Liverpool vs Chelsea: Carabao Cup Final Predicted XI

Liverpool will look to make it a tenth league cup triumph as they take on Chelsea at Wembley Stadium on Sunday in the Carabao Cup Final. Both teams come into the final with a number of high-profile absentees.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side will be without Wesley Fofana, Reece James, Marc Cucurella, Lesley Ugochukwu, Romeo Lavia, Benoit Badiashile, Carney Chukwuemeka and Thiago Silva.

On the other hand, Liverpool will be without Alisson Becker, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joel Matip, Rhys Williams, Stefan Bajcetic, Curtis Jones, Thiago Alcantara, Ben Doak and Diogo Jota – whilst Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez and Dominik Szoboszlai all remain serious doubts.

But today we’re going to be taking a look at Liverpool’s predicted eleven, as Klopp’s men look to really kick-start this potentially record-breaking campaign.

More Cup-Keeper Heroics?

With Alisson Becker sidelined until the March international break, Caoimhin Kelleher is set to face a difficult run of games. After featuring against Brentford and Luton Town, the Chelsea final could be a really tricky test for the Irishman.

Kelleher was notably the goalkeeper on both occasions when Liverpool beat Chelsea in both the Carabao Cup and FA Cup Final, back in 2022.

At full-back, Joe Gomez’s phenomenal form has rightfully earned him a place in Klopp’s back-line. Gomez will likely be partnered by Andy Robertson on the other flank, with experience being heavily favoured in a final. Conor Bradley will feel unfortunate not to start, but will definitely get a solid amount of minutes from the bench.

Ibou Konate will return to the side to partner Virgil Van Dijk at the heart of the defence, after being rested for Jarrell Quansah in the 4-1 victory over Luton Town on Wednesday.

Verdict: Kelleher, Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson

Bare-Bones in Midfield

With injuries to the likes of Curtis Jones, Dominik Szoboszlai, Thiago Alcantara and Stefan Bajcetic, Klopp’s midfield options are looking pretty slim.

Wataru Endo and Alexis Mac Allister are surely nailed on to start after a run of impressive performances in Klopp’s midfield. I suspect Ryan Gravenberch will be given another huge opportunity to impress in Liverpool’s midfield alongside the two combative midfielders.

Verdict: Endo, Mac Allister, Gravenberch

Mo Salah or No Salah?

A lot of the pre-game focus has been on the fitness levels of Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah. The duo remain serious doubts for this one, but Pep Ljinders revealed on Friday that there is still a chance that they could feature.

Luis Diaz will definitely start on the left-hand-side, whilst Cody Gakpo will play as a central option. Both players put themselves on the scoresheet on Wednesday and have hopefully received a much-needed boost in confidence ahead of this one.

Harvey Elliott will likely be the third attacker and will start on the right-hand-side, with Salah and Nunez surely nailed on to miss out on the starting lineup.

Verdict: Elliott, Gakpo, Diaz

Starting XI: Kelleher, Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson, Endo, Mac Allister, Gravenberch, Elliott, Gakpo, Diaz

Bench: Adrian, Quansah, Bradley, Tsimikas, McConnell, Clark, Szoboszlai, Nunez, Salah