Carabao Cup Final: 4 Things Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool Must Do to Beat Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea

• Liverpool will take on Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley on Sunday, February 25
• Jurgen Klopp will leave at the end of the season, and they want to give him the perfect farewell
• Liverpool will be without 11 players for the final against the Blues but could have at least 3 back

The quest to give Jurgen Klopp the perfect send-off continues.

Liverpool are currently in the running for four trophies, with the first on offer being the Carabao Cup.

The Reds will take on Chelsea in the final, looking to claim the cup for the 10th time.

While Mauricio Pochettino’s side aren’t having the best of times in the league, they are desperate to win a trophy to help turn their season around. The London-based side last won a trophy in 2021, and the Carabao Cup represents their only chance of silverware this season.

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With questions raised about whether Poch should be the right person to lead the side, a trophy could help to appease his detractors.

There are things that Liverpool can do to ensure they get the better of the Blues and pile on more misery to the Londoners, though.

Four things Liverpool must do against Chelsea

Be clinical

There’s no denying that Liverpool have quality going forward, even when Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez are injured.

The Reds create chances every game but don’t always convert them. Against Luton Town, Klopp’s side had 29 total shots but only 13 on target. Of those 13, they only scored four goals.

The lack of finishing also cost them the 2021/22 UEFA Champions League final against Real Madrid.

Madrid won 1-0 despite only having three shots in the entire game. The goal was the only attempt on target. On the other hand, Liverpool had 23 attempts with only nine on target, UEFA’s website confirmed.

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Stop Enzo from controlling the midfield

In August 2023, the two sides met in an English Premier League game, which ended in a 1-1.

Klopp’s side were favourites to pick up the win, but Enzo Fernandez stole the show.

The Argentinian controlled the midfield, outplaying Liverpool’s stars on the day.

While he hasn’t performed to that level during every game this season, he can turn it up for the final. Liverpool’s assistant manager Pep Lijnders has also stressed that the key to winning the game was silencing Enzo, Tribal Football reported.

“Enzo Fernandez is the one where it all starts. He is the one who can play passes everywhere,” he said.

Don’t be too casual at the back

Liverpool are a team who love to build up their attacks from defence.

The side are not afraid to pass the ball back to their keeper and play intricate passes in their box.

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While Alisson is more confident in those situations, he has also messed up before. With Caoimhin Kelleher set to be in goal for the big game, Liverpool can’t afford to put their keeper under any more pressure.

The Irish keeper has been a capable deputy for Alisson but shouldn’t have to deal with unnecessary stress at the back. Liverpool fans would hate to see another Steven Gerrard slip situation that loses them a cup.

Avoid any more injuries

Talk about unlucky.

Liverpool have been hit with numerous injuries since the year began, and currently have 11 players out.

While Lijnders confirmed that three of those players could be fit to make a return for the final, the Anfield-based side were forced to call on their youngsters to fill out their bench against Luton.

They had no senior attacking options on the bench during the game but didn’t need them. Further injuries ahead of the big final will threaten the team’s chances to field a side capable of beating Chelsea at Wembley.

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Carabao Cup preview and prediction

The first trophy in the 2023/24 season will be on offer at Wembley when Liverpool take on Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final.

The Red have won the title nine times already, while the Blues have claimed it six times, and both sides are looking for bragging rights.

With Klopp’s men going into the game as favourites, Sports Brief brings you a preview of the Liverpool and Chelsea clash.