An unending rivalry
There are key things to note ahead of the 2024 Carabao Cup Final between Liverpool FC and Chelsea FC.
For the third time in three seasons, both clubs will battle again at Wembley, with Jurgen Klopp‘s side prevailing on penalties twice in 2022. Matches between the Reds and Blues are often tight, but here are a few things you need to know ahead of Sunday’s League Cup final.
One Last Hurdle For Klopp
There was a period when Liverpool visibly felt incapable of getting to Wembley under Klopp, barring a League Cup final loss to Man City in 2016.
In 2021/22, however, the Reds won the competition and the FA Cup. This weekend represents another wonderful chance to seal another trophy.
Klopp will be hoping to end his Liverpool tenure in the most legendary manner possible, with a quadruple still possible, and the first hurdle is now almost here.
Chelsea Unpredictable But Improving
It feels like a lifetime ago since Liverpool travelled to Chelsea for a 1-1 draw on the opening weekend of the Premier League season – since then, both teams have gone in very different directions.
While the Reds top the league table and aim to win all four trophies, the Blues are languishing in 10th place, with the jury still out on Mauricio Pochettino.
That being said, there have been signs of improvement in recent weeks, not least in the 1-1 draw at Man City last Saturday, and they have individuals who can hurt Liverpool.
Chelsea will surely raise their game in comparison to their limp showing at Anfield last month, losing 4-1, and silverware would suddenly give their season a different complexion.
Unfortunately, Liverpool will have to make do without Alisson, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Diogo Jota until after next month’s international break, which is a significant blow.
They remain sidelined along with the likes of Joel Matip, Thiago and Stefan Bajcetic, while fellow absentee Curtis Jones could return “around” the internationals.
On the plus side, key trio Dominik Szoboszlai, Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez are all fighting to be fit for the final, and will be assessed in the days preceding kickoff.
Having them back would feel like a huge shot in the arm.
Speaking to the press on Friday, Pep Lijnders was on excellent form, discussing turning down offers in the past and his exit this summer: “We knew already in the summer that we are coming toward the end of this project. The last years, I got offers. My heart always said yes, my loyalty and my respect and friendship with Mike and Jurgen said no.
“So, the moment we spoke and he said ‘I’m thinking about [leaving]’ I said that is, for me, clear: I will go and manage.
“We will end this project together. I feel that it’s the project of a lot of people and I feel that it’s the right way to do it, like this. The club can find a new coach with new elements.
“But I’m excited to manage, I’m excited to go, to find the right club who really wants [me]. But until the last final of the season, I’m focused on Liverpool, not on what’s happening now. That’s why we have agents, no?”
Liverpool’s assistant manager will be a big miss when he goes – the biggest compliment you can pay him is that he’s often more insightful than Klopp in press conferences.
Meanwhile, Sunday is the 14th time Liverpool have appeared in the League Cup final, in a competition that they have enjoyed so much success in.
They lost in a replay on their first appearance, being beaten by Nottingham Forest, before sealing four triumphs in a row between 1981 and 1984, beating West Ham (replay), Tottenham, Man United and Everton (replay).
After losing to Arsenal in 1987, a Steve McManaman-inspired Liverpool beat Bolton in the 1995 final, before Birmingham were seen off six years later at the Millennium Stadium.
A sweet-tasting victory over United in 2003 came next, before a sickening loss to Chelsea a couple of years later, and Cardiff were seen off on penalties in 2012. Klopp tasted final heartbreak in his first season, following a shootout loss to City, but they were triumphant on spot-kicks against Chelsea two years ago.
Nine wins and four defeats is not too shabby!
