Jurgen Klopp’s high-flying Liverpool side will have their eyes on the Carabao Cup trophy as they gear up for the Wembley showdown come Sunday against Chelsea.
The Reds have been in top form of late and the weekend’s 6-0 rout of Leeds United on the Anfield turf put out the right signals heading into the forthcoming cup contest in the English capital.
Braces apiece from strike partners Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane coupled with strikes from Joel Matip and Virgil van Dijk laid the ground for the thumping win at home soil for Liverpool who have moved within three points of Manchester City in the standings.
Clinching silverware would be of much importance for Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp with the Merseysiders, despite their plaudit worthy showings in recent years, not having won as many trophies they would have liked.
Also Read – Jamie Carragher slams Jurgen Klopp for downplaying cup competitions at Liverpool
The injury-enforced absence of both Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino for the last outing did not play spoilsport to Liverpool’s chances of claiming the three points with ease and closing the gap on the table toppers Manchester City.
Klopp would be hoping for Jota’s timely return to the fold ahead of Sunday’s clash but Firmino stands sidelined which could potentially signal another start for new signing Luis Diaz alongside the familiar faces of Mane and Salah.
WHEN & WHERE?
𝗧𝗼𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗼𝘄.
🔜 #CarabaoCupFinal 🔜 pic.twitter.com/rXNYOo4TAj
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) February 26, 2022
Date: 27 February 2022
Time: 4:30 PM GMT
Venue: Wembley Stadium
TEAM NEWS
Diogo Jota is facing a race against time to be fit for the Wembley showdown following him sustaining an ankle niggle against Inter Milan in the Champions League Last 16 tie.
Roberto Firmino, meanwhile, will be in line to sit out the game with a groin injury sidelining him from making the squad.
Caoimhin Kelleher will take over the goalkeeping duties from Alisson Becker with the former set to make the XI, according to Jurgen Klopp’s remarks ahead of the final.
Skipper Jordan Henderson is also expected to return to the midfield department with the England international rested last time around against Leeds.
KEY BATTLE
Antonio Rudiger vs Mohamed Salah
The battle of the two former AS Roma stars in Rudiger and Salah ought to be an exciting one with either player of much importance to their side’s chances of clinching the EFL Cup trophy.
Rudiger’s showings at the back for Thomas Tuchel’s men have been solid over the course of this campaign while Salah leads the goalscoring charts in England’s top flight with his stellar run of form in the final third.
MATCH PREDICTION
We expect Liverpool to come out on top despite Sunday’s game tipped to be an evenly contested affair on paper.
Chelsea 1-2 Liverpool
