10 things to know ahead of Liverpool’s League Cup final vs. Chelsea

The first piece of silverware since July 2020 beckons for Liverpool in the League Cup final, but they must first overcome Chelsea to pick up the fifth trophy under Jurgen Klopp.

It’s final time! The Reds are in fine form as they head to Wembley off the back of a 6-0 rout over Leeds, with their ambitions in all four competitions still very much alive.

And Sunday’s final will represent the end of one of those competitions, with the Reds eager to be on the winning side in their first final since December 2019.

Here are 10 things to know ahead of meeting Chelsea at Wembley.

 

1. A Chelsea side with confidence

LONDON, ENGLAND - Monday, March 8, 2021: Chelsea's Kai Havertz during the FA Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Everton FC at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea won 2-0. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

It’s been a positive month for Chelsea after having seen their glimmer of hope to be discussed in the title race snuffed out, having recently won the Club World Cup.

Thomas Tuchel’s side have won their last six in all competitions and are unbeaten in the seven, despite their manager’s consistent nod to the lack of wingbacks available.

Chelsea have conceded three goals during their unbeaten streak and scored 11, but they do find themselves up against a Liverpool side who have won the last nine in a row – scoring 25 in that time.

One side has to succumb on Sunday though.

 

2. How could Tuchel line up his side?

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Thursday, March 4, 2021: Chelsea's manager Thomas Tuchel is interviewed after the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Chelsea FC at Anfield. Chelsea won 1-0 condemning Liverpool to their fifth consecutive home defeat for the first time in the club’s history. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

There are a wealth of options for Tuchel on Sunday and he has even winter at throwing Reece James straight back into the XI on his return from a hamstring injury.

And while there had been doubts over both Hakim Ziyech and Mateo Kovacic after knocks in midweek, the duo are to be available to leave Chelsea with a full squad bar Ben Chilwell.

Much like Caoimhin Kelleher, Kepa Arrizabalaga has been their cup goalkeeper and could set up a battle of the No. 2’s, while record club signing Romelu Lukaku could again be left out in favour of Kai Havertz.

Possible Chelsea XI: Kepa; Christensen, Silva, Rudiger; Azpilicueta, Jorginho, Kante, Alonso; Mount, Pulisic; Havertz

 

3. Will Jota and Firmino feature?

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, February 6th, 2022: Liverpool's Diogo Jota celebrates after scoring the first goal during the FA Cup 4th Round match between Liverpool FC and Cardiff City FC at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

The short answer: Possibly, and no.

While Roberto Firmino is “pushing himself really hard,” the final will come too soon for the Brazilian following his adductor injury at the San Siro more than a week ago.

Diogo Jota is still a chance having responded well to the stress placed on his ankle in his individual session, but it “will be a challenge” for him to be ready.

The best-case scenario appears to be a place on the bench for the No. 20, who was instrumental in guiding the Reds to Wembley.

 

4. Plenty of options for Reds’ XI

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, February 23, 2022: Liverpool's Thiago Alcantara hands the captain's armband to Jordan Henderson during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Leeds United FC at Anfield. Liverpool won 6-0. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

It is more the substitutes bench that Klopp may find hard to narrow down, such are the options at his disposal.

We know Kelleher is to be in the XI and with Jota and Firmino not to be starting contenders, the front three all but picks itself.

The midfield battle is fierce but it will be hard to look away from Fabinho, Thiago and Jordan Henderson as the trio, while it is to be a straight shootout between Joel Matip and Ibrahima Konate.

There are then the likes of Kostas Tsimikas, James Milner, Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Harvey Elliott, Takumi Minamino, Curtis Jones and Divock Origi to also make up nine sub spots.

Predicted Reds XI: Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Henderson, Thiago; Salah, Diaz, Mane

 

5. One for the ‘whole club’

Jurgen Klopp celebrates, fist pumps, the Kop (Image: PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo)

After five matches across four rounds, Liverpool have made it a squad effort to reach the final and Klopp is proud of that fact, with a win to be one “for the whole club”:

“So if – a big if – we win the competition then it’s a competition really for the whole club and especially for the Academy as well because we used players from the U18s, we obviously used players from the U23s,” he told the club’s official website.

“They are all really good and that’s why we used them, but some of them made obviously a proper impression, like Tyler [Morton], for example, like Kaide [Gordon], for example, like Conor [Bradley], for example – not to miss anybody.

“Everybody deserves to be a part of this journey.”

 

6. ‘One-club mentality’

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 8, 2021: Liverpool's manager Jürgen Klopp (L) and first-team development coach Pepijn Lijnders during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Athletic Club de Bilbao at Anfield. The game ended in a 1-1 draw. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Media duties were again handed to Pep Lindjers for the cup exploits, with the assistant manager echoing Klopp’s words on the significance of success for the entire club:

“If you look at the best clubs in the world, what do they have in common? It’s this one-club mentality and our journey in this League Cup shows we are exactly that.

“Now we are two days away from a final and we want to go in it with all we have and make it a proper game, with our way of course.

“We want to go to Wembley and see all the fans, hear them and feel them. For Liverpool, not just for us as a group, as a staff, but for the whole club it is a big compliment because this competition is so much more than just the first team.”

 

7. Respective routes to the final

Both Liverpool and Chelsea entered the League Cup at the third round, meeting Premier League and Championship opposition between them.

The Reds successfully navigated ties against Norwich (3-0), Preston (2-0), Leicester (3-3, 5-4 on pens) and Arsenal (2-0 on aggregate), conceding only three goals in that time.

Chelsea, on the other hand, twice went to penalties against Aston Villa (1-1, 4-3 on pens) and Southampton (1-1, 4-3 on pens) before wins over Brentford (2-0) and Tottenham (3-0 on aggregate).

This is the fourth time the two clubs will meet in a final, following on from one in the Super Cup (2019), League Cup (2005) and FA Cup (2012).

 

8. Did you know?

Jordan Henderson with League Cup trophy (Wembley, 2012) Image: PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo

Liverpool are the joint-most successful side in the League Cup for the number of trophies and can stand alone with a win over Chelsea in what would be their ninth triumph.

The Reds currently share top spot with Man City with eight, after success in 1980/81, 1981/82, 1982/83, 1983/84, 1994/95, 2000/01, 2002/03, 2011/12.

And this will be the Reds’ 14th appearance in the final of the League Cup, four more than the next best in Chelsea.

Interestingly, since the start of the 21st in England’s top four tiers, this is the most played fixture, with Sunday the 68th game meeting between Liverpool and Chelsea.

Let’s make it a good one and add Henderson to the list of captains to lift the trophy!

 

9. Who has the whistle?

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, December 11, 2021: Liverpool's captain Jordan Henderson and Aston Villa's Tyrone Mings speak with referee Stuart Atwell during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Aston Villa FC at Anfield. Liverpool won 1-0. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Stuart Attwell is to take charge of Sunday’s final, he has overseen two Liverpool matches this season – the win over Aston Villa and the draw at Brentford.

Notably, the VAR is Darren England, the same Darren England that overlooked two penalty shouts for Mohamed Salah in back-to-back games against Leicester and Burnley.

Make of that what you will.

Let’s just hope it’s not refereeing decisions that we’re talking about after the game!

 

10. How to follow along live!

LONDON, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 4, 2019: Liverpool supporters celebrate the first equalising goal during the FA Community Shield match between Manchester City FC and Liverpool FC at Wembley Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

After a strange run of games not being live in the UK, the League Cup final is to be broadcast by Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Main Event, with kickoff at 4.30pm (GMT).

But if you’re eager for biased commentary and perhaps even some nervous ramblings, then This IS Anfield’s matchday live blog is for you, you can follow along with Joanna Durkan from 3.45pm!

Up the Reds!