Topic: MATCH PREVIEW - SPYIN' KOP - EFL Cup Final, Chelsea v Liverpool, 25th Feb, 15:00

[Nick110581]

The Team we put out last Wednesday can beat Chelsea,
however would it be nice to have Nunez or Salah taking a seat on the bench even if not fit to actually be used?
I guess it would affect how Poch approaches the initial 90 minutes? (assuming he will face one of Salah or Nunez the  in extra time]
It depends if that's the approach Klopp wants to face (I assume it would be a more attack minded Chelsea team if our bench looks strong).

If they aren't fit then zero point being on bench.

[disgraced cake]

Even if Salah and Nunez don't make it we should still be favourites to win IMO, not that the term particularly means much, but it would be very disappointing to lose to this Chelsea side, their weakest since probably the mid 90s. You only have to look at some of the teams who have beaten them in the league this season and remember they haven't beaten anyone of note to get to the final. I was actually surprised how bad they were at Anfield and we were missing players that night.

I'm pretty confident the same team as Wednesday can beat them with Konate and possibly Robertson coming in. If Endo/Mac are on it the rest I think will take care of itself but we'll need a strong performance from Kelleher and hope Diaz isn't as wasteful as he was at times before scoring on Wednesday. The big pitch at Wembley has suited him before though. First goal is big but even if we concede it chances are we come back. Hope Nunez/Salah can make the bench.

[Darren G]

I know that this thread is about the final, but if anybody is interested, currently streaming on youtube: Road To The League Cup Final: EVERY Match in Full | Liverpool FC

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgKmhOSiSm8

[Kloppage Time]

If they aren't fit then zero point being on bench.

I've certainly seen it done though, where a teams just returned from injury best player has sat on the bench watching his team lose

[Nick110581]

I've certainly seen it done though, where a teams just returned from injury best player has sat on the bench watching his team lose

Klopp won’t do that.

[killer-heels]

No need to risk Szoboszlai, Nunez or Salah. More important games to come.

[RyanBabel19]

“If they [LFC] are better well done and we congratulate them, but be fair in every single decision. The pressure is about not delivering the job for Klopp, no, the pressure is not to be part of the [hype]. You know?..

“We want to win because of Chelsea. But of course Liverpool want to win. But please, not another party involved in the game will be part of the celebration that Klopp is leaving, no? That is important.”

Attempting to get the officials onside before the games even kicked off

[Nick110581]

No need to risk Szoboszlai, Nunez or Salah. More important games to come.

If they fit then they will be involved but looks unlikely.

[DangerScouse]

No need to risk Szoboszlai, Nunez or Salah. More important games to come.

This is the next game which happens to be a final and coupd turn out to be our best chance of a trophy this season.

[Nick110581]

This is the next game which happens to be a final and coupd turn out to be our best chance of a trophy this season.

So what shall we do ? Play unfit players with another 6 matches before the international break ?

[kop306]

No need to risk Szoboszlai, Nunez or Salah. More important games to come.

100% agree dont risk any players with injury now

the league has to be number 1 priority

[Dave McCoy]

Might not have many options on the bench but think we have enough even if it's the same lineup as Wednesday to get this done. Looking forward to it. Up the Reds!

[Nick110581]

Might not have many options on the bench but think we have enough even if it's the same lineup as Wednesday to get this done. Looking forward to it. Up the Reds!

Think Konate and Robbo come in

[Fromola]

So what shall we do ? Play unfit players with another 6 matches before the international break ?

Extra time has to be factored in as well. It's one thing bringing a player on for 20-30 mins but then that turns to an hour with extra time. Plus potentially a lot of injury time.

[Paul_h]

I'm flying from the United States to London for the game (obviously don't have a ticket for the game). My plane lands at 6AM Sunday at Gatwick and from there I'm going to make my way over to Wembley. I rented an AirBnB blocks away from the stadium so I plan on checking in around 8AM and then I'll go hang around the stadium.

I heard something about a fan area opening at 10AM and I think I saw tickets were being sold for 10 pounds. Will it be possible for me to enter this area if I haven't already bought a ticket, will they sell them on the day? If I read about this correctly, where exactly will this be?

Will a lot of people be staying over in London after the game or will most people head back to Liverpool?

Does anyone have any advice for someone that has never been to England or done anything like this? Should I wear a Liverpool kit or just regular clothing? How essential will it be to have some pounds on me, or will I be able to get by with just a credit card?

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

if you really want a ticket, check stub-hub. Cost about £400 though..
https://www.stubhub.ie/carabao-cup-efl-cup-tickets-london-wembley-stadium-2-25-2024/event/106161200/

mind games from Poch.. trying to influence the ref. before the game.
Should have the book thrown at him..by PGMOL

[reddebs]

My great niece is already down there lucky sod 😁

Oops no she's not she's at Bangor train station on her way 🤦

[John C]

I know we're in for a quadruple, but winning this might be more important than a lot of people think.
Let's see what happens tomorrow and I might explain a bit more 

[Hestoic]

Love it, a Wembley final. Only just starting to really look forward to it now.

Looks like there are no issues with the players who played against Luton so we can probably expect the same team and I think there is more than enough there to win. Really looking forward to watching Bradley play, he just seems to be lifting the fans every time he does.

[lionel_messias]

I know we're in for a quadruple, but winning this might be more important than a lot of people think.
Let's see what happens tomorrow and I might explain a bit more 

Not really for me, it's still the EFL and we are in the driving seat for the PL title,
provided we hold up for the whole of March.

[Nick110581]

Extra time has to be factored in as well. It's one thing bringing a player on for 20-30 mins but then that turns to an hour with extra time. Plus potentially a lot of injury time.

It does.

If they do make it then maybe only one starts.

[ScubaSteve]

We need Salah and/or Nunez out for this at a minimum. Elliott is not Salah’s replacement and was floating around in midfield.

We will get beat tomorrow if we start the same XI as we did against Luton. That first half was the worst I’ve seen from us in a while.

If there’s any chance they can play, id rather they rest for Southampton mid week than a final. Could be the only chance we get to have a parade for Klopp (and the win)

[FlashingBlade]

I know we're in for a quadruple, but winning this might be more important than a lot of people think.
Let's see what happens tomorrow and I might explain a bit more 

You've been tipped the wink WW3 starts Monday.

[ScubaSteve]

As a side note, if Chelsea win this will they get European footy next season??

[BoRed]

You've been tipped the wink WW3 starts Monday.

Either that or another pandemic.

[Crosby Nick]

I know we're in for a quadruple, but winning this might be more important than a lot of people think.
Let's see what happens tomorrow and I might explain a bit more 

Meteor strike?

[Shankly!Shankly!]

I'm flying from the United States to London for the game (obviously don't have a ticket for the game). My plane lands at 6AM Sunday at Gatwick and from there I'm going to make my way over to Wembley. I rented an AirBnB blocks away from the stadium so I plan on checking in around 8AM and then I'll go hang around the stadium.

I heard something about a fan area opening at 10AM and I think I saw tickets were being sold for 10 pounds. Will it be possible for me to enter this area if I haven't already bought a ticket, will they sell them on the day? If I read about this correctly, where exactly will this be?

Will a lot of people be staying over in London after the game or will most people head back to Liverpool?

Does anyone have any advice for someone that has never been to England or done anything like this? Should I wear a Liverpool kit or just regular clothing? How essential will it be to have some pounds on me, or will I be able to get by with just a credit card?

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Wembley area will be rammo and fun. But plenty pubs about to watch across London. Liverpool kit is fine anywhere. No need for cash, a lot of places are card only now .

Check your travel, there been a lot of train disruption this week but the tube should be fine.

Have a great trip

[sheepfest]

Excitement is here now for me as the fridge is loaded with beers and the food for the train. Clothes are all sorted and the ticket is on my phone which has never been out of my sight today.

Praying I can sleep now.

Safe trip everyone.

[Marty 85]

Excitement is here now for me as the fridge is loaded with beers and the food for the train. Clothes are all sorted and the ticket is on my phone which has never been out of my sight today.

Praying I can sleep now.

Safe trip everyone.

But is your mate picking you up in a van?

[RedG13]

Excellent OP Zlen.
Excited for this.

[Zlen]

Excellent OP Zlen.
Excited for this.

Thank you.
Likewise.

Hope its a good game.

[robertobaggio37]

Excitement is here now for me as the fridge is loaded with beers and the food for the train. Clothes are all sorted and the ticket is on my phone which has never been out of my sight today.

Praying I can sleep now.

Safe trip everyone.

Enjoy the trip mate!

[Anthony]

My great niece is already down there lucky sod 😁

Oops no she's not she's at Bangor train station on her way 🤦

Hope she has a lovely time!

[reddebs]

Hope she has a lovely time!

Thank you mate.  This is the first final she's attended as she couldn't afford the 2022 ones but she never misses a home game.

It'll be her I'm with in Dublin and for the parade 👍

[Jm55]

Buzzing now, bag is packed and everything ready to head off in the morning, had a few of those CBD drinks to help me get off to sleep.

First final for me since Athens so I’m really looking forward to it, if we beat Chelsea with the players we’ve got available it will go down as one of the very best cup wins for me.

[Redknight60]

Was thinking after the two cup finals against this crowd 2 year ago, wouldn't it be nice to just win it comfortably with a party atmosphere for the last 30. Then tried to think of a single final where we had that and couldn't remember one.

In my time as a red, we've played in 19 major finals (95 v Bolton the first), not including super cups and there hasn't been a single comfortable victory. It's probably not going to be pretty as per but we'll win.

[lfc_col]

Not really for me, it's still the EFL and we are in the driving seat for the PL title,
provided we hold up for the whole of March.

Winning this has a few times before got teams to go on and win other things after during the season us included

[nerdster4]

Going to be a tough match . Also a vital match . As fans we can relax a bit after a win with our PL lead cut, city still in the FA and Leverkusen still in the Europa.

Delighted that we can put out a strong back 5 given the current injury crisis .

Out of the 3 maybes , Dom is perhaps most important . An endo Mac Dom midfield is solid enough to win a vital area where Chelsea are stacked .

Our centre backs , their lack of a good number 9, and the klopp factor gives us a great platform to just edge this

[TSC]

I know we're in for a quadruple, but winning this might be more important than a lot of people think.
Let's see what happens tomorrow and I might explain a bit more 

Agreed .  It’s a trophy, notwithstanding the fact a win may galvanise the team for the rest of the season.

[Cesar]

Was thinking after the two cup finals against this crowd 2 year ago, wouldn't it be nice to just win it comfortably with a party atmosphere for the last 30. Then tried to think of a single final where we had that and couldn't remember one.

In my time as a red, we've played in 19 major finals (95 v Bolton the first), not including super cups and there hasn't been a single comfortable victory. It's probably not going to be pretty as per but we'll win.

I think the last time we won a final that was comfortably one sided was the FA Cup in 2001 😅

Before that we have to go back to 1974 v Newcastle maybe??

[Nick110581]

No rumours on Mo or Nunez?