Garnacho starts for Chelsea as Isak features for Liverpool in Carabao Cup third round

Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho is set to make his first start for the club in the Carabao Cup third-round visit to Lincoln City, while Liverpool's Alexander Isak is named in the starting XI to face Southampton. The round represents the competition's entry point for Premier League clubs and a chance for fringe players and new signings to make an early impression in a knockout format.

Garnacho’s appearance for Chelsea comes after a big-money move from Manchester United earlier in the year, and his 11 minutes off the bench against Brentford hinted at the role he could play in Maresca’s plans. The Chelsea boss has repeatedly stressed the need to protect Cole Palmer, who remains sidelined with a groin issue, and he indicated the squad would be rotated to keep legs fresh across a demanding schedule. The plan to lean on academy prospects and fresh arrivals is in line with Chelsea’s approach in cup competitions, where depth can be as important as star power. Lincoln City, meanwhile, have named a recognisable frontline, with Rob Street and Ben House forming a strike partnership as they welcome a top-tier opponent to Sincil Bank.

Liverpool’s team news under Arne Slot signals a careful rotation for the Carabao Cup tie against Southampton. Isak is included in the starting XI, with Giorgi Mamardashvili between the posts and Giovanni Leoni ready to slot into defense, while Joe Gomez returns for his first start since December of the previous year. Slot has suggested that a number of fringe players will be given minutes, and Isak’s involvement aligns with the club’s aim to balance cup ambitions with a congested calendar. The Georgia-born goalkeeper Mamardashvili’s long-awaited competitive bow for Liverpool adds another layer of intrigue, as some observers questioned whether Caoimhin Kelleher’s departure had left a gap in goal that needed immediate addressing.

The Carabao Cup schedule for the night extends beyond these two fixtures, with Wrexham hosting Reading and a handful of other ties providing additional drama. Enzo Maresca warned that Chelsea cannot afford to underestimate Lincoln, treating the cup as a potential banana skin if the squad is not fully focused. His comments underscored the broader challenge of rotating without losing structure, especially when a club is juggling domestic cup runs with league commitments.

Kick-off times underline the evening’s structure: Chelsea’s trip to Lincoln City starts at 7:45 p.m. local time, followed by Liverpool’s Anfield encounter with Southampton, which begins 15 minutes later at 8:00 p.m. The live blog will monitor lineups, in-game developments, and any injury updates as the round unfolds.

As the night develops, teams will weigh immediate cup impact against longer-term squad balance. For Chelsea, Garnacho’s involvement will be one of the talking points, given the weight of expectation surrounding new arrivals and the need to demonstrate consistency in a competition where success can build momentum. For Liverpool, Isak’s start could offer a glimpse of how the club intends to construct its forward line in rotation-heavy phases of the season, with Mamardashvili’s performance likely to draw attention from supporters and pundits alike.

Beyond the headline narratives, the Carabao Cup third round serves as an early barometer for several clubs as they assess depth, adaptability, and the readiness of players who might be needed for deeper campaigns later in the year. The night’s outcomes could influence selection decisions in the weeks ahead, particularly for teams balancing multiple fronts.