Chelsea vs Liverpool: Three player battles to watch out for
Analyzing three head-to-head player battles that could determine the EFL Cup final’s result
Chelsea and Liverpool will go head-to-head on Sunday, February 26th at the Wembley stadium to battle for the first piece of silverware available in English football this season.
Jurgen Klopp versus Mauricio Pochettino. Two managers set out with different ventures; one is in the midst of a swansong, the other is testing himself in his first season back in England. Both will be equally determined to win for their own reasons.
While Klopp is on a mission to add to his collection of silverware with the Merseysiders, Pochettino will make just his second appearance in the League Cup final – the first being a 2-0 defeat at the hands of none other than Chelsea in 2014/15, when he was the head coach at Tottenham Hotspur.
The Reds head into the game as obvious favorites to clinch a record-extending 10th Carabao Cup trophy, while Chelsea will look to dislodge the Wembley curse that has been haunting them for the last five plus campaigns. The Blues lost three FA Cup finals along with two EFL Cups, the latest against Liverpool in 2021/22 (11-10 on penalties after the game finished 0-0) in recent years.
With so much on the line, let’s dive straight into the key player battles that could govern either team’s fate on Sunday.
Conor Bradley vs. Raheem Sterling
What a start it’s been for young Conor Bradley’s career at Liverpool. And what a pair of shoes he’ll have to fill in for the final in Trent Alexander-Arnold’s absence.
The 20-year-old has become a mainstay at right-back, repaying the faith Klopp and his team have placed in him. He comes from a modern-day mold of full backs; pacy, direct and expressive.And he’s likely to be awarded a start against Chelsea – the team he demolished with a goal and two assists when the sides last met – after having made three league cup appearances this term.
He’ll be up against a stalwart in Raheem Sterling, who is in line to become the 12th player to participate in five Carabao Cup finals.
There’s no denying that Pochettino will be heavily reliant on his experience in leading an attack full of fledglings. With eight goals and as many assists this season, the former Liverpool winger will have to bring his afterburners against an energetic Bradley.
The vertical pass from Levi Colwill or Ben Chilwell from a wide left position could be a weapon to exploit if Bradley is licensed with attacking freedom, but Sterling ought to make the most of such opportunities.
Conor Gallagher vs. Alexis Mac Allister
In an all-midfield battle, it’s Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher against Alexis Mac Allister.
Two technicians who operate in varied roles for their teams. However, both plug in the gaps left by their opponents and drift into pockets along with bringing their passing range to the forefront.
That range of passing, the battle of who makes better decisions – positionally and tactically – will play a huge role in unfurling each team’s full strength.
It’s fair to say Mac Allister is gradually growing into his role, especially with Endo holding the fort at midfield. It allows the former to exploit advanced positions and that’s where he’s most dangerous.
His quality shone in the recently concluded double game week 25, where he drifted into space to cap off a 4-1 win against Brentford, before supplying two key assists to turn around the Luton Town test.
On the other hand, Gallagher brings about a persona that bleeds right throughout the buildings at Cobham – a relentless winning mentality and never-say-die attitude. It’s needless to specify how desperate Chelsea need that if they’re to upstage a rampant Liverpool team.
Gallagher’s calves must be on fire at the end of every game, such is the distance he covers and the pressing he offers his side.
Should Chelsea emerge victorious, the immense pride that will reflect on the academy graduate, who has seen more bad days than good in his senior Blues career, will be priceless.
Cole Palmer vs. Luis Diaz
Should Liverpool be without Mohamed Salah or Darwin Nunez, the onus rests on Luis Diaz’s shoulders as the senior man on attack.
Such is the magic that Klopp works, that someone always manages to step up in the absence of another. Diogo Jota, until his injury, barely made the Reds contingent miss Salah, and while Liverpool were drastically weakened with injuries against Luton, Diaz racked up 1.81 xG and scored a well-taken goal to secure a third straight PL win for his side.
In fact, he’s recorded six goals plus assists (G/A) in Liverpool’s last five league games. A tricky winger to deal with and someone who is mastering the art of popping up on the edge of the area, Diaz will be a handful if given space to exploit on the left.
On the other hand, is Chelsea’s young talisman, Cole Palmer. The 21-year-old raised a few eyebrows when he switched from Manchester City to West London after starring for his boyhood club in the UEFA Super Cup and Community Shield.
But he’s emerged as one of the signings of the season, racking up 12 goals and nine assists thus far for the Blues.
His maturity in various situations combined with visionary passing and calmness will be crucial for Chelsea’s fortunes going forward, not just in this final or season, but for years to follow.
Wembley is where heroes are made. These matches belong to a handful of those that a player can recall in the blink of an eye. Chelsea will hope Palmer steps up in their first title charge under Todd Boehly.
-Roy Akarshak
Twitter: @RoyAkarshak
Photo: Arne Museler / www.arne-mueseler.com. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Germany license.