Liverpool FC will be eyeing to win the record-breaking ninth EFL Cup, also known as Carabao Cup, when they face Chelsea FC on Sunday at the Wembley Stadium. Chelsea will be targeting add the Cup to their UEFA Champions League title and the FIFA Club World Cup, which they won recently. The Carabao Cup can give them a feeling of perfection after Thomas Tuchel took over the team in the middle of last season. If they win, it will be their 6th EFL Cup title.
Liverpool booked their tickets to Wembley after beating Arsenal in the two-legged semifinal. Chelsea matched into the final after overcoming Tottenham Hotspur for 3-0 on aggregate.
Liverpool are back in the Premier League title race after an emphatic win over Leeds United. They are just three points away from Manchester City on the point table. So, winning this Cup will push them in the title race as the season progresses steadily.
Chelsea needs this title as the hopes of winning the Premier League are slipping away from them. They dropped points at a crucial time, and the top teams went without losing their winning streak. A six-game winning run in all tournaments will boost the Blues as they face the Reds.
Team News:
Chelsea FC: Mason Mount was fit to be on the bench against Lille in UCL. Hakim Ziyech and Mateo Kovacic were subbed off against Lille due to injuries. But they might be fit to be in the squad for the final. Ben Chilwell could therefore be the Blues’ only absentee for the final, with Tuchel exclaiming that Reece James could be fit enough for a place in the squad.
Liverpool FC: Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino will miss Sunday’s final due to injury. The Brazil international has missed the last two matches with a groin injury and will not have recovered in time for the weekend.
The Reds’ assistant manager Pep Lijnders said: “Bobby won’t be available for the final.” Diogo Jota has not yet been ruled out, but Lijnders said it would be a challenge for the Portuguese forward to recover from his ankle injury.
Diogo Jota is battling to be fit for the final after sustaining an ankle injury against Inter Milan in the Champions League. The Reds boss has also confirmed that Caoimhin Kelleher will be the goalkeeper against Chelsea.
Head to Head history and results:
Chelsea wins: 65
Draws: 43
Liverpool wins: 82
Possible Lineups:
Chelsea’s possible starting lineup:
Kepa; Christensen, Silva, Rudiger; Azpilicueta, Jorginho, Kante, Alonso; Mount, Pulisic; Havertz
Liverpool’s possible starting lineup:
Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho, Thiago; Salah, Mane, Diaz
Match Details:
Date: Sunday, February 27, 2022.
Kick-off Time: 4.30 pm GMT
Venue: Wembley Stadium, London
