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In a repeat of the 2022 final, both sides will be travelling to the Wembley showcase chasing very different dreams and aspirations this season but of course, winning a trophy can be the catalyst for success in any team environment.
Here’s how both sides reached the 2023/24 Carabao Cup Final:
Chelsea
Mauricio Pochettino has had a tough first few months at the helm at Chelsea, with his teams’ performances in the Premier League coming under particular scrutiny. However, the Carabao Cup has proven to be a vehicle for Pochettino to tinker with his side and the results that the blues have picked up in the competition, have eased the pressure on him in the hotseat somewhat.
Home draws have certainly helped Chelsea along the way, who overcame Brighton, Blackburn Rovers, and Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge to book their place in the last 4 against Championship side Middlesbrough.
A tight 1-0 loss at the Riverside Stadium against Boro certainly had tongues wagging, with Michael Carrick’s side dreaming of upsetting the odds but Chelsea bounced back in style in the second leg, winning 6-1 at Stamford Bridge to book their place in the Carabao Cup Final.
Liverpool
After enduring a season to forget in 2022/23, Liverpool have bounced back with a bang this season. Into unchartered territory in his 9th and final season at Anfield, the German has rung the changes and Liverpool currently sit top of the Premier League and in the mix for FA Cup and Europa League glory too.
No side has won the trophy more times than Liverpool, who have picked up the League Cup on 9 occasions and having last lifted the Cup back in 2022. The reds had to overcome Leicester City, Bournemouth and West Ham United to reach the last 4, where a tough looking two-legged tie against Fulham lay in wait.
Going behind at home to the Cottagers in the first leg spurred Liverpool on, who ended up winning the first leg 2-1, before picking up a 1-1 draw on the road at Craven Cottage – to reach the Carabao Cup final for a record 14th time.
Where will the game be won and lost?
If Premier League position was the only barometer which predictions were being made here, Liverpool would be the runaway favourites. Especially with the Friday morning news that this will be Klopps last Carabao Cup Final with Liverpool before he steps down as Liverpool manager at the end of this season.
The reds are sat comfortably top of the Premier League, and they have their fate very much in their own hands this year, as they chase their first title since 2020. However, cup finals often produce unexpected results and Chelsea would need to shake up the form book a little bit here, if they were to emerge victorious.
Sat in 9th place in the Premier League, it has been another transitional year for the blues but with manager Mauricio Pochettino famously having never won a trophy here in England, he is sure to have his troops raring to go for this one at Wembley.
On the pitch, Chelsea will be looking to the likes of Raheem Sterling and Cole Palmer, two men that were huge parts of the years of success being enjoyed by Manchester City and their experience of playing on the biggest stage, should be a massive assist to the blues.
Meanwhile, Liverpool will be desperate to get the likes of Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold back into their starting lineup, with both players having missed sustained periods recently. The appearance of either player in the final could give the reds a welcome boost.
So, who will come out on top?
Wembley cup finals are always huge occasions and the atmosphere at the ‘home of football’ on February 25th should be absolutely electric.
Chelsea will be backed to the hilt by their fans, who will have made the short trip across London and the prospect of breaking a decade-long trophy duck, will give Mauricio Pochettino and his players plenty of fire in the belly.
However, A fire will have been lit under the Liverpool team and the fans with the announcement of Jurgen Klopp leaving reds at the end of the season. And even without this news, Liverpool are a winning machine currently, winning games even when they are not playing well and if they can hit anywhere near a decent level here, they should pick up their first trophy of what they hope will be a trophy-laden season before the boss departs in May.
Watch the highlights from the last time these two came face to face in the Carabao Cup Final in 2022!
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