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Liverpool will take on Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final on the 27th of Februrary, with the Reds looking to win the ninth league cup in the club's history. This shall also be their first domestic final since losing to Manchester City in 2016. So there will be a lot of eyes on how Jurgen Klopp approaches the game.
Liverpool have some injury issues going into the Carabao Cup final
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The Anfield outfit have done really well in the Carabao Cup this season but a couple of their main stars may have to miss out due to injury. Roberto Firmino is a confirmed absentee due to the muscle issue he suffered against Inter Milan in the Champions League Round of 16 tie.
Diogo Jota is racing against time to be available for the final, following a knock on his ankle against Nerazzuri. Barring the duo, everybody is expected to make the squad. However, Klopp shall have to make some firm decisions for his starting line-up if Liverpool are to win the competition.
On that note, let's take a look at how Liverpool could line-up against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday.
Goalkeeper - Caoimhin Kelleher
Caoimhin Kelleher has been excellent for Liverpool in the cup competitions this season. The shot-stopper has started for the Reds in the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup and has shown few weaknesses in his game.
Kelleher is of good height, terrific build and is a budding goalkeeper learning his trade under Alisson this season. He was the main man for the Merseyside club in the League Cup quarter-final against Leicester City as he performed brilliantly in the penalty shoot-out. The Irishman was just as resolute against Arsenal in the semi-final.
So it is no surprise that Klopp has already confirmed that the 23-year-old will be starting the game. The youngster will be hoping to do a better job than his last meeting with Chelsea when he conceded two goals, albeit he was not at fault for either.
Right-back - Trent Alexander-Arnold
Trent Alexander-Arnold has continued to perform at the very top level for Liverpool this season. Although the right-back is defensively guilty at times, his attacking output has been sublime.
The Englishman is a wonderful crosser of the ball and is the chief creator of the Klopp-led side. He already has 16 assists in 30 appearances across all competitions this season, which is quite a feat for any full-back. Moreover, Alexander-Arnold has always shown up in big games for his club and Sunday is unlikely to be any different.
He will look to influence the game against Chelsea through his set-pieces and dynamic play.
Centre-back - Virgil van Dijk
Virgil van Dijk is the leader at the back for the Reds and has often been the club's savior this season. The Dutchman is one of the first names on the team sheet and will be looking forward to the Carabao Cup final.
Few can get past the 30-year-old star, and Klopp will be counting on this ability of the centre-back to deny Chelsea from scoring at the weekend. Moreover, Van Dijk's range of passing and ability to play 40-yard passes helps the Anfield club turn defense into attack in the blink of an eye.
Van Dijk is likely to be the hero for his club on Sunday if they do wish to lift the Carabao Cup by the end of the game.
Centre-back - Joel Matip
Joel Matip may not be the fastest defender in England but has the technical nous to be one of the best in the business. The centre-back has cemented a starting spot in the side this season through his consistent performances.
Although Ibrahima Konate has been used by Klopp in cup competitions, Matip might be the first-choice on Sunday due to his experience in the big games. The Cameroonian star is comfortable in possession and is capable of outmuscling the best attackers in the business.
It is also important to understand that the centre-back was impressive against Chelsea in the early-season draw between the two clubs.
The Carabao Cup is a trophy Klopp is yet to lift and is hence likely to use the most experienced bunch of players against Chelsea on Sunday.
Left-back - Andrew Robertson
Andrew Robertson has come into some good form in recent weeks and would be poised to start in the Carabao Cup final at the weekend.
Like Alexander-Arnold, the Scot is also a threat on the wings and can overlap or even hold his run to find the perfect cross in the box. But what sets the 27-year-old apart is his defensive diligience and ability to cope with the trickiest wingers in the game.
His energy and dynamism is a massive help in the big games, something he will be looking to bring to the Carabao Cup final against Chelsea.
Central defensive midfielder - Fabinho
Fabinho has arguably been the best central defensive midfielder in the Premier League this season. The Brazilian is quite a handful in the center of the pitch and is sure to be looking forward to the Carabao Cup final.
The 28-year-old ace is capable of dictating play and breaking out opposition attacks constantly. Often dropping between the two centre-backs, Fabinho has the ability to pick out crucial passes from deep, thereby catching the opponent off-guard. But he has shown in the past couple of months that he is also a goal-threat from set-pieces, especially corners.
Hence, the South American star will surely start against the Blues at the weekend.
Central midfielder - Jordan Henderson
Jordan Henderson has been one of the main reasons behind Klopp's success at Liverpool over the last five years. The club captain has incredible match tempremancy and often shows up against the big teams.
The Carabao Cup final is certainly a big occasion and the Englishman will be rising to the occasion again. While Henderson is not an incredible creator or goal-scorer, his role in the build-up play is very underrated.
He often hits diagonol passes at wingers or full-backs or finds one of his teammates on the run in the penalty box. His pin-point precision in passing has proved to be a blessing for his side in recent years. But his defensive abilities are just as important as he often mops up behind Alexander-Arnold, especially when the right-back ventures forward.
Henderson has led Liverpool to four trophies under Klopp and will be looking to make it five by winning the Carabao Cup soon.
Central midfielder - Thiago Alcantara
Thiago Alcantara has come into his own at Liverpool this season. The former Bayern Munich star had a start-stop campaign last year but has produced scintillating form this term.
The Spaniard plays a progressive role alongside Fabinho and Henderson, as he is capable of hitting marvelous long-range passes. However, one aspect Thiago has developed this season is the art of tactical fouls, thereby disrupting the opponent's attacks. He also has tons of experience playing in cup finals and will be key in the Carabao Cup tie on Sunday.
Few can orchestrate the build-up play like Thiago and he will need to show up at the weekend if he hopes of winning his first trophy with Liverpool.
Left-winger - Sadio Mane
Sadio Mane has been banging in the goals for fun yet again this season and the winger will look to do the same on Sunday against Chelsea.
The Blues have one of the best defenses across Europe this term but Mane has already found the back of the net once against them. The Senegalese is adept at capitalizing on the mistakes of the opponent, not to mention the work-rate he employs in his defensive responsibilities. He is a constant threat to any backline and has scored in two out of the four cup finals he has reached with Liverpool.
Mane recently won the AFCON trophy with Senegal and will now be aiming to pick up some silverware in domestic football this year.
Right-winger - Mohamed Salah
Mohamed Salah has been nothing short of phenomenal this season and few will argue a case against him being the best footballer in Europe this term.
The Egyptian may have lost the AFCON this month but is sure to be gearing up to win the Carabao Cup with Liverpool. He is the talisman for the Anfield outfit, and his 27 goals and 10 assists 31 appearances across all competitions is evidence of the same.
While he is yet to feature in the Carabao Cup this season, Klopp will be hoping his star-studded forward can score at free will as he often does.
Salah has been one of the best goal-scorers in world football in recent years but has won a few trophies as compared to other greats of the game. He could help Liverpool win the treble this season and winning the Carabao Cup would be a great start to that journey.
Striker - Luis Diaz
Luis Diaz was not a player many expected to be at Anfield mid-way through the campaign but he is already proving why the Reds splashed the cash in January.
The Colombian international was incredible for FC Porto in the first half of the season and has taken no time to adapt to English football since his move. He is versatile, courtesy of which he can play on either wing or through the center as well. With Roberto Firmino out and Diogo Jota likely to occupy a place on the bench, the emphasis will be on Diaz to make it work for Liverpool in the striker role.
Diaz has a chance of winning silverware in less than a month of completing his move to Merseyside. Moreover, with the Reds not having won the League Cup for a decade now, the Colombian ace could become a fan favorite if he delivers the Carabao Cup on Sunday.
