Chelsea and Liverpool meet for the third time in the League Cup final and the first time since the 2021-22 season.
CHE vs LIV Match Details
Date: Sunday, 25 February 2024
Time: 20:30 (IST)
Venue: Wembley Stadium, London
CHE vs LIV Match Preview
Even after going through another underwhelming season in the Premier League, Chelsea find themselves with a chance to lift silverware by reaching the League Cup final against all odds. Furthermore, manager Mauricio Pochettino has a chance to earn his first trophy in England and even get a shot at Europe. The Blues passed the test against AFC Wimbledon, Brighton & Hove Albion, Newcastle United and Blackburn Rovers before making it to the last four. Despite losing 1-0 away to Middlesbrough in the first leg, Chelsea made a comeback in the second leg in style winning 6-1 at Stamford Bridge. A familiar foe in Liverpool who triumphed in the last final meeting through a penalty shootout two years ago stands in their way to collecting a sixth title in history. They lost in the same way in their last two EFL Cup finals and already suffered a 4-1 thrashing against the Reds in the Premier League. However, the Blues have seen a turn in form in the last three matches even holding league holders Manchester City to a 1-1 draw last weekend giving a source of motivation ahead of the Wembley showdown on Sunday.
Despite injuries mounting up, Liverpool have maintained their charge for the Premier League title and have the opportunity now to win the first domestic trophy of the season. Overcoming Leicester City, Bournemouth, West Ham United and Fulham to reach the showpiece, Jurgen Klopp will wish his final League Cup journey would end in triumph. Liverpool are the most successful side in the competition having lifted the title nine times with this being their 14th appearance in the final. Added to that, the Reds are carrying an eight-game unbeaten streak over Chelsea with the win at Anfield earlier this season coming after seven consecutive draws between the pair. Klopp’s men have also beaten the Blues in the EFL Cup and FA Cup finals in 2022 both by penalty shootout. Hence, there will be a lot of confidence for the side moving into the final who are also tipped to win it. Liverpool are also in the running for the league title, FA Cup and the Europa League so have the chance to accomplish the unprecedented quadruple they failed to achieve in the 2021-22 season. Side by side it will be a fitting farewell for the German who has brought them to this stage since joining the club in 2015.
Recent Form (all competitions)
CHE: DLLWWD
LIV: WWLWW
Recent Form (League Cup)
CHE: WWWLW
LIV: WWWWD
CHE vs LIV Team News
Carney Chukwuemeka (ankle), Lesley Ugochukwu and Romeo Lavia (both thigh injuries) will miss the League Cup final with Marc Cucurella (ankle) and Thiago Silva (groin) also a doubt for the match. However, Chelsea could see the likes of Benoit Badiashile, Reece James and Wesley Fofana returning this weekend. Goalkeeper Robert Sanchez has also made himself available but Djordje Petrovic will continue between the sticks.
Liverpool are concerned about Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez and Dominik Szoboszlai’s availability for the final clash with the trio requiring the latest fitness test. Their injury list already contains Alisson Becker (hamstring), Trent Alexander-Arnold (knee), Ben Doak (knee), Stefan Bajcetic (calf), Joel Matip (ACL), Diogo Jota (knee), Thiago Alcantara (muscle) and Curtis Jones (shin).
CHE vs LIV Predicted Lineups
Chelsea
Petrovic; Gusto, Disasi, Colwill, Chilwell; Caicedo, Fernandez; Palmer, Gallagher, Sterling; Jackson
Liverpool
Kelleher; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Endo, Mac Allister; Salah, Gakpo, Diaz
CHE vs LIV Head-to-Head (League Cup)
Played - 9
CHE won - 4
Drawn - 1
LIV won - 4
CHE vs LIV Dream11 Match Prediction
A nervy affair is expected again, but Liverpool might have a slight edge over Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final.
CHE vs LIV Dream11 Top picks
Captain Pick: Cody Gakpo
Vice-captain Picks: Cole Palmer, Luis Diaz
Others: Mohamed Salah
Our top pick for the CHE vs LIV Dream11 team is Cody Gakpo with four goals in the league cup and 11 goals in all competitions. The same tally is scored by Cole Palmer who could be the other top choice.
CHE vs LIV Dream11 Team Suggestion
GK: Kelleher (Cr - 7)
DEF: Bradley (Cr - 8), Van Dijk (Cr - 8.5), Gusto (Cr - 8)
MID: Palmer (Cr - 9), E Fernandez (Cr - 8.5), Gakpo (Cr - 8), Mac Allister (Cr - 8), Diaz (Cr - 9)
FW: Salah (Cr - 9), Jackson (Cr - 8)
Vice-captain: Cole Palmer
Captain: Cody Gakpo
Stay tuned to Fantasy Football for upcoming matches.
