FA Cup Final: Can Chelsea get Revenge for Their League Cup Final Defeat to Liverpool?

This Saturday, the FA Cup final is set to take place as Chelsea and Liverpool go head-to-head for victory in England’s oldest competition. This is the fourth meeting between the pair this season, as Chelsea will look to exact revenge after a penalty shoot-out saw them miss out on the Carabao Cup earlier in the campaign.

Based on form, Liverpool enters this one as slight favourites, as despite dropping points recently against Tottenham to all but end their title challenge, Jurgen Klopp’s side had won their previous six, as well as coming from behind to beat Aston Villa last time out.

Chelsea’s recent results certainly leave more to be desired, as since making the final, Thomas Tuchel’s side have won just twice against West Ham and Leeds, as well as drawing with Manchester United and Wolves, and losing to Arsenal and Everton, although they will be high in confidence after a 3-0 victory at Elland Road in mid-week.

As for both sides' FA Cup runs, Liverpool has seen off Shrewsbury, Cardiff, Norwich, Nottingham Forest, and rivals Manchester City, whilst Chelsea have arguably had an easier run of games, overcoming Chesterfield, Plymouth Argyle, Luton Town, Middlesborough, and beating Crystal Palace in the semi-final.

Over the last two seasons, there has been little to split these two, as having faced each other five times, Liverpool has won twice, Chelsea once, with the other two ending as draws. Although February’s Carabao Cup final saw four goals ruled out as the game officially finished goalless, this is in keeping with recent meetings between these two, as four of their five last meetings have ended with two or fewer goals, so expect a potentially cagey affair.

Of these recent five meetings, Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has been in the dugout for the last four, and until the Carabao Cup defeat, the German was unbeaten when facing Liverpool. Since arriving in London, Tuchel has been something of a knockout football specialist, leading the Blues to every cup final possible with the exception of this season's Champions League.

However, while Tuchel has led Chelsea in three, soon to be four finals, last season’s Champions League remains his sole triumph, as alongside missing out on this campaign's Carabao Cup, a wonder goal from Leicester’s Youri Tielemans saw the Foxes beat Chelsea in the 2021 FA Cup final.

As for Klopp, since arriving on Merseyside, Chelsea has generally been an enjoyable opponent as the German has a record of eight wins, six draws, and just four defeats against the Blues, however, this must be taken with a pinch of salt considering this record spans almost seven years worth of fixtures.

As mentioned, Liverpool are favourites to lift the trophy, however in a cup final anything can happen, and Chelsea certainly won’t be rolled over as they look for redemption on Saturday.

As recent results have proven, Liverpool aren’t invincible, with the Reds drawing to Tottenham, Man City and Benfica lately, and in truth on other days could have lost all three. Chelsea will be wise to the fact that Liverpool favours an open game, and must do their best to be compact, hold their shape, and frustrate Klopp’s side as Spurs did so successfully last weekend.

Besides Ben Chilwell and Callum Hudson-Odoi, Chelsea, have no other certain absentees, but, N’Golo Kanta and Matteo Kovacic will both require late fitness tests for Saturday’s final, with the former likely to play a key role in any potential success that the Blues may have.

Meanwhile, Fabinho is the only slight doubt for Klopp, but, the Brazilian is expected to feature here.

Whilst the Liverpool line-up is largely predictable, Chelsea’s attacking selections certainly aren’t set in stone, however, despite an underwhelming season, three goals in Romelu Lukaku’s last two games may be enough to see the Belgian start this one.

Saturday’s result has a lot riding on it for both sides, as even though the unprecedented quadrable is likely off the table for Liverpool, they are still within touching of a historic treble.

For Chelsea, given anticipations at the start of the season owing largely to the signing of Lukaku, the Blues have had a poor campaign, and would be disappointed to end the season without domestic silverware after reaching two finals.

Both sides will certainly be up for this one, and for any neutrals, we can hope for a repeat of the action-packed League Cup final on show when these two last met at Wembley.