Our prediction for this EFL Cup match:
Wembley Stadium will be the centre of attention when Chelsea and Liverpool lock horns in the EFL Cup final. The Blues did well to hold star-studded Man City to a draw in their last league match, which is surely giving fans a reason for optimism ahead of Sunday’s showdown. The likes of Thiago Silva, Carney Chukwuemeka, Benoit Badiashile, Marc Cucurella, and Lesley Ugochukwu remain on the sidelines with injuries, but Mauro Pochettino has no fresh selection worries.
The Reds, on the other hand, rolled over Brentford 4-1 at the weekend to retain top position in the standings. As key attacker Mohamed Salah should start this time out, we are tempted to put our money on Jurgen Klopp’s troops. All Diogo Jota, Curtis Jones, Alisson Becker, Dominik Szobozlai, Thiago Alcantara, and Trent Alexander-Arnold remain in the treatment room. Darwin Nunez is widely expected to lead the line for the Anfield outfit.
Highlighted Player (Mohamed Salah):
Mohamed Salah is considered one of the best African players. Salah began his senior career at El Mokawloon, scoring 11 goals in 41 league appearances for the club and in 2012 he moved to Europe, signing a four-year deal with Swiss side Basel.
The pacey winger, who is capable of playing as a striker as well was producing outstanding displays for the RotBlau from 2012 to 2014 and, as a result, Chelsea chiefs decided to sign him on 26 January, 2015 for a fee of £11 million. Mohamed Salah, though, failed to impress in the Premier league and one year later he was sent on loan to Fiorentina.
After making 16 league appearances for the Viola in the Serie A, the left-footed winger signed a loan deal with Roma on 6 August, 2015. The Romans made the contract permanent on 3 August, 2016. Speaking of his international career, Salah made his Egypt debut on 3 September, 2011 in a 2-1 loss to Sierra Leone. It has to be noted that he was named Roma’s player of the season (2015/2016).
Highlighted Team (Chelsea):
Over the years Chelsea have established themselves as one of the dominant forces in the English Premier League. Roberto Di Matteo helped the team win their first ever Champions League trophy (2011/2012), but it has to be noted that they were more than fortunate to beat Bayern Munich in the title game.
Chelsea have been playing at Stamford Bridge since 1876 and they are a real force to be reckoned with at home. The Blues have won seven FA Cups, five League Cups, two UEFA Cup Winners’ Cups and the UEFA Europa League. Rafael Benitez was in charge of the team that faced Benfica in the 2012/2013 Europa League final, with Branislav Ivanovic scoring the winner for the Blues in the title clash.
After lifting the 2014/2015 Premier League trophy, the Blues largely struggled in the next campaign, which saw Jose Mourinho’s second spell with the club come to an end, and Antoine Conte went over to take the reigns for the 2016/2017 season.