Jürgen Klopp and Maurizio Sarri will go head to head for the first time when Liverpool host Chelsea in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night.

The Blues' Italian manager arrived from Napoli in the summer and remains unbeaten since the start of the Premier League season.

Sarri's reinvented Chelsea side had matched the Reds' 100 per cent winning start in the league and Europe until a 0-0 draw at West Ham United last weekend.

So, what can we expect from the visitors? How will they try to bounce back?

We caught up with blogger and Chelsea season ticket holder Phil Lythell (@PhilLythell) to find out...

A slight blip against the Hammers on Sunday, but have Sarri's Chelsea exceeded your initial expectations?

They have certainly adapted to Sarri's demands quicker than expected. Usually, a new manager takes a little while to put their stamp on a team, especially if introducing an entirely new approach. 

Antonio Conte won the Premier League in his debut campaign but there were a few bumps in the road initially - not least a 2-1 home defeat to Liverpool - before the correct balance was struck. So in that regard, Sarri's instant impact has been impressive.

That said, Chelsea have had a benign set of fixtures with which to begin the campaign so I don't think anybody is getting carried away. There are still plenty of flaws to be ironed out, but it has still been a very encouraging start.

Is the League Cup a real target for the Blues?

The League Cup grew in importance to Chelsea from the moment Jose Mourinho arrived at the club and targeted every trophy available. That desire for trophies has not changed in the interim. 

A top-four finish and winning the Europa League remain the top priorities for the Blues this season, with the Premier League title looking slightly beyond reach for the time being.

The opportunity to walk victorious up the Wembley steps is never to be sniffed at. As I'm sure Liverpool fans would agree, silverware is the currency of all clubs with ambition so any opportunity to add to the collection should be taken.

How many changes do you expect Sarri to make?

I expect there to be plenty of changes to Sarri's team. The congested nature of the season and the fact that six players started at both PAOK in the Europa League last Thursday and at West Ham on Sunday means that several will be in need of a rest - especially with the vastly more important Premier League meeting with Liverpool looming on Saturday. 

Hard to say precisely how many, though it could be into double figures.

What's your predicted line-up?

Which fresh face should LFC fans keep an eye on during the match?

Callum Hudson-Odoi is a real talent who has been unlucky not to feature already this season. He was an integral part of the England team that won the U17 World Cup in 2017, alongside Liverpool's Rhian Brewster. A skilful, quick and intelligent winger, he is destined for big things despite still being only 17. 

Ethan Ampadu may also make an appearance. Only just 18, he plays with the authority of a veteran and has the composure to play either in defence or midfield. A wonderful passer of the ball, he will certainly catch the eye if he makes it onto the pitch.

Will Sarri approach the game with the same tactics?

Sarri has admitted that he only has one type of approach and that he would persist with it no matter what as that is what he was hired by Chelsea to implement. 

This will be an opportunity to test out those on the fringes of the first team within his system and see how they adapt to his demands. 

The worry is that Klopp will get a practical run through against it before the league meeting at the weekend.

Where do you see the key battle for control of the match?

Midfield, as in any game, will be crucial. It is bound to be full of energy, pressing and one-touch passing. However, the game could well be decided on who best exploits the spaces behind each team's full-backs. 

Both sets of wide defenders are required to get forward in their respective systems and both teams employ rapid transitions from defence to attack. Whoever gets the balance right will emerge victorious.

What is your prediction?

2-2 (Chelsea win on penalties).

Premier League 2018-19 Premier League 2018-19