| venue: wembley stadium, london date: Sunday, February 25th kick off: 15:00 GMT |
| coverage: Listen to live commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live and follow live text on the BBC Sport website and app. |
Liverpool go into Sunday's Carabao Cup final looking to win the first of four trophies they could win this season, while Chelsea aim to win their first domestic title in six years.
The match was a rematch of the 2022 Carabao Final and FA Cup Final, both of which Liverpool won on penalties.
The Reds are at the top of the Premier League with a four-point lead. europa league best 16 And the fifth round of the FA Cup.
Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders said: “We are going to give it our all.''
“This is a special game. A special game requires a special performance, so we have to focus on the performance.”
With Mr. Lijnders and his manager Manager Jurgen Klopp is set to leave Anfield this summer. Liverpool fans will be keen to see their side enjoy a triumphant return, having already won six major accolades since Klopp took over as manager in 2015.
“Our philosophy is to bring joy and excitement to our fans,” Reinders added. “First of all, I’m really happy to have at least made it to the finals.”
Defender Virgil van Dijk, who will captain the Reds for the first time in Sunday's Wembley final, said: “We want to make this a special day and win our first trophy of the season.
“The end of the season is probably going to be very emotional for a lot of people, including the manager, but we're not there yet. We shouldn't look too far ahead, we should focus on what's in front of us. “You should aim for it.”
Chelsea's last domestic trophy was the FA Cup in 2018, but they have since won four international honors, the most recent being the Club World Cup in February 2022, two weeks before be. Lost to Liverpool in the 2022 Carabao Cup final.
Mauricio Pochettino, who took charge at Stamford Bridge last summer, could win his first English title after previously managing Southampton and Tottenham.
“For us as a coaching staff, it means a lot to reach the final and challenge a team like Liverpool,” said the Argentine.
“It's a dream for us. We have a chance and we're going to fight. I think the team is ready and I think we'll be very competitive.”
Reds trio face second-half fitness test
Lijnders has confirmed that injured Liverpool will give Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez and Dominik Szoboszlai as much time as possible to recover before Sunday's match due to health concerns. Ta.
But with Curtis Jones joining Alisson Becker, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Diogo Jota on the sideline, there will be some young and fringe players in the headlines at Wembley.
“It's always good in life to accept what you have and try not to look at what you don't have,” Dutch coach Lijnders said. “That’s what has brought us success in the past.
“Johan Cruyff said, 'Every disadvantage has an advantage,' and we are playing young players who have not played before.” [regularly] – It's a tribute to our team and academy.
“For me, success is about growing. We're focused on developing this team, bringing in young players and making them better. And our older players as well. Success is a natural result.”
“Liverpool is a club built for big trophies. Every year we should fight for it and that's what we strive for.”
Chelsea drew 1-1 at home to Liverpool on the opening day of the season, but at Anfield late last month, Benoît Badiashile was adjudged to have fouled Diogo Jota, and Nunez hit the post with a penalty, resulting in a 1-1 draw at Anfield. Lost in 4.
“I think we need to compete and make sure that we are fair in every decision,” Pochettino said.
“That's what I thought when I played at Anfield.” [Liverpool were given] There were too many decisions to make. There wasn't a single decision that was important to us.
“Two penalties were not given. It was a duel, 50/50, always a different color, always red. I want to be treated in a fair way.”
Is the third time the charm for Pochettino? – statistics
- Liverpool's victory over Chelsea in 2022 means they will regain the record for most EFL Cup wins (9).
- Chelsea have won the title five times, last lifting the trophy in 2015 when they beat Tottenham 2-0.
- Current Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino was Tottenham manager that day.
- Pochettino's only final appearance as England manager was in the 2019 Champions League final, where Spurs lost to Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool.
- Of the 13 times Pochettino has faced Klopp, he has only won once – a 4-1 home win against Tottenham in October 2017.
- Chelsea and Liverpool have met in the last two EFL Cup finals (2005 and 2022) and the last two FA Cup finals (2012 and 2022).
- Liverpool won both games in the 2022 final on penalties after the match ended 0-0 after extra time.
