Liverpool have a decision to make over Florian Wirtz ahead of Wednesday’s Carabao Cup tie against Chelsea, with the midfielder’s latest ankle problem presenting Andoni Iraola with an early test of how best to manage his squad.

Wirtz was forced off during Sunday’s 2-0 victory over Brighton after twisting his ankle, casting doubt over his availability for the fourth-round tie at Anfield. The immediate concern appeared limited, but the circumstances surrounding the injury warrant attention.

After the Brighton match, Wirtz was optimistic that the problem was not too serious. He also revealed that he had twisted his ankle on several occasions in recent weeks, raising the question of whether Liverpool should take a cautious approach with one of their most important creative players.

Iraola offered a similarly measured assessment after Sunday’s game, saying the injury did not look serious but emphasising that Liverpool needed to assess the situation with matches coming every three days.

That leaves the Liverpool head coach balancing two priorities: maintaining the momentum of four consecutive victories in all competitions and ensuring a relatively minor injury does not become a more disruptive problem.

The timing complicates matters. Liverpool host Chelsea on Wednesday before facing Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday, giving Iraola little room to manoeuvre between two significant fixtures.

The Carabao Cup presents an opportunity to progress to the quarter-finals and continue building confidence, particularly after Liverpool’s encouraging victory over Brighton. Wirtz played his part in that result, with his shot deflecting off Pascal Groß for the opening goal.

But Liverpool must also consider the value of having the Germany international available for the longer term. His ability to receive between the lines, create opportunities and link midfield with attack makes him an important option for Iraola.

The question is not simply whether Wirtz can play through discomfort. It is whether the potential benefit of selecting him against Chelsea justifies the risk, particularly if the ankle has been troubling him repeatedly.

Liverpool have other options, although injuries elsewhere in the squad limit Iraola’s flexibility. Dominik Szoboszlai has also been working his way back from a hamstring problem, while Victor Muñoz has been struggling with a knock sustained against Brentford.

Those absences make Wirtz’s availability more significant, but they should not necessarily dictate the decision. Liverpool’s priority must be establishing whether he is fit enough to contribute without risking a more serious setback.

There is a temptation to treat every cup tie as an opportunity to field the strongest possible side, especially when a team is enjoying a winning run. Yet the ability to manage a squad across a congested schedule is equally important.

Wirtz’s comments after Brighton offered some encouragement, but optimism from a player immediately after an injury is not the same as medical clearance. Until Liverpool have assessed the ankle properly, his availability remains uncertain.

Iraola’s press conference on Tuesday should provide a clearer indication of the situation, including whether Wirtz has made progress since leaving the Brighton game and whether the club has any concerns about the recurring nature of the problem.

The wider issue is one of management rather than simply selection. Liverpool need Wirtz fit and contributing, but they also need to avoid allowing the demands of a busy week to turn a manageable injury into a prolonged absence.

Chelsea offer a demanding test, and Liverpool will want to maintain the momentum they have built. Whether Wirtz can feature will depend on the latest assessment — and on how Iraola weighs the immediate importance of Wednesday’s tie against the longer-term interests of his team.