Liverpool vs Chelsea: Blues’ Key Threats Ahead of Carabao Cup Final

Liverpool face Chelsea in a huge Carabao Cup Final on Sunday, but the Blues will prove to be a completely different opposition to the side that was beaten comfortably at Anfield last month. That game finished in a 4-1 victory for Liverpool, but Sunday will likely be a much trickier test for Klopp’s men.

A number of key absentees for both sides has made the game even more intriguing, with the starting elevens being highly speculated over recent days. But today we’re going to be discussing Chelsea’s key threats and what to expect on Sunday…

Recent Form

Mauricio Pochettino’s side have put together a run of three impressive results, with all of those coming away from home. Across those three games, Chelsea managed 3-1 victories at Aston Villa and Crystal Palace before securing an impressive point at Manchester City last weekend.

Prior to those three games though, the Blues suffered a 4-1 defeat to Liverpool and a 4-2 defeat at home to Wolves. Their defensive record has certainly been quite worrying recently, with just one clean sheet in their last seven games across all competitions.

In total, that’s three wins, two draws and two defeats in their last seven games.

Chelsea’s Route to the Final

The Blues entered the Carabao Cup in Round 2 and managed to scrape a 2-1 victory over AFC Wimbledon at Stamford Bridge in their first game in this season’s competition. Pochettino’s men even went 1-0 down in that one, but managed to recover with goals from Noni Madueke and Enzo Fernandez.

In Round three, Chelsea would dispatch Brighton & Hove Albion, where Nicolas Jackson’s second-half goal proved to be the difference in a 1-0 victory. They would back it up with another home victory, this time being a 2-0 win over Blackburn Rovers.

The quarter-final stages saw Chelsea knock out Newcastle United in a penalty shootout, after Mykhailo Mudryk scored a 92nd minute winner in normal time.

Finally, Chelsea would bounce back from a 1-0 first leg defeat at Middlesbrough in the semi-finals. The second leg would see the Blues run out comfortable 6-1 winners, after being 4-0 up at half-time.

Key Threats

Raheem Sterling

The former Liverpool winger has rightfully had his fair share of critics over recent seasons, but his crucial goal at Manchester City served as a reminder of the talent he still has in his locker. Sterling has had a number of battles against the likes of Joe Gomez and Andy Robertson over recent years and we could be in for another installment.

The 29-year-old has eight goals and five assists so far this season, which are better numbers than what some neutrals would have you believe.

Cole Palmer

Another former Man City forward in Cole Palmer will be looking to cause Liverpool problems on Sunday. Despite being a shadow of his usual self in the game at Anfield last month, the 21-year-old has undoubtedly been Chelsea’s standout performer so far this season.

The young forward has 12 goals and nine assists to his name and also has the intelligence to cause any defence problems. It wouldn’t surprise me to see Wataru Endo look to nullify the impact of Palmer, depending on his role in Chelsea’s system.

Enzo Fernandez

Following his £120million arrival at Chelsea in January 2023, Enzo Fernandez has also had his fair share of critics. However, the 23-year-old is arguably in the best run of form he has managed since his arrival at Stamford Bridge.

With injuries to the likes of Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai, Chelsea will surely look to win the midfield battle. Therefore, both Fernandez and Moises Caicedo will have a big part to play on Sunday.

Score Prediction

I think this game will be much closer than the meeting between these two sides last month, but still back Liverpool to get the job done and make it ten League Cup triumphs in the club’s history.

It’s a huge opportunity for the likes of Cody Gakpo and Harvey Elliott, whilst Wataru Endo, Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch will be looking to lift their first piece of silverware at the club.

Prediction- Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea