Chelsea will take on Liverpool in the Carabao Cup remaining at Wembley Stadium on Sunday afternoon, with each groups scuffling with to win the English domestic season’s first piece of silverware.
The game is a rematch of each the Carabao and FA Cup finals of 2022, with Liverpool triumphing both on penalties. So, revenge will be on Chelsea’s minds as they target their first home trophy for six years. Manager Mauricio Pochettino, who took the Blues’ managerial reins final summer, can win his first trophy in England after previous spells in cost of Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur.
The Reds, meanwhile, head into Sunday’s cup ultimate aiming to win the first of a plausible 4 trophies this term. Jurgen Klopp’s facet are four factors clear at the summit of the Premier League and are into the Europa League final 16 and FA Cup fifth round.
With a mouthwatering Carabao Cup closing on the offer, here are the key battles to watch out for.
#Luis Diaz vs Malo Gusto
Malo Gusto has been one of the keys to Chelsea’s enchancment in shape of late with his enterprising runs and protective actions from the right-back position. The French youngster, who has deputised extremely properly in skipper Reece James’ damage absence and played 25 instances so far this season, did a variety on Jeremy Doku in Chelsea’s 1-1 draw with Manchester City remaining weekend.
So, Gusto will be confident heading into the Carabao Cup final. Yet, he will be up for a mighty task in opposition to Liverpool’s in-form winger, Luis Diaz. He scored in the 4-1 win over Luton Town on Wednesday, taking his tally to six goals in the league this season. With his dribbling skills, unpredictable motion and burst of acceleration, the Colombian is a nightmare to deal with for any defender.
It will be intriguing to see if Gusto can hold Diaz under tabs in this encounter.
#Alexis Mac Allister vs Enzo Fernandez
Alexis Mac Allister has blown warm and bloodless at some point of his debut season at Liverpool. He has had to play out of role at times, and there have been moments the place the Argentinean World Cup winner has been uncovered for his lack of pace, stamina and physicality. However, with Wataru Endo returning from the Asian Cup previously this month, the 25-year-old has thrived in an superior midfield function and lately assisted twice in Liverpool’s 4-1 win over Luton.
On Sunday, Mac Allister will line up in opposition to his Argentinean compatriot Enzo Fernandez, who like the Liverpool participant has persisted an up-and-down marketing campaign at Stamford Bridge. It has taken some time for the partnership of Fernandez and Moises Caicedo to get going, particularly due to a glut of injuries in the squad. Now with Caicedo beginning to show his true fee to the side, Fernandez is playing a little bit more freedom in a creative feel and dictating the pace of video games for Chelsea.
All in all, whoever wins this Argentinean midfield fighting could have a mighty say in the result of this game.
#Cole Palmer vs Andy Robertson
Cole Palmer has nearly exploded on account that the second he stepped on the pitch for Chelsea, unleashing all the brain he had wasted on the bench and in training when he was at Manchester City. Bagful of tricks, smart, innovative and a composed finisher in front of goal, the Englishman’s 21-goal contributions throughout all competitions so some distance make him the club’s runaway Player of the Season candidate.
Monitoring his movements in the closing 1/3 is a hard challenge as Palmer is deceptively rapid and skilful. Andy Robertson will have to curb his attacking instincts if he intends to keep the Chelsea attacker below wraps in this encounter.
The Scot came as a replacement in the 68th minute and took just three minutes to assist Diaz for Liverpool’s 0.33 aim towards Luton in midweek. Having come off the bench on Wednesday, Robertson will be clean to begin the Carabao Cup last on Sunday. If the left-back can operate his responsibilities to the requirements expected of him, Palmer ought to conflict to achieve a foothold in the encounter, whilst allowing the rampaging Scot to instigate attacks of his own.
Mauricio Pochettino’s Full Post-Brighton Press Conference:
