Premier League giants Chelsea and Liverpool will face off in the Carabao Cup Final.
The Blues began their journey in Round 2 of the competition, where they defeated AFC Wimbledon 2-1. They overcame league rivals Brighton 1-0 in Round 3, before defeating Blackburn Rovers 2-0 in Round 4. Chelsea toiled and defeated Newcastle United 4-2 on penalties in the quarter-final after a 1-1 draw in 120 minutes.
They suffered a bump in the road in the first leg of the semi-finals against Middlesbrough, losing 1-0. However, they bounced back with a stunning 6-1 win in the return leg to advance to the final 6-2 on aggregate.
The Reds had a slightly shorter route to the final as they began their journey in Round 3, defeating Leicester City 3-1 to advance. They then defeated Bournemouth 2-1 in Round 4, before thrashing West Ham United 5-1 in the quarter-finals. Liverpool won their first leg of the semi-finals against Fulham 2-1 at home and drew 1-1 away to advance to the final 3-2 on aggregate.
With that said, let’s take a look at the top 10 key facts ahead of this final.
1. When and where will the Carabao Cup Final take place?
- Venue: The Carabao Cup Final will take place at the Wembley Stadium in London.
- Date: Sunday, February 25.
- Time: 3:00 PM (GMT).
2. Chelsea vs Liverpool head-to-head in knockout competitions
Last 5 Head-to-Head in Knockouts
- Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool (5-6 pens.), FA Cup Final 2021-22.
- Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool (10-11 pens.), Carabao Cup Final 2021-22.
- Chelsea 2-0 Liverpool, FA Cup Round 5 2019-20.
- Liverpool 2-2 Chelsea (5-4 pens.), UEFA Super Cup 2019-20.
- Liverpool 1-2 Chelsea, Carabao Cup Round 3 2018-19.
Liverpool have come up clutch in the last three meetings where trophies were at stake, winning each time. However, the Blues have knocked the Reds out of domestic competitions in the early stages.
3. Contrasting season for the finalists
Jurgen Klopp’s men have had a great season so far. They sit atop the Premier League table with 60 points from 26 games with a four-point cushion over second-placed Manchester City.
The Reds also qualified for the Europa League round of 16 after topping Group E with 12 points and will face Sparta Praha in the next round.
Chelsea, on the other hand, are reeling in 10th place in the Premier League with 35 points from 25 games. They are 12 points adrift of the European spots and would need an incredible effort to qualify.
4. Injury news ahead of Chelsea vs Liverpool
Chelsea Injury News
Mauricio Pochettino will have a decision to make in central defense after Levi Colwill and Axel Disasi’s performance in their 1-1 draw against Man City. Thiago Silva is an injury doubt for this one and could make the substitutes list.
Long-term absentees Reece James (hamstring), Wesley Fofana (ACL), Marc Cucurella (ankle), Lesley Ugochukwu (hamstring) and Romeo Lavia (unknown) will miss the game.
Liverpool Injury News
The Reds will be without key trio Alisson, Diogo Jota and Trent-Alexander Arnold for this game as well as the next few weeks. Curtis Jones, Joel Matip, Stefan Bajcetic and Thiago will miss out as well and could make their returns before the end of the season.
Three more key players Dominik Szoboszlai, Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez will all face late fitness tests to determine their availability for the Carabao Cup Final.
ALSO READ: Mohamed Salah’s Injury Update as Club Manager spoken on him in the press conference today.
5. Liverpool’s Predicted Lineup
With several injury concerns to navigate, Jurgen Klopp will have a tough choice to make in terms of personnel for the final.
Caoimhin Kelleher will start in goal with skipper Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate ahead of him in defence. Conor Bradley and Andrew Robertson will start as the full-backs.
Wataru Endo will play the deep-lying midfield role, while Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch complete the trio.
In attack, Klopp will have to go with Harvey Elliott and Luis Diaz on the flanks, with Cody Gakpo through the middle.
Predicted XI: Kelleher (GK); Bradley, van Dijk (C), Konate, Robertson; Endo, Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Elliott, Gakpo, Diaz.
6. Chelsea’s Predicted Lineup
The Blues did well in their last game to earn a 1-1 draw against the defending Premier League champions. Pochettino will likely stick with the same lineup.
Dorde Petrovic will start between the sticks, with Axel Disasi and Levi Colwill as the central pair. Skipper Ben Chilwell and Malo Gusto will be the full-backs.
In midfield, Moises Caicedo will continue his partnership with Enzo Fernandez in the holding role. Conor Gallagher will play ahead of them.
On the wings, Chelsea will have Raheem Sterling and Cole Palmer, both in decent form. Nicolas Jackson will start through the middle as the striker.
Predicted XI: Petrovic (GK); Gusto, Disasi, Colwill, Chilwell (C); Caicedo, Fernandez, Gallagher; Palmer, Jackson, Sterling.
7. Chelsea vs Liverpool Carabao Cup Final records
Liverpool are the most successful club in the competition’s history, having won the Carabao Cup nine times. Their latest triumph was in the 2021-22 season when they defeated the Blues. They have finished as runners-up on four occasions, the last being in 2015-16 when they lost to Manchester City.
Chelsea, on the other hand, have won the competition five times, having last lifted the trophy in 2014-15 after defeating Tottenham in the final. They have finished runners-up times, with the last being against the Reds in 2021-22.
8. A tendency for a stalemate
Prior to Liverpool’s handsome 4-1 win over Chelsea in the Premier League earlier this month, the two sides played out seven consecutive draws in a 90-minute time-frame.
Five of those were in the Premier League, with three at Stamford Bridge and two at Anfield. One was in the FA Cup final, which Liverpool won. Earlier that same season, the Reds defeated Chelsea in the Carabao Cup Final as well after a draw.
9. Match Officials for the Carabao Cup Final
Experienced referee Chris Kavanagh has been handed the honour of refereeing Chelsea vs Liverpool on Sunday, February 25.
John Brooks will be the video assistant referee (VAR), while Mark Scholes and James Mainwaring will be the linesmen. Tim Robinson will be the fourth official for the game.
10. Where to watch Chelsea vs Liverpool?
The final will be available to watch on several TV channels and websites across the globe. Here are some from key locations.
- UK: Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Football.
- US: ESPN+.
- India: Fancode app & website.
- Australia: BeIn Connect AU.
ALSO READ: Chelsea vs Liverpool Preview, Prediction and Betting Tips | Carabao Cup Final.