EFL CUP FINAL
CHELSEA VS LIVERPOOL
25/02/2024 – 17:00
The quadruple will be an epic achievement if it can be done in Jurgen Klopp’s final season, and they come into this Cup Final in good form, following their midweek victory over Luton.
Klopp has already compared that win to their famous win over Barcelona in 2019.However, for Chelsea, the cliche of, ‘form goes out the window,’ applies here as well, but they’ve done well in their earlier outing, holding Man City to a draw at the Etihad. Mauricio Pochettino was pleased with that performance, and they will carry that form and confidence into Sunday’s Final.
Both sets of fans will argue they’re more deserving of the crown, with the Blues due some luck after being on the losing side of their last five finals at Wembley. Klopp believes Liverpool shouldn’t be branded favourite’s, given their injuries, but Chelsea’s physio room isn’t all that empty. One thing for certain is the Scousers have conceded in their last six Carabao games and it should give Chelsea some hope.
Veteran defender Thiago Silva is racing back to fitness along with Carney Chukwuemeka for Chelsea, who will also be without Benoit Batiashvili and Reece James at Wembley. Marquee summer signing Christopher Nkunku looks set to start on the bench having failed to show much form since his return from injury, with Nicolas Jackson primed to lead the line in between Cole Palmer and Raheem Sterling.
Liverpool have been hit with several injuries. Darwin Nunez, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Mohamed Salah have all been labelled doubts with assistant coach Pep Lijnders stating on Friday that no decision had been made on the trio. Alisson Becker, Diogo Jota, Curtis Jones, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Thiago Alcantara and Joel Matip have been ruled out.
The Reds have lost only twice in the Premier League this season and are unbeaten in the lead up to the Carabao Cup Final. This emphasizes just how difficult Chelsea’s task will be. The Blues have produced strong displays in a number of big games this season, but the lack of consistency makes it difficult for their fans to believe they can pull this off. However, many believe that injuries to the Reds could swing this final in Pochettino’s favour. But, Poch would’ve watched Liverpool’s clash with Luton, and he’ll expect his team not to show any complacency.
Expect aggression, drama and, potentially, for it to go all the way to a dreaded penalty shootout. Raheem Sterling and Luis Diaz will be key figures respectively and this will be tight game, and it will be entertaining for the neutrals, but it seems like Liverpool should clinch the cheaper FA Cup.
CHELSEA TO WIN BY 1 GOAL @ 37/10
LIVERPOOL TO WIN BY 1 GOAL @ 29/10
CORRECT SCORE 1-1 @ 6/1
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