Jurgen Klopp has stated that Liverpool is not the favorites ahead of Sunday’s Carabao Cup final meeting with Chelsea at Wembley Stadium.
Liverpool are now leading the Premier League table and are in position to win the FA Cup, UEFA Europa League, and Carabao Cup in what is now expected to be Klopp’s final season. This is after a transitional 2022–2023 season.
As the Reds enter the second half of the 2023–24 season fighting on four fronts, injuries have started to mount in recent weeks. This weekend’s championship game will be missed by some notable players, including Trent Alexander-Arnold, Diogo Jota, and Alisson Becker.
Due to a recurrence of his hamstring injury sustained at the Africa Cup of Nations, Mohamed Salah is also doubtful for the match against Chelsea.
Despite Liverpool’s 4-1 victory over Chelsea at the end of January, manager Klopp told the media following his team’s resounding victory over Luton Town this week that his team isn’t the favorites against Chelsea.
Will we have a lot of support? Without a doubt,” Klopp stated. “Since we [last] played [Chelsea], they have improved a lot and it will be tricky.”
Chelsea lost to Wolves after losing to Liverpool in January, but they have since won every game in all competitions. They eliminated Aston Villa from the FA Cup and held Premier League leaders Manchester City to a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge.
Similar to Liverpool, though, the Blues have several important players sidelined with injuries going into the Wembley final. Due to a groin injury, veteran center-back Thiago Silva is doubtful. Additionally, captain Reece James and starting goalie Robert Sanchez will be out for some time.
