Iraola optimistic on Wirtz but uncertain over Szoboszlai and Munoz for Chelsea tie
Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola expects Florian Wirtz to be available for Wednesday’s cup tie, but says Dominik Szoboszlai and Victor Munoz face a tougher wait.
Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola said on Tuesday, 27 October, that he was optimistic Florian Wirtz would be available for Wednesday night’s Carabao Cup fourth-round tie against Chelsea at Anfield, but was less sure about Dominik Szoboszlai and Victor Munoz. The three players’ fitness could affect his options as Liverpool seek a place in the next round.
Iraola said Liverpool would wait until after training to make a fuller assessment of Wirtz. Sports Mole quoted him as saying the midfielder was doing “quite fine” and that he was “quite optimistic” Wirtz would be available. Wirtz had gone off in the 65th minute of Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Brighton after an apparent blow to his ankle, according to Sports Mole.
Szoboszlai and Munoz face a harder fitness test
Iraola was more cautious about the other two players. “I don’t want to say no, but I think it’s going to be more difficult than Florian,” he said of Szoboszlai and Munoz, according to Sports Mole. He did not rule either out. His assessment leaves their participation uncertain until Liverpool complete their preparations for the Chelsea match.
Sports Mole reported that Munoz had missed Liverpool’s previous two matches because of a knock sustained against Brentford. It said Szoboszlai had aggravated a hamstring concern that he had not fully recovered from. Those problems put their prospects in a different position from Wirtz’s, whose availability Iraola viewed more positively after the Brighton game.
Liverpool plan changes for the Chelsea cup tie
Iraola said he would make changes against Chelsea, while stressing that Liverpool wanted to win and remain competitive. “We need to see how the legs are,” he said, according to Sports Mole. He said changes between matches had become almost mandatory as Liverpool also competed in the Champions League. The fitness decisions therefore come alongside a broader assessment of which players are ready for another game.
Liverpool enter the tie after four straight wins, most recently against Brighton, Anfield Index reported. It said Liverpool beat Tottenham 3-1 to reach the fourth round, while Chelsea advanced with a 6-3 win over Leeds United. Iraola’s comments establish the position before Wednesday’s match: optimism about Wirtz, a tougher assessment for Szoboszlai and Munoz, and planned changes to the side.
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Sources and context
- Andoni Iraola confirms double Liverpool injury blow ahead of Chelsea clashAnfield Index (republished by Yahoo Sports)
- Liverpool receive Florian Wirtz injury boost as Andoni Iraola confirms changes for Chelsea EFL Cup clashSports Mole
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.
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