The first preview of the 2023/24 season is already visible, with the Carabao Cup final less than two weeks away. While it’s traditionally the least-maintained trophy, it’s still a trophy, and it’s become even more important to Liverpool this year.
Not only will United be looking to extend their league record to 10 League Cup wins, but victory would also mark the end of the run for Jurgen Klopp’s men as they chase an unprecedented fourth straight defeat this season.
But regardless of what happens in the Premier League, FA Cup or Europa League, the Carabao Cup is a huge opportunity to make history for the club, create lifelong memories for the fans and showcase Klopp’s glory as the final approaches week of the competition.
The manager’s era was brilliant at Anfield. Liverpool are favorites for the meeting at Wembley, while Chelsea have struggled to find their feet in terms of consistency this season.
United have won the last two finals against the Blues, beating Mauricio Pochettino’s side 4-1 last month. However, both meetings (FA Cup 2022 and Carabao Cup) ended in penalties and with Liverpool likely to be without key figures this time around, this final is unlikely to be as easy as Premier League fixture in January.
Here’s how Liverpool can reach the Carabao Cup final on February 25. Klopp has revealed he plans to rely on Caoimhin Kelleher against Chelsea rather than Alisson Becker as Ireland prepare for their second Carabao Cup final.
After the semi-final win over Fulham, the manager told reporters: “Caoim is the best goalkeeper and when Alli is not playing well, I want to give him the chance to play. “I mentioned this game to Ali two years ago before the season started. That’s how it works.”
Despite that decision, Klopp’s biggest defensive problem was at right-back, with Trent Alexander-Arnold missing the final with a knee injury. Conor Bradley, 20, is likely to be a substitute after impressing earlier in the year, including a man-of-the-match performance against Chelsea in January.
Joe Gomez is another option, but the youngster looks to have the potential to turn heads. Virgil van Dijk will lead the team in his first final as captain and Ibrahima Konate should pair him once he is fully fit. Andy Robertson, Kostas Tsimikas and Gomez are Klopp’s options on the left, but the Scot is likely to start.
After Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool’s biggest absence ahead of the trip to Wembley could be Dominic Szoboszlai, whose injury recovery will last beyond February 25. The tireless Hungarian will be missed by the Reds in the engine room and will likely decide who gets the right to replace him in the upcoming games against Brentford and Luton.
Harvey Elliott is ideal at right wing-back after impressing off the bench against Burnley, but Ryan Gravenbirch and Alexis McAllister are also options. However, the Argentine is likely to be deployed in the heart of midfield, a role he has become accustomed to this season (he also played that role in the 4-1 win over Chelsea last month).
Curtis Jones currently fills the left wing of the back three and is the Reds’ second top scorer in the Carabao Cup this season with three goals. As with the midfield, Liverpool (fitness permitting) should have the option of fielding their front line against Chelsea.
Mohamed Salah’s return comes at the right time and the Egyptian should have plenty of time for the final after returning from injury. If Salah is fit, the remaining positions will be two out of four, with two players heading home disappointed. Perhaps the most inconvenient is the coordinating bag.
The Dutchman has been Liverpool’s top scorer in the Carabao Cup this season with four goals, but it remains to be seen whether Klopp will commit to him ahead of the final.
Darwin Nunes scored a record four goals and finished the night with an assist the last time Liverpool played Chelsea. His frenetic energy and ability to continuously create chances gives him the edge to start big games like these.
Luis Diaz, who has two goals and an assist in six games against the Blues, could be chosen as a traditional left-back, while Diogo Jota and Gakpo could be chosen as impact options from the bench.
