Key Stats Ahead of Carabao Cup Final

Jurgen Klopp’s Farewell Tour and Historical Context

Even if you are unsure I would suggest adding an extra prompt at the end to get a rewrite: Key Stats Ahead of Carabao Cup Final

Jurgen Klopp’s farewell tour kicks off today as Liverpool face Chelsea in the Carabao Cup Final at Wembley. The Reds will be looking to win the League Cup for a tenth time – winning it more times than any other club.

On paper, Liverpool are the favourites going into the game with the Reds currently sitting top of the Premier League table. In contrast, Chelsea find themselves in 10th place under the guidance of Mauricio Pochettino.

However, form goes out the window for a final and anything could happen. But, what do the stats and facts suggest ahead of the big game?

Familiar Foes

The two sides will be more than familiar with facing each other at Wembley by now. Chelsea and Liverpool have met in two previous League Cup finals in 2005 and 2022. Furthermore, the two sides have clashed twice in the FA Cup Final, in 2012 and 2022.

Today’s fixture will be the first to have been played in five different major domestic finals in English football. Both sides have won on two occasions and the opportunity to have bragging rights over their rivals will be an enticing thought for both.

Wembley Specialists

Known as “Anfield South” by many supporters, Wembley has become a second home for Liverpool. Today’s game marks the Reds’ 14th appearance in a League Cup Final. Their record remains quite remarkable so far, with nine wins in the 13 League Cup Finals to date.

In total, Sunday marks Liverpool’s 44th appearance at Wembley. The Reds’ overall record isn’t quite as remarkable as their League Cup one, but still quite impressive with 22 wins across those games.

Penalty Shootout Potential

Since the arrival of Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool, his side have faced Chelsea in three finals. Those being the European Super Cup in 2019 and the Carabao Cup and FA Cup both in 2022.

All three of those finals went the distance, with Liverpool winning all of the subsequent penalty shootouts. Many will remember those finals for Adrian’s heroics, Kepa Arrizabalaga’s hilarious blunder, and Kostas Tsimikas’ winning penalty in the FA Cup.

Even in the 2007 UEFA Champions League Semi-Final, Liverpool beat Chelsea by a penalty shootout.

Out of Liverpool’s nine League Cup Final victories, only two have come within the original 90 minutes. Those wins came against Bolton Wanderers in 1995 and Manchester United in 2003. The other seven all required extra-time, penalty shootouts, or even a replay.

Head-to-Head

Liverpool are unbeaten in their last eight meetings with Chelsea, with their last defeat coming in March 2021. Out of the last six meetings between the two sides, the Reds have managed to keep four clean sheets, which ultimately points out their recent dominance in this fixture.

When it comes to the managers in the dugout, Jurgen Klopp has lost just one of his 13 games against Mauricio Pochettino in his managerial career. The Reds boss has won seven and drew five of the other 12 meetings.

Score Prediction

I think Liverpool will lift the trophy, but for once will do it without the need for a penalty shootout. Chelsea will take the lead despite Liverpool’s dominance, before a second-half goal will take the game to extra-time.

The Reds will score a late extra-time winner to lift the trophy for the tenth time.

Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea