The first title of the year is looking for a holder on the Island. Chelsea and Liverpool they meet today at 17:00 (Action 24) in the final of the League Cup at “Wembley” and they want the title for… their own reasons.
The men “blue” of London having lost a lot of ground even for an exit to Europe and do not participate in the European competitions, although they retain a chance of winning a trophy also through the Cup, in which they have qualified in the “16”. The not Jurgen Klopp’s team is a pioneer in the Premier League, while it remains in contention for the trophy in the other competitions in which it participates (FA Cup and Europa League). However, the “reds” will “fight” to win the League Cup, in order to dedicate it to their coach, who recently announced that in the summer he will leave the technical leadership of Liverpool.
Many problems Maurizio Pochettino is facing for Chelsea. Out of action are Badiasil, Fofana, James, Koukoureya, Tsukuemeka, Lavia and Ugotsuku, while Thiago Silva is doubtful. The absence list is also full for Jurgen Klopp, who cannot count on Alexander-Arnold, Zota and Alisson, while the participation of Salah, Nunes and Somboslai will be decided at the last minute.
THE Chelsea “entered” this year’s League Cup from the second round, as one of the Premier League teams that did not have European commitments, and knocked out Wimbledon, Brighton, Blackburn, Newcastle and Middlesbrough in order to reach the final showdown. Mauricio Pochettino’s side will be participating in a League Cup final for the tenth time, having won five and lost four in the previous nine. On her part, Liverpool started its run in this year’s League Cup from the third round, as one of the Premier League teams that had European competitions, and overcame the “obstacles” of Leicester, Bournemouth, West Ham and Fulham to reach the final. This year is the 14th appearance of the “reds” in a League Cup final, a number that is a record in the competition. Also, Liverpool has won the trophy nine times, making it the most victorious in the institution.
It is worth noting that Chelsea and Liverpool meet for the third time in a League Cup final, with the “blues” winning the trophy by winning 3-2 in 2005 and the “reds” winning on penalties in 2022.
Mauricio Pochettino and Jurgen Klopp meet for the second time in a final, with the German’s Liverpool beating Argentina’s Tottenham Hotspur in the 2019 Champions League final.
Possible compositions:
Chelsea: Petrovic, Gusto, Disari, Colwill, Chilwell, Fernandes, Gallagher, Caicedo, Palmer, Jackson, Sterling.
Liverpool: Kelleher, Robertson, Van Dijk, Conate, Bradley, Hraffenberg, Edo, McAllister, Diaz, Hakpo, Salah (Elliott).
The golden book of finals
1961 Aston Villa-Rotherham 0-2, 3-0 (d)
1962 Norwich-Rochdale 3-0, 1-0
1963 Birmingham-Aston Villa 3-1, 0-0
1964 Leicester-Stoke 1-1, 3-2
1965 Chelsea-Leicester 3-2, 0-0
1966 West Brom-West Ham 1-2, 4-1
1967 QPR-West Brom 3-2
1968 Leeds-Arsenal 1-0
1969 Swindon-Arsenal 3-1 (par.)
1970 Manchester City-West Brom 2-1 (par.)
1971 Tottenham-Aston Villa 2-0
1972 Stoke-Chelsea 2-1
1973 Tottenham-Norwich 1-0
1974 Wolves-Manchester City 2-1
1975 Aston Villa-Norwich 1-0
1976 Manchester City-Newcastle 2-1
1977 Aston Villa-Everton 0-0 (draw), 1-1 (draw), 3-2 (draw)
1978 Nottingham-Liverpool 0-0 (par.), 1-0
1979 Nottingham-Southampton 3-2
1980 Wolves-Nottingham 1-0
1981 Liverpool-West Ham 1-1 (par.), 2-1
1982 Liverpool-Tottenham 3-1 (par.)
1983 Liverpool-Manchester W. 2-1 (par.)
1984 Liverpool-Everton 0-0 (par.), 1-0
1985 Norwich-Sunderland 1-0
1986 Oxford-QPR 3-0
1987 Arsenal-Liverpool 2-1
1988 Luton-Arsenal 3-2
1989 Nottingham-Luton 3-1
1990 Nottingham-Oldham 1-0
1991 Sheffield United-Manchester City 1-0
1992 Manchester City-Nottingham 1-0
1993 Arsenal-Sheffield Wen. 2-1
1994 Aston Villa-Manchester W. 3-1
1995 Liverpool-Bolton 2-1
1996 Aston Villa-Leeds 3-0
1997 Leicester-Middlesbrough 1-1 (d), 1-0 (d)
1998 Chelsea-Middlesbrough 2-0 (par.)
1999 Tottenham-Leicester 1-0
2000 Leicester-Tranmere 2-1
2001 Liverpool-Birmingham 1-1 (d) 5-4 on penalties
2002 Blackburn-Tottenham 2-1
2003 Liverpool-Manchester W. 2-0
2004 Middlesbrough-Bolton 2-1
2005 Chelsea-Liverpool 3-2 (par.)
2006 Manchester City-Wigan 4-0
2007 Chelsea-Arsenal 2-1
2008 Tottenham-Chelsea 2-1 (par.)
2009 Manchester City-Tottenham 0-0 (4-1 on penalties)
2010 Manchester City-Aston Villa 2-1
2011 Arsenal-Birmingham 1-2
2012 Liverpool-Cardiff 2-2 (3-2 on penalties)
2013 Swansea-Bradford 5-0
2014 Manchester City-Sunderland 3-1
2015 Chelsea-Tottenham 2-0
2016 Manchester City-Liverpool 1-1 (3-1 on penalties)
2017 Manchester City-Southampton 3-2
2018 Manchester City-Arsenal 3-0
2019 Manchester City-Chelsea 0-0 (4-3 on penalties)
2020 Manchester City-Aston Villa 2-1
2021 Manchester City-Tottenham 1-0
2022 Chelsea-Liverpool 0-0 (10-11 on penalties)
2023 Manchester City-Newcastle 2-0
The trophy winners
9 trophies: Liverpool
8 trophies: Manchester City
6 trophies: Manchester City.
5 trophies: Aston Villa, Chelsea
4 trophies: Tottenham, Nottingham Forest
3 trophies: Leicester
2 trophies: Arsenal, Norwich, Birmingham, Wolves
1 trophy: Swansea, West Brom, Middlesbrough, QPR, Leeds, Stoke City, Luton,
Sheffield Wen., Swindon, Oxford, Blackburn
* Since 1967 the finals have been single and held at Wembley.
* From 2001 to 2007, they were held at the “Millennium” in Cardiff.
* Until 1997, a replay was provided for matches that ended in a draw (and in overtime).
Source: Sport Fm
I am currently a news writer for News Bulletin247 where I mostly cover sports news. I have always been interested in writing and it is something I am very passionate about. In my spare time, I enjoy reading and spending time with my family and friends.
