Carabao Cup final: Predicted Liverpool line up to face Chelsea

The first major trophy of the English domestic season is up for grabs when Liverpool face Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday. 

The two sides met in both domestic cup finals in 2022, with Jurgen Klopp’s side victorious on both occasions.

Blues boss Mauricio Pochettino will be desperate to win his first trophy in English football, but Klopp will also be keen to win the cup in his final season at Anfield.

Here, we predict the XI that Klopp could select for the game at Wembley.

Goalkeeper

First choice ‘keeper Alisson has been ruled out of the game due to injury and Caoimhin Kelleher is therefore set to start on Sunday. The Irishman played in the 2022 final and scored in the penalty shoot-out as the Reds triumphed.

Defenders

At right-back, Trent Alexander-Arnold is another star who has been ruled out of the game and youngster Conor Bradley is therefore set to start. The Northern Irishman has featured regularly for Klopp’s side over the past couple of months, and scored his first senior goal against Chelsea in the Premier League last month.

Bradley has been in sensational form in recent weeks

Ibrahima Konate will most likely partner captain Virgil van Dijk in central defence, with Joel Matip a long-term absentee. Van Dijk and Konate also both scored in Liverpool’s shoot-out victory over Chelsea two years ago, and Klopp will be hoping that they can cope with the Blues’ improving strike force.

Scot Andy Robertson has missed several weeks due to injury this season but the left-back made a welcome return to action last month and is in line to start the game at Wembley.

Midfielders

Thiago Alcantara will miss Sunday’s match, while fellow midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai faces a late fitness test and could also miss out. Alexis Mac Allister provided two assists during Liverpool’s 4-1 win over Luton Town on Wednesday, and the Argentine looks certain to start against Chelsea.

The former Brighton and Hove Albion man will most likely be joined by Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch, both of whom started the victory over the Hatters in midweek.

Endo is in line to start the final at Wembley on Sunday

Curtis Jones was forced off injured against Brentford last weekend and could also miss the match, while Harvey Elliott will likely be among the substitutes.

Forwards

Klopp also has injury problems in attack, with Diogo Jota set for an extended spell on the sidelined after being forced off against the Bees.

Darwin Nunez was substituted at half-time against Brentford as a precaution and missed the win over Luton, but the Uruguayan could return to the starting line up at Wembley.

Mohamed Salah is another player who has missed games due to injury this season but the Egyptian returned to action against Brentford and will likely start on the right at Wembley.

Salah will be hoping to win a second Carabao Cup on Sunday

Colombia international Luis Diaz will likely complete Klopp’s attack, having scored in midweek at Anfield. Cody Gakpo could be named among the substitutes.

Predicted XI: Kelleher; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Endo, Gravenberch; Salah, Nunez, Diaz.