out, Welbeck to Start

Chelsea travel to Anfield on Wednesday for a Carabao Cup tie with Liverpool, but will be without striker Joao Pedro due to a thigh injury. Manager Xabi Alonso is expected to bring Danny Welbeck into the starting XI, with Morgan Rogers dropping back into attack. Here is the full predicted lineup and team news.

  • Fixture: Liverpool vs Chelsea, Carabao Cup
  • Venue: Anfield
  • Date: Wednesday (kick-off time not specified in source)
  • Key absence: Joao Pedro (thigh injury, out for weeks)
  • Predicted XI: Penders; Acheampong, Colwill, Fofana; Gusto, Lavia, Caicedo, Palestra; Rogers, Estevao; Welbeck
  • At stake: Chelsea need a improved attacking display after flat performance vs Tottenham

Confirmed line-ups

No confirmed line-ups have been released yet. The following is the predicted Chelsea XI based on Xabi Alonso's likely selection.

Chelsea (3-4-2-1)

Starting XI: Mike Penders; Josh Acheampong, Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana; Malo Gusto, Romeo Lavia, Moises Caicedo, Marco Palestra; Morgan Rogers, Estevao; Danny Welbeck

Substitutes: Not specified in source. Emmanuel Emegha is expected to be in the squad but a first start is unlikely.

Selection notes

Joao Pedro is unavailable due to a thigh injury. Morgan Rogers, who struggled as a central striker against Tottenham, drops back into one of the two attacking midfield roles. Danny Welbeck comes in to lead the line. Romeo Lavia is expected to replace Jordan Henderson, who has played 90 minutes in each of Chelsea's last three matches. Mike Penders keeps his place despite a poor error against Spurs. Reece James, Jamie Gittens, Emiliano Martinez and Cole Palmer are all unavailable.

What was said

"He has an injury of his thigh and he is going to be out for a few weeks. Let's see how many. We don't want to predict on that, but he is not ready for the next games."

— Xabi Alonso, Chelsea manager, on Joao Pedro's injury

Alonso's comments confirm that Joao Pedro will not be rushed back, leaving Chelsea short of a natural focal point up front. The manager's refusal to set a specific return date suggests the medical staff are still assessing the severity of the thigh problem.

With no ready-made replacement, Alonso must improvise. The expected switch to Welbeck and the repositioning of Rogers indicates a desire to restore a more conventional attacking structure.

Injury and availability

  • Joao Pedro: Out with a thigh injury, will miss the next few weeks.
  • Reece James: Still out following knee surgery.
  • Jamie Gittens: Getting closer to a return but not yet available.
  • Emiliano Martinez: Remains sidelined.
  • Cole Palmer: Suspended and unavailable.
  • Pep Chavarria: May not be fit enough to return; Marco Palestra could continue on the opposite flank.

Why Alonso trusts Welbeck to lead the line

Xabi Alonso faces a straightforward choice: persist with a makeshift striker or turn to a seasoned forward. Danny Welbeck offers a physical presence and link play that Morgan Rogers could not provide against Tottenham. Rogers, deployed through the middle, blunted Chelsea's attack and left them without a presence in the box. Moving him back into an attacking midfield role should restore his effectiveness.

The inclusion of Romeo Lavia for Jordan Henderson is a necessary rotation. Henderson has played every minute of Chelsea's last three matches, and with a crucial Premier League game against Manchester United on Saturday, Alonso cannot afford to run him into the ground. Lavia's fresh legs alongside Moises Caicedo should provide energy and stability in midfield.

At the back, Wesley Fofana comes in to add authority and fresh legs to a defence that looked shaky against Spurs. Mike Penders keeps his place in goal despite his error, partly because Emiliano Martinez is still unavailable. The back three of Josh Acheampong, Levi Colwill and Fofana will need to be compact and disciplined against Liverpool's attack.

The predicted 3-4-2-1 shape is designed to keep Chelsea compact and hard to beat. With Malo Gusto and Marco Palestra as wing-backs, Chelsea will look to stretch the play while maintaining a solid defensive base. The key will be whether Welbeck can hold the ball up and bring Rogers and Estevao into the game.

Talking points

  • Is Danny Welbeck the right choice to lead the line, or should Alonso have given Emmanuel Emegha a chance from the start?
  • Morgan Rogers was ineffective as a striker against Tottenham; does his return to attacking midfield solve Chelsea's creativity problems?
  • Mike Penders keeps his place despite a poor error—is that a show of faith or a lack of alternatives?
  • With Manchester United on Saturday, has Alonso rotated enough to keep key players fresh for the league?

What happens next

Chelsea face Liverpool at Anfield on Wednesday in the Carabao Cup, before hosting Manchester United in the Premier League on Saturday. Alonso must balance the need for a result with preserving his squad for the league fixture. A flat performance against Liverpool could increase pressure ahead of the United game.

Frequently asked questions

Is Joao Pedro playing for Chelsea vs Liverpool?

No, Joao Pedro is out with a thigh injury and will miss the next few weeks, according to Xabi Alonso.

Who is starting up front for Chelsea vs Liverpool?

Danny Welbeck is expected to start as the central striker, with Morgan Rogers and Estevao behind him.

Why is Romeo Lavia starting for Chelsea?

Lavia is expected to come in for Jordan Henderson, who has played 90 minutes in each of Chelsea's last three matches.

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