Saturday’s FA Cup final promises to be exciting, as Liverpool and Chelsea meet at Wembley for the second time in less than three months.
Both sides played a captivating final for the Carabao Cup in February, with the Reds eventually winning on penalties.
Chelsea will now have their chance to get revenge, ending Liverpool’s hopes for an unprecedented quadruple. Here’s how the two teams could line up for the long-awaited clash …
Liverpool beat Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final in February
LIVERPOOL
GK – ALISON
Kaoimhin Keleher received approval for the Carabao Cup final, but Alison was the preferred option by Jurgen Klopp in the final stages of the FA Cup and he must take his place in the door on this occasion as well.
Manchester City chose to play against Liverpool in the semi-finals against their second choice and this had the opposite effect, as Zack Stephen made a glaring mistake for the second goal.
Klopp will not want to take unnecessary risks here.
RB – TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD
A simple solution for Klopp.
Alexander-Arnold was in exceptional form this term, winning a place on the list of players of the season in the Premier League.
Joe Gomez has replaced him well at times in recent weeks, but Alexander-Arnold just has to start this match.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is very likely to start as Liverpool’s right back at Wembley
CB – JOEL MATIP
It will not be a surprise to see Klopp fill for Ibrahim Konate instead of Matip.
However, Matip started both games against Chelsea, which were available for this season, and almost made no mistake. This may just give him an advantage over Konate.
CB – VIRGIL VAN DYKE
He may be the best central defender on the planet right now, and Liverpool will need another great performance from him to beat Chelsea.
He won the award for player of the match in the final of the Carabao Cup, and the Dutchman will hope to create more happy memories with the club from Merseyside at Wembley on Saturday.
LB – ANDREW ROBERTSON
Robertson took a break against Aston Villa on Tuesday, given the match, making it clear that it is likely to begin, excluding any unexpected setbacks.
The 28-year-old has another strong campaign at Anfield and should fill the back four of Liverpool.
DM – JORDAN HANDERSON
After Fabinho dropped out after coming out with a muscle problem against Villa, Henderson is the obvious alternate in the supporting role.
He came in for the Brazilian in the middle of the week and did a good job, and Liverpool will hope that his experience will be decisive in this clash.
Jordan Henderson will replace Fabinho as the midfielder
CM – NABI KATE
The Guinean national team seems to be strengthening as the season progresses and is likely to take its place on the right of the top three in the Liverpool midfield.
CM – TIAGO ALCANTARA
In the last month, Thiago has been in the best shape of his career at Liverpool so far, showing a particularly impressive performance when his team kicked out Manchester United.
He missed the Carabao Cup final after pulling out of the warm-up and will hopefully avoid such bad luck this time.
RW – MOHAMMAD SALAH
Salah may have been a little unhappy to start Liverpool’s match against Villa only on the bench, given that the Golden Shoe is on the line, but that should ensure that it is fresh for this match.
He has scored 30 goals in all competitions this season and may want to add to his result against the Blues.
LW – LOUIS DIAZ
Klopp may consider going with Diogo Hota to Diaz, but given how well the Colombian is playing at the moment, it will be very difficult to abandon him.
Diaz turned Liverpool’s Champions League semi-final draw against Villarreal in favor of their team and proved they are changing the game after arriving at Anfield in January.
Luis Diaz’s form should make him get a left-wing nod for Jurgen Klopp’s side
ST – SADIO MANE
Manet was sensational in 2022 and can fight for this year’s Golden Ball.
Adding another silverware to his collection will give him a chance to win this award without any harm.
Liverpool predict XI for their final clash for the FA Cup against Chelsea
CHELSEA
GK – EDWARD MANDY
Thomas Tuchel trusted Mandy in the Carabao Cup final in February and will probably do the same here again.
If this game goes to penalties, it will be interesting to see if he brings out Kepa Arizabalaga after this move three months ago.
RWB – RICE JAMES
James is able to play as a winger or in central defense, but given the attacking threat he offers, he must be chosen to play in the previous role.
Alexander-Arnold and James are probably the two best full-backs in England at the moment and it will be intriguing to see who will shine brighter on Saturday.
CB – CESAR AZPILICUETA
The Chelsea captain has already won the FA Cup once and will strive to triumph again.
He remains a reliable presence in what will likely be a very experienced quarterback.
Cesar Aspilicueta is ready to lead Chelsea in another FA Cup final on Saturday
CB – TIAGO SILVA
Silva is still strong at the age of 37 and has proof that he is Chelsea’s best player this season.
A reassuring influence from behind, he has proven time and time again that he is a man for big occasions.
CB – ANTONIO RUDIGER
Rudiger is ready to leave Chelsea to join Real Madrid this summer, but for now he is an important part of Tuhel’s team.
Raising the FA Cup would be the perfect departure for the German international, who has become a favorite of Stamford Bridge fans.
LWB – MARCOS ALONSO
Alonso is another player who may leave West London in the coming months, as he is linked to his return home.
With Ben Chillwell still on the sidelines, Alonso is the obvious choice to play on the left flank.
CM – N’GOLO KANTE
Tuhel admitted that Kante is not 100% fit at the moment, but he is returning to training and given the importance of the match it could be risky.
Cante was exceptional in the Champions League final last season and such a performance may be needed here if Chelsea want to beat Liverpool.
N’Golo Kante will hope to be fit enough to take his place in Chelsea’s starting XI
CM – MATEO KOVAČIĆ
Kovacic is even more skeptical than Kante, after being on the receiving side of an ugly-looking match for Daniel James on Wednesday.
At that moment, it seemed that his dreams for the cup final were shattered, but he recovered remarkably and Tuhel confirmed that he has a chance to play.
He is probably the best midfielder on his team this season, so it is likely that Chelsea will do everything possible to bring him on the field.
RW – MOUNTING
The 23-year-old recorded a goal and an assist against Leeds on Wednesday to move to double-digit levels in the league in both categories this season.
Tuhel trusts him completely, which makes him one of the first names in the Wembley team.
LW – TIMO WERNER
Tuhel also has the opportunity to play Christian Pulisic from the left wing, but Werner offers a little more pace, which may make it difficult for Alexander-Arnold and this may work in his favor.
Werner made an impression in the semifinals, putting a goal on Mount and must retain his place in the team.
Timo Werner’s extra pace could put him ahead of Christian Pulisic
ST – KAY KHAVERTS
This may be the biggest call for Tuhel. Romelu Lukaku has scored three goals in his last two games, suggesting he is in form at the right time,
However, Havertz is the best player of the big game, having already scored many Cup finals for Chelsea. With that in mind, this could make Lukaku content with a place on the bench.
Chelsea predict XI for Saturday’s FA Cup final at Wembley
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