Carabao Cup final: Predicted Liverpool predicted line up to face Chelsea

When Liverpool takes on Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday, the first significant prize of the English domestic season will be up for grabs.

In 2022, the teams faced off in two separate domestic cup finals, with Jurgen Klopp’s team emerging triumphant both times.

Although Klopp is eager to win the cup in his last season at Anfield, Blues manager Mauricio Pochettino will be driven to win his first trophy in English football.

Here, we project the starting lineup that Klopp might use for the match at Wembley.

Goalie

Due to an injury, first-choice goalie Alisson will not be playing on Sunday; Caoimhin Kelleher will start in his place. The Irishman participated in the 2022 championship game, helping the Reds win by penalty shootout.

defenders

Another star, Trent Alexander-Arnold, is out of the game at right-back, meaning that rookie Conor Bradley will start. Over the past few months, the Northern Irishman has been a regular fixture for Klopp’s team. Last month, he scored his first goal as a senior against Chelsea in the Premier League.

Joel Matip is a long-term absence, therefore Ibrahima Konate will probably play central defender alongside captain Virgil van Dijk. Both Van Dijk and Konate scored in Liverpool’s shootout victory over Chelsea in the previous season, so Klopp will be hopeful that they can handle the growing offensive strength of the Blues.

Despite missing multiple weeks of activity this season due to injury, Scottish left-back Andy Robertson returned to duty last month and is expected to start the match at Wembley.

midfield players

Thiago Alcantara will not play on Sunday, and Dominik Szoboszlai, another midfield player, may not play either due to a late fitness test. Argentine Alexis Mac Allister looked certain after contributing two assists in Liverpool’s 4-1 victory over Luton Town on Wednesday.

The two players who began the win over the Hatters in midweek, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch, are expected to join the former Brighton and Hove Albion player.

Harvey Elliott is expected to be one of the substitutes, while Curtis Jones, who was forced off due to injury against Brentford last Saturday, may also miss the game.

Moving Forward

Attacking injuries are another issue for Klopp; Diogo Jota will be out for a considerable amount of time after being sent off against the Bees.

As a precaution, Darwin Nunez was replaced at halftime against Brentford and did not play in the victory over Luton; nonetheless, the Uruguayan may start at Wembley.

Another player who has missed games this season due to injury is Mohamed Salah. However, the Egyptian made his Wembley debut against Brentford and is expected to start on the right side.

Luis Diaz, a Colombian international who scored at Anfield in the middle of the week, will probably finish off Klopp’s onslaught. One possible replacement is Cody Gakpo.

Kelleher, Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Endo, Gravenberch; Salah, Nunez, Diaz are the predicted starting lineup.