THE FA Cup final is here as Liverpool take on Chelsea in a tantalising showdown at Wembley Stadium.
Jurgen Klopp’s team qualified for the final by defeating Premier League title rivals Man City as they continue to hunt an historic quadruple.
That leaves them facing Chelsea in a repeat of the Carabao Cup final following the Blues’ comfortable 2-0 victory against Crystal Palace.
The fixture is Liverpool’s first FA Cup final in 10 years and Jurgen Klopp’s first ever during his seven year tenure.
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- Kick-off time: 4.45pm GMT
- TV channel: BBC One/ITV
- Free live stream: BBC iPlayer/ITV Hub
- Chelsea XI: Mendy; Chalobah, Thiago Silva, Rudiger; James, Jorginho, Kovacic, Alonso; Mount, Pulisic; Lukaku
- Liverpool XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Thiago, Keita; Salah, Mane, Diaz
Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool
21. Robertson brings the ball out of defence and, when no challenge is forthcoming, decides to keep on goal.
The Scot makes it within 25 yards of the Chelsea goal before forced into a decision. Leaning back, the left-back fires over the crossbar from long range.
Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool
20. Mendy is called into action again, this time needed to rush off his line to beat compatriot Mane to the ball.
The Chelsea goalkeeper does as required, but takes a whack for his trouble and is now holding his foot.
Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool
18. Thiago can’t believe the referee’s decision as he is penalised for a sliding challenge on Kovacic 30 yards from goal.
Replays suggest that the Liverpool midfielder should just be grateful not to receive a yellow card for what is actually a cynical foul.
Chelsea pack the penalty box, and then Alonso goes straight for goal from the free-kick. It’s straight at Alisson.
Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool
16. Chelsea finally make a move into the Liverpool half, and show they can trouble the Reds.
James’ chipped centre falls for Lukaku, but a handball from the striker is penalised by Craig Pawson a split-second before Pulisic fires the lay off wide.
Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool
14. Diaz bursts into the space between James and Chalobah for the fifth time in the opening quarter of an hour, and looks set to reach Henderson’s pass.
Thankfully for Chelsea, this time the offside flag comes to their rescue.
Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool
12. Diaz is running riot on that side against Chalobah.
Thiago slips the former Benfica forward in this time, who again lines up a strike on goal.
Both Diaz’s shot, and Alexander-Arnold’s follow-up are blocked by some desperate Chelsea defending.
Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool
11. Both Sarr and Azpilicueta are warming up for Chelsea, but it looks as though Thiago Silva is going to stay on – for now.
Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool
10. In the midst of that scramble, Thiago Silva has hurt himself and looks in real discomfort.
His immediate response was to slam the turf in a combination of pain and frustration, and that’s never a good sign.
Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool
8. And again!
A wonderful pass from Alexander-Arnold sends Diaz through, and this time the forward goes for goal himself.
His shot is blocked by the feet of Mendy, and then scooped away by Thiago Silva.
The loose ball is then smothered away from the lurking Salah, only for Keita to slam wide.
Chelsea are on the ropes here.
Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool
7. Liverpool threaten again with Diaz on the left, who is fed through on goal by Keita.
The Colombian gets to the byline, and squeezes in a low cross that somehow evades both Mane and Salah.
Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool
6. Ouch! Salah cuts inside from the right wing, and unleashes a thunderous strike.
It’s going nowhere near the goal, but does slam straight into the face of nearby Jorginho, knocking the Chelsea man clean off his feet.
A quick spell of treatment later, and the Italian is up again and ready to continue.
Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool
4. The first chance of the game!
Diaz makes a yard of space for himself inside the area, and fires a left-footed shot across goal.
It’s off target but loops up and only just evades the oncoming Thiago at the far post.
Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool
3. An early touch for Mendy in the Chelsea goal, who takes his time and then picks out James a clearance.
Co-incidentally, when the teams and substitutes were read out before kick-off, the Liverpool supporters booed each of the Chelsea squad bar one.
The ‘lucky’ person? Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool
2. The immediate thing to observe is that it looks really hot out there.
A third of the Wembley pitch is under the shadow of the stadium, but the end that Liverpool are attacking is drenched in sunlight.
In short, it is proper FA Cup final weather.
Kick-off – Chelsea v Liverpool
1. Craig Pawson blows his whistle and we’re away!
Chelsea, all in yellow this afternoon, get the FA Cup final going with kick-off from Lukaku.
“Liverpool in the red, naturally,” confirms Guy Mowbray.
Here come the two teams!
A roar goes up around Wembley as the two sets of players emerge from the tunnel, and stride across the pitch to take their place for the pre-match formalities.
This year they include a meet-and-greet with President-Designate Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, and the national anthem sung by RAYE.
The two squads then come together with the Ukrainian flag to show solidarity with those suffering due to the ongoing conflict with Russia.
The pitch is eventually cleared of all the cup final hullaballoo. Now it’s time for the football.
The countdown to kick-off
It’s almost time for the action, and the atmosphere is hotting up.
Tuchel grateful for final challenge
Chelsea have lost the last two FA Cup finals, the last of which was to Leicester in Thomas Tuchel’s first season at the club.
Like his Liverpool counterpart, the Blues boss is fully aware of the competition’s tradition, and hopes to end a troublesome season in style by taking the trophy back to Stamford Bridge.
To be here for a final means a lot to me. This is such a prestigious and traditional competition to be part of it, and to have the chance to play in two finals in short notice. It means much to me.”
We are very grateful to arrive here after our circumstances. It will be a tough match.
Thomas Tuchel
Klopp desperate for FA Cup success
Jurgen Klopp has been a sensation since arriving in England to take charge of Liverpool, but the FA Cup remains a trophy that has evaded the German’s grasp.
Incredibly, the Anfield club had not made it beyond the fifth round under his management until this season.
However, the Reds boss is hoping to put that record right this afternoon, and is well aware of the competition’s history and tradition.
To avoid any doubt, I absolutely love this competition. I recognise its importance in our club’s own history and how much it means to our supporters.
I was blessed to have great experiences back in Germany with our own version, but I am fully aware of the tradition, sentiment and regard English football holds for the FA Cup.
To be honest, it does have a special place in the hearts of supporters even beyond these shores. Up until this season, Liverpool’s record in the tournament since my arrival has not been a reason for big parties I would admit.
Jurgen Klopp
Old man for big occasion
Chelsea’s one change from the 3-0 win at Leeds sees Thiago Silva recalled to Thomas Tuchel’s back three.
In taking his place at kick-off at 37 years and 234 days old, the Brazilian will become the oldest outfield player since 38-year-old Stanley Matthews in the 1953 final for Blackpool.
Perhaps this afternoon will come to be known as the Thiago Silva Final.
Havertz hamstring ends final hopes
Kai Havertz has made a habit of starring for Chelsea in cup finals, but he’ll have no part to play this afternoon.
The German was a surprise absentee from the Blues matchday squad when the teams were announced half hour ago.
However, it has since been revealed that the forward is struggling with a hamstring problem, having failed a fitness test this morning.
Captain Jordan leads the way
By returning to Jurgen Klopp’s starting XI this afternoon, Jordan Henderson enters illustrious company by becoming only the third Liverpool player to captain the club in the final of the League Cup, FA Cup and European Cup.
The 31-year-old joins Steven Gerrard and Emlyn Hughes in achieving an inspirational treble.
Kante and Azpilicueta among Chelsea subs
1 Kepa, 7 Kante, 11 Werner, 12 Loftus-Cheek, 17 Saul, 18 Barkley, 22 Ziyech, 28 Azpilicueta, 31 Sarr
Lukaku leads line for Blues
It’s just the one change for Chelsea following midweek success at Leeds – but it’s not the one that most were expecting.
And that’s because Mateo Kovacic has completed a sensational return to fitness after falling victim to that wild Dan James challenge at Elland Road.
The Croatian takes his place in midfield, and will play alongside skipper Jorginho.
Instead, it’s the want-away Andreas Christensen that loses his place, making way in the back three for Thiago Silva.
However, it’s the absence of Kai Havertz from the matchday squad completely that has left Blues fans scratching their social media heads.
Romelu Lukaku keeps his place up front after two goals in two games, and heads a 3-4-2-1 formation for Thomas Tuchel.
16 Mendy; 14 Chalobah, 6 Thiago Silva, 3 Rudiger; 24 James, 5 Jorginho, 8 Kovacic, 3 Alonso; 19 Mount, 10 Pulisic; 9 Lukaku
On the Reds substitutes bench
62 Kelleher, 7 Milner, 9 Firmino, 12 Gomez, 17 Jones, 20 Jota, 21 Tsimikas, 27 Origi, 32 Matip
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
