Chelsea vs Liverpool: Two English titans do battle in Carabao Cup final

Topics: TV Schedules, TV Listings, Chelsea, Liverpool, EFL Cup, Carabao Cup

The two English giants will renew acquaintances once again as they lock horns in Sunday's Carabao Cup final.

Preview: Chelsea vs Liverpool

Two highly successful German tacticians will go head to head when Chelsea and Liverpool lock horns in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday. Both Thomas Tuchel and Jurgen Klopp have won the Champions League, with Tuchel winning it in 2021 and Klopp clinching the coveted prize in 2019. In addition, both managers share some additional common links, including managing Mainz and Borussia Dortmund before ultimately arriving in the Premier League.

Chelsea come into this tie presently sitting in third spot in the Premier League. Although the Blues do have a game in hand, successfully challenging Manchester City and Liverpool for the Premier League title looks to be a foregone conclusion. That being said, the Blues have already won this year's Club World Cup, plus are in contention to successfully defend their Champions League title after having one foot into the quarter-finals following their first leg 2-0 defeat of Lille. Then, of course, is the upcoming Carabao Cup, which would represent the second piece of silverware won by Tuchel since the start of 2022, but naturally, the Blues will face a stern test when they meet up with Liverpool at Wembley.

Indeed, the Reds are very much in contention for not just the League Cup, but also the FA Cup, the Champions League, and the Premier League. Should all the ducks be in a row, Klopp would become the first manager to win a quadruple in English football history. Liverpool are back in the Carabao Cup final for the first time in six years thanks to a double by Diogo Jota, with the Portuguese international becoming the hero on the night as his brace was enough to dispatch Arsenal following a frustrating scoreless draw in the first leg.

Chelsea, meanwhile, booked their spot here by beating fellow London giants Tottenham 3-0 on aggregate in what turned out to be a nightmare reunion for Antonio Conte against his former club. While the Blues have been in solid form overall, it pales in comparison to the blistering performances that Liverpool have been putting on display since the start of 2022. Klopp's squad have not only won their last five Premier League fixtures - the only team in the top flight to have done this - but also are unbeaten in their last 11 across all comps, with ten wins from that run.

As such, it will certainly be a very interesting match when these two familiar sides meet once again on Sunday. This will be the third meeting between Chelsea and Liverpool this term; both prior encounters have resulted in each side cancelling the other out. Of course, a draw will not suffice on Sunday, as there has to be one out and out winner. Will it be Tuchel or Klopp to clinch the coveted prize? Well, all of us will surely know the answer after 90, or perhaps more minutes of what should be an entertaining football clash at the iconic Wembley Stadium.

Team news: Chelsea vs Liverpool

Chelsea: Both Mateo Kovacic and Hakim Ziyech had to be subbed off injured during the win over Lille, but reports indicate that both have resumed training and could feature in some capacity off the bench. In addition, English youngster Mason Mount should also be fit to feature from the bench after being part of the squad that took on Lille recently. Reece James recently returned to training, but it remains to be seen if he features at all, while Callum Hudson-Odoi could also be recalled to the squad. All in all, the only definite absentee at this point remains Ben Chilwell, who's out for the rest of the season following surgery.

Liverpool: Diogo Jota, the player whose brace got Liverpool to this juncture, is a doubt after sustaining an ankle injury during Liverpool's win over Inter Milan. Meanwhile, Roberto Firmino remains a definite absentee, but other than that Klopp will have everyone of note available.

Match facts: Chelsea vs Liverpool

This will be the ninth League Cup tie featuring Chelsea and Liverpool
So far, the Blues have won four of the past seven meetings
It will also be the third major final meeting between the Blues and the Reds (not including Super Cups and Community Shields), and Chelsea have won the prior two - (2005 League Cup and 2012 FA Cup)
Chelsea are the first team in English football history to feature in six consecutive domestic cup finals
However, they've finished as runners up in their last three domestic cup finals
Liverpool are winless in their last five games at Wembley (excluding Premier League ties)
The Reds have also lost their last two domestic final cup appearances, and will be hoping to avoid losing a third for the first time in club history
American star Christian Pulisic could make his 100th appearance for the club this Sunday