Liverpool will lock horns with Chelsea at Wembley Stadium on Sunday evening, hoping to pick up a win in the finals of the Carabao Cup and lift their first silverware of the season. The Blues will be heading into the contest on the back of an encouraging 2-0 win over LOSC Lille in the first leg of the round of sixteen of the UEFA Champions League, whereas the Reds recorded a thumping 6-0 victory against Leeds United on February 24.
Team News
Diogo Jota remains doubtful for the weekend clash, but Roberto Firmino has been ruled out with a muscle injury.
“Bobby we have to see in the next two days. He is pushing himself really hard but he will not be available for the final, to reach the squad,” Pepijn Lijnders told the media on Friday.
“We hope he will be back really soon because you all see and know and feel how important he is for our way of playing, so I am happy that he is pushing himself. Hopefully he is soon back.
“Jota, so far no reaction on the things he did, so the straight-line running, the changes of direction and the ball work he did, so that’s a good sign. He isn’t ruled out but still it will be a challenge.”
Jurgen Klopp will probably opt for the 4-3-3 formation with several tweaks from the last game. Jordan Henderson might get the nod over Curtis Jones in midfield, whereas Caoimhin Kelleher looks likely to make his way back into the starting eleven.
4-3-3 Liverpool Predicted Lineup Vs Chelsea
Defence
Caoimhin Kelleher should return to operate between the sticks for the upcoming clash. The Irish shot-stopper will hope to put up a strong performance and secure a clean sheet on Sunday.
Joel Matip will form the centre-half partnership with Virgil van Dijk at the heart of Liverpool’s backline.
Andrew Robertson is a guaranteed starter at the left wing-back position, whereas Trent Alexander-Arnold will fill in on the other flank as the right wing-back. The full-backs will be expected to stretch their side’s attack in the opposition half.
Konstantinos Tsimikas will have to settle for a place on the bench, but he could be brought on in the latter stages of the game if needed.
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Midfield
Fabinho might start in the holding midfield position and could be assigned with more of a defensive role to shield Liverpool’s back-four.
Jordan Henderson and Thiago Alcantara will slot into the central midfield roles. The duo would be determined to set up some clear-cut goal scoring chances for the front men.
Attack
Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah will take up the wide positions, playing on the left and right-wing, respectively.
Sadio Mane will lead the line against Chelsea this weekend. The Senegal international will be hoping to get his name on the scoresheet when he faces off against the Blues defence that has conceded just two goals in their last five matches across all competitions.
Diogo Jota could come off the bench in the second forty-five minutes of the match.
