CHELSEA will be out to seek revenge for their 2022 heartbreak as they take on Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final – and they’ll be confident after seeing Mo Salah is OUT of the squad.
Jurgen Klopp’s Reds came out on top in the most recent Wembley showpiece between these two English giants
But with Liverpool’s injuries and Chelsea finding a bit of form, Mauricio Pochettino’s men will feel as if this is their year.
- Kick-off time: 3pm GMT
- Live stream: NOW TV
- TV channel: Sky Sports Main Event / Sky Sports Football
- Chelsea starting XI: Petrovic, Gusto, Colwill, Disasi, Chilwell, Enzo, Gallagher, Caicedo, Palmer, Sterling, Jackson
- Liverpool starting XI: Kelleher; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Endo, Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Elliott, Gakpo, Diaz
- Explainer: Why is the game kicking off at 3pm?
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Word from the ground
SunSport’s Tom Sheen is at Wembley covering the Carabao Cup Final between Chelsea and Liverpool.
Here’s what Tom think of the dramatic first half:
SunSport’s Tom Sheen’s half-time report from Carabao Cup final as Chelsea robbed by VARLiverpool vs Chelsea stats
Liverpool dominated 54 per cent of possession in the Carabao Cup Final.
The Reds registered a total of eight shots, three of which were on target.
The Blues, on the other hand, produced three shots, two of which were on target,
More below:
HT: Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea
Liverpool and Chelsea are goalless at half-time in the Carabao Cup Final at Wembley.
However, both sets of teams feel they have reason to protest the outcome of the first half.
The Reds’ massive injury list grew even bigger as Ryan Gravenberch was stretchered off with an ankle injury after Moises Caicedo appeared to have stepped and twisted the Dutchman’s foot.
The Blues, on the other hand, were denied an opener after Raheem Sterling hit the back of the net.
However, the referee and VAR deemed Nicolas Jackson was offside in the build-up down the right where he met a ball by Conor Gallagher in midfield before the Senegal international found Sterling at the far post.
Replays show it was a very close call and if Jackson was offside then it was down to mere millimetres.
Credit: Getty
HT: Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea
Peep!
That’s half-time at Wembley!!!
45+2 Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea
Yellow card
Chelsea captain Chilwell and Liverpool youngster Bradley are booked after getting embroiled in a scuffle.
The 20-year-old lunged on the England international rather carelessly down the left and the latter didn’t take kindly to it.
That led to a pushing contest that got both sets of players involved until the ref separated the,
45 Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea
Six minutes of added time to go at Wembley!
Makes sense after Gravenberch’s injury and Sterling’s disallowed goal which led to a VAR check…
Credit: Reuters Credit: Reuters 45 Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea
Chance!
Liverpool star Diaz moves the ball forward and tries to find a team-mate at the far post.
Bradley ultimately gets it and tries a shot that is blocked by Chelsea’s defenders!
42 Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea
Gusto loses the ball again down the right because of his heavy touch and that leads to another cheap throw-in.
Some of Liverpool’s biggest chances started out down the right-back’s flank.
40 Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea
What a chance!
Liverpool almost break the deadlock just before half-time!
Disasi is dispossessed – another defensive gaffe from Chelsea – and that leads to a crisp cross from Robertson.
The Sot finds Gakpo at the far post and his header hits Petrovic’s post!
40 Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea
We are closing in on half-time at Wembley.
An exciting first half despite the goalless draw with a couple of major talking points.
38 Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea
Chelsea’s disallowed goal has fuelled Pochettino’s side as they look far more dangerous on attack.
Sterling, Gallagher and Palmer are causing all sorts of problems.
This might also be down to Gravenberch’s withdrawal as well as Liverpool’s growing injury crisis…
35 Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea
Chelsea’s goal will be the talk of the town regardless of how the Carabao Cup Final goes.
If Jackson was offside in the build-up down the right flank then he must have been mere millimetres.
32 Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea
Chelsea have a goal chalked off for offside as Gallagher delivers a ball forward for Jackson who the ref deemed was off.
The Senegal international then found Sterling on his left and the winger beat Kelleher.
A VAR check agrees with the ref, but this looks like an extremely close call with many claiming Jackson was on…
32 Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea
No Goal!
Sterling’s goal chalked off for offside!!!
30 Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea
Liverpool Klopp retains his signature 4-3-3 formation after Gravenberch was stretchered out.
Badley moves up to attack in the right wing with Elliott moving back to midfield while Gomez plays at right-back.
Credit: AFP
28 Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea
Substitution
Gravenberch can’t continue and is stretchered off, thus Liverpool boss Klopp is forced to make the first substitution of the Carabao Cup Final.
Gomez comes on for the midfielder.
Credit: Getty 26 Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea
Liverpool boss Klopp is furious as replays show Caicedo stepped on Gravenberch’s ankle during their challenge.
The Reds are calling for a red card as the stretcher comes out for the Netherlands international.
The Chelsea ace’s foot twisted his fellow midfielder’s ankle badly.
Gomez getting ready to come on.
25 Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea
Liverpool ace Gravenberch is on the ground with immense pain after hurting his ankle and is receiving treatment.
The midfielder got hurt during a challenge with Caicedo and the Reds’ manager Klopp is watching with concern amid his ongoing injury crisis.
23 Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea
Liverpool enjoyed a better start at the final but are very lucky not to be trailing.
Much to thank Kelleher and Endo for with their life-saving blocks against Palmer and Jackson respectively.
21 Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea
What a chance!
How are Chelsea not leading?!
Palmer finds himself right in front of Kelleher but the Liverpool keeper denies the England international’s shot with one arm.
But Jackson gets the rebound but his shot is blocked by Endo’s critical tackle.
20 Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea
Chelsea ace Gusto is struggling on the right flank as his heavy touches have led to him losing the ball and giving away a free-throw twice.
A turbulent start for the Blues’ backline.
18 Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea
Chelsea’s defenders are making numerous mistakes at the back which allows Liverpool to dispossess them.
But a very good first half by Petrovic so far with some critical saves.
15 Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea
What a chance!
And what a gaffe by Disasi who trips at the back and is dispossessed by Gakpo.
The winger passes to Diaz who delivers a powerful shot but Petrovic falls to his right and denies the Colombia international.
The Chelsea goalkeeper spared Disasi’s blushes big time there!
14 Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea
Chance
Liverpool respond immediately to Gusto’s effort as Mac Allister delivers a powerful shot that is palmed away by Petrovic.
13 Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea
Chance
Chelsea register their first chance of the match as Chilwell’s free-kick is headed away.
But Gusto is waiting on the edge of the box and delivers a volley that lacks power and ends up in Kelleher’s safe hands.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
