Carabao Cup Final: Chelsea Vs Liverpool; Preview, Team News, Possible Line-ups, Prediction, Kick-off Time And Date

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Adesina David

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Wembley hosts the final of the 64th edition of the English Football League Cup - a titanic clash involving Liverpool and Chelsea.

This is a game involving the most successful side in the competition - Liverpool against the Blues - who are also one of the most successful teams in the competition's history.

Familiar foes go head-to-head looking to silence and devour their opposition, but in a customary manner, only one winner will emerge.

The Reds have won the English Football League Cup 9 times in history, while Chelsea have won it 5 times.

The EFL Cup also known as the Carabao Cup for sponsorship reasons was founded in 1960, with 92 teams competing for ultimate glory.

In the 2023/24 edition, 2 traditional and historical English giants are in the final, battling for pride and honor.

Definitely, Liverpool come into this game as the favorites, having annihilated Chelsea 4-1 in their recent league meeting, played on Wednesday, January 31, 2024.

Jurgen Klopp put up a swashbuckling performance at Anfield, bringing down their rivals to earth in the most commanding of fashion.

Chelsea was impressive in the reverse fixture at Stamford Bridge after Luis Diaz had put Liverpool ahead, with Axel Disasi leveling minutes later.

It was an encounter of two halves, although the Blues rightly bossed the game for most part of the duration.

Anyway, Sunday, February 25, 2024, a final beckons in Wembley, with two teams hoping to show guts and determination, worthy enough to hand them the coveted prize.

The last time both clubs met in the final of a cup competition was during the 2021/22 season, with Jurgen Klopp's side being victorious on penalties in the FA Cup final.

Chelsea and Liverpool went neck-and-neck with each other, with the clash ending in a nil-nil draw after normal time and extra time.


Before the FA Cup final, both teams also faced off in the Carabao Cup final, with the heated encounter also ending in Liverpool's way, as they won via penalties.

The clash had culminated without a goal after regulation time and extra time, with penalties needed to settle it.

The Reds showed guts and confidence in the face of adversity, with supporters of the club delighted by the showing of the players.

Anyway, finals are oftentimes unpredictable, with the team who wants it the most coming out victors on many occasions.

It sometimes isn't about the favorite tag, but a show of quality and superiority when it matters most.

Enzo Fernandez, Raheem Sterling, Thiago Silva, and Cole Palmer will be hoping to accentuate their brilliance against the Reds on Sunday.

Despite being injury-plagued, Virgil Van Dijk, Darwin Nunez, and Mohamed Salah to mention a few will also be gunning for glory and they will be aiming to replicate the showing they produced during the 2021/22 season.

Team News For Chelsea

Mauricio Pochettino's side have a lengthy list of players unavailable for selection due to injury, and their absence might be felt highly on Sunday, February 25, 2024.

Benoit Badiashile, Carney Chukwuemeka, Lesley Ugochukwu, Reece James, and Wesley Fofana remain long-term injury absentees and as such they will not be available for the Carabao Cup final.

Romeo Lavia is still in his recovery process and is expected to return in March 2024.

Robert Sanchez is also still nursing a knee injury, which has kept him out of action since December 2023.

Chelsea are sweating over the fitness of Thiago Silva, with the Brazilian battling a groin problem.

Marc Cucurella's fitness level is also uncertain, although he is expected to return in the coming days but when he will return remains relatively unknown.

Team News For Liverpool

The Reds will be missing the services of several key players for the game, a few weeks after the team confirmed the injury status of some important players.

Allison Becker, Diogo Jota, and Trent Alexander-Arnold will be key absentees from the game, and it will definitely be a major blow to Liverpool.

Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah are doubtful for the game, but the Reds will be hoping they can shake off minor knocks and feature in the game.

Dominik Szoboszlai is also battling illness and his availability for the game is very much unknown.

Thiago Alcantara, Stefan Bajcetic, Joel Matip, and Curtis Jones remain long-term absentees and will unfortunately not be part of the clash at Wembley.

Academy star Ben Doak is also nursing a major injury and he is expected to be out until April 2024.

Chelsea probable lineup vs Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Petrovic; Gusto, Disasi, Colwill, Chilwell; Caicedo, Fernandez; Palmer, Gallagher, Sterling; Jackson.

Liverpool probable lineup vs Chelsea (4-3-3): Kelleher; Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Endo, Gravenberch; Elliott, Gakpo, Diaz.

Kick-off Time: 04:00 PM
Prediction: Chelsea 1-2 Liverpool
Date: Sunday, February 25, 2024