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EFL Cup | Final
Feb 27, 2022 at 4.30pm UK
Wembley Stadium
LL

Chelsea
0 - 0
Liverpool

Liverpool win 11-10 on penalties

Kovacic (90'), Kante (99'), Havertz (105+2')
FT

Preview: Chelsea vs. Liverpool - prediction, team news, lineups

:Headline: Preview: Chelsea vs. Liverpool - prediction, team news, lineups:
Sports Mole previews Sunday's EFL Cup clash between Chelsea and Liverpool, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Sports Mole

Potentially only 90 minutes away from winning a record-breaking ninth EFL Cup crown, Liverpool journey south to renew hostilities with Chelsea in the EFL Cup final at Wembley on Sunday.

The Reds overcame Arsenal over two legs in the semi-final to book their Wembley tickets, while Thomas Tuchel's side ended Tottenham Hotspur's hopes of glory in the final four.


Match preview

A sixth EFL Cup crown does not have quite as nice a ring to it as European champions or world champions, but for Chelsea, a priceless piece of mid-season silverware could very well act as the catalyst for a haul of future success in the spring months.

With the Premier League title slipping further and further away from Thomas Tuchel's men, a domestic and continental treble is still on the cards, and a six-game winning run in all tournaments sets the Blues up nicely for a February Wembley showdown.

Chelsea's defensive solidity came to the fore as they sunk former manager Antonio Conte and his Tottenham side 3-0 over two legs in the semi-finals, and they were forced to rely on similar staunch rearguard action to overcome Lille 2-0 in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 battle in midweek.

Furthermore, Chelsea have only shipped two goals in their six-game winning run amid uncertainty surrounding the futures of several of their defenders, all of whom have contributed to the Blues keeping three successive EFL Cup clean sheets on their route to Wembley.

The European champions' ninth EFL Cup final is made all the more impressive given that they have only faced Premier League opposition in the tournament this season, but their last appearance in the showpiece event ended in defeat to Manchester City in 2019, and Liverpool are nothing if not ruthless.

A six-game winning streak is nothing to be sniffed at by any means, but Jurgen Klopp's rampant Liverpool had a different number six in mind when Leeds United paid a visit to the Anfield fortress, as Marcelo Bielsa's side capitulated on the Merseyside turf.

Mohamed Salah's brace, Sadio Mane's double, Joel Matip's mazy run and finish and Virgil van Dijk's bullet header moved Liverpool to within touching distance of Premier League leaders Manchester City, and hopes of an unprecedented quadruple are still very much alive.

Morale was not at its maximum when the Reds were held to a goalless draw by Arsenal's 10 men in the first leg of their semi-final, but Diogo Jota inspired his side to victory at the Emirates, and Liverpool will now contest their record-extending 13th EFL Cup final.

A spate of Manchester City dominance means that the two giants both sit at the top of the charts on eight EFL Cup wins apiece, but it has been a decade since Liverpool last lifted the domestic crown - defeating Cardiff City on penalties in the 2011-12 final.

Early exits have bedevilled Klopp's crop since then - although the German manager is not exactly renowned for his undying love for the competition - but having won each of their last nine in all tournaments, Liverpool will not turn their nose up to a record-breaking trophy.

Both Premier League fixtures between Chelsea and Liverpool this term ended with the spoils shared, and the two sides have met once before in the EFL Cup final, where Didier Drogba and Mateja Kezman contributed to a 3-2 Chelsea win after extra time in the 2004-05 edition.

Chelsea EFL Cup form:
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • W

Chelsea form (all competitions):
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • W

Liverpool EFL Cup form:
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • D
  • W

Liverpool form (all competitions):
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • W

Team News

Mason Mount was fit enough for a place on the bench against Lille in a major fitness boost to Chelsea, especially seeing as Hakim Ziyech was forced off with an Achilles issue and is considered slightly doubtful.

Mateo Kovacic was also forced off with a muscular problem in the Champions League win, although Tuchel is hopeful that both he and Ziyech can be involved in some capacity on Sunday, and the same can be said for Callum Hudson-Odoi.

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, but it would be a surprise to see him start.

Tuchel has big calls to make in all areas of the pitch, but Kepa Arrizabalaga will be desperate to get the nod in goal, while Kai Havertz could once again lead the line ahead of Romelu Lukaku.

As for Liverpool, Diogo Jota is battling to be fit for the final after sustaining an ankle injury against Inter Milan in the Champions League, but Roberto Firmino will be absent.

Klopp has no other issues to contend with barring his two centre-forwards, and with Jota surely only being considered for a bench role, Mane and Salah ought to join Luis Diaz in the final third again.

The Reds boss has also confirmed that Caoimhin Kelleher will act as the last line of defence at Wembley, where Jordan Henderson should return to an otherwise settled Liverpool XI.

Chelsea possible starting lineup:
Kepa; Christensen, Silva, Rudiger; Azpilicueta, Jorginho, Kante, Alonso; Mount, Pulisic; Havertz

Liverpool possible starting lineup:
Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho, Thiago; Salah, Mane, Diaz


We say: Chelsea 1-2 Liverpool

Even without the presence of Jota or Firmino in the number nine position, Liverpool's potent attackers are simply too good to ignore, with Salah in the form of his life, Diaz making a huge early impression and Africa Cup of Nations champion Mane knowing what it takes to hold his nerve on the big occasion.

Chelsea have defied the odds before, but even their sturdy backline will have a hard time trying to quell Klopp's well-oiled machine, and we can only envisage the Reds getting their hands on the cup for the ninth time.



Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 2.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 2.5:data




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Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014
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