Chelsea face Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final on February 25 in the first major domestic final of the English football season.
This is a repeat of the final of two years ago at Wembley Stadium, when Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher scored the winning penalty in the shootout after a 0-0 draw. The Reds also defeated Chelsea on spot-kicks in the FA Cup final in the same season.
Jurgen Klopp’s side could win four trophies this season, which would be quite the way for the German manager to mark his final few months in charge of the Reds. Chelsea, meanwhile, are seeking their first piece of silverware in the era of Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital’s ownership.
The winner of today’s final will also be assured of a place in the UEFA Europa Conference League qualifying playoff for 2024/25. While Liverpool are firmly expected to qualify for the UEFA Champions League given they sit top of the Premier League table at present, Chelsea, who are 10th, have no such guarantees about European football next season.
The Sporting News is following Chelsea vs. Liverpool live, providing score updates, commentary and highlights as they happen.
MORE: Where to watch the 2024 Carabao Cup final
Chelsea vs Liverpool live score
| 1st Half | Goalscorers | |
| Chelsea | — | |
| Liverpool | — |
Confirmed lineups:
Chelsea (4-2-3-1, right to left): 28. Djordje Petrovic (GK) — 27. Malo Gusto, 2. Axel Disasi, 26. Levi Colwill, 21. Ben Chilwell — 8. Enzo Fernandez, 25. Moises Caicedo — 20. Cole Palmer, 23. Conor Gallagher, 7. Raheem Sterling — 15. Nicolas Jackson
Liverpool (4-3-3, right to left): 62. Caoimhin Kelleher (GK) — 84. Conor Bradley, 5. Ibrahima Konate, 4. Virgil van Djik, 26. Andrew Robertson — 10. Alexis Mac Allister, 3. Wataru Endo, 38. Ryan Gravenberch — 19. Harvey Elliot, 18. Cody Gakpo, 7. Luis Diaz
Chelsea vs Liverpool live updates, highlights, and commentary
45 mins prior to kickoff: Just how significant will the absence of Salah and Nunez be today? Liverpool were excellent in the second half against Luton Town without those two, but this is a very different task away from Anfield. Chelsea going with the same side that drew at Man City isn’t a surprise, but what’s next for Thiago Silva, who isn’t even in the matchday squad?
Team news
It’s confirmed: Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez are OUT of the Carabao Cup final. Liverpool instead have Harvey Elliott, Cody Gakpo, and Luis Diaz in attack. Dominik Szoboszlai and Trent Alexander-Arnold have also failed to make the squad.
Chelsea stick with Djordje Petrovic in goal, even though Robert Sanchez is fit enough for the bench. Thiago Silva is not even in the matchday squad.
1 hour 15 mins prior to kickoff: The big question for Reds fans is how many of their injured players will be available today. Social media has been awash with rival fans declaring victory in the game, either because Salah and Nunez are definitely out, or definitely in. Either way, Jurgen Klopp seemed cheerful enough as he inspected the pitch.
👋 Morning, @LFC! 🔴#EFL | #CarabaoCupFinal pic.twitter.com/onxLSgPrXg
— Carabao Cup (@Carabao_Cup) February 25, 2024
1 hour 30 mins prior to kickoff: Liverpool might be battling something of an injury crisis at the moment, but the hope for the Reds is that Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez, and Dominik Szoboszlai will all be fit to start today’s game. That would only underline their tag as favourites to win this final against a Chelsea team they thrashed 4-1 in league play a little over three weeks ago.
2 hours prior to kickoff: Who will win the first major domestic trophy of the English season? We’ll find out today. Let’s just hope it’s not another goalless draw between these teams at Wembley Stadium!
Let’s. Create. History. 🏆
🔵 @ChelseaFC 🆚 @LFC 🔴#EFL | #CarabaoCupFinal pic.twitter.com/myw3a9yPdL
— Carabao Cup (@Carabao_Cup) February 23, 2024
Chelsea vs Liverpool kick off time
This Carabao Cup final clash takes place at Wembley Stadium in London, UK and kicks off on Sunday, February 25 at 3:00 p.m. local time.
Here’s how that time translates across some of the major territories:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| USA | Sun, Feb. 25 | 10:00 a.m. ET |
| Canada | Sun, Feb. 25 | 10:00 a.m. ET |
| UK | Sun, Feb. 25 | 3:00 p.m. GMT |
| Australia | Mon, Feb. 26 | 2:00 a.m. AEDT |
| India | Sun, Feb. 25 | 8:30 p.m. IST |
Chelsea vs Liverpool lineups, team news
Mauricio Pochettino is still without six first-team players ahead of this clash and the Argentinian coach has kept the same team that started the 1-1 Premier League draw at Manchester City last time out. Thiago Silva is not even in the matchday squad.
Chelsea (4-2-3-1, right to left): Petrovic (GK) — Gusto, Disasi, Colwill, Chilwell — Fernandez, Caicedo — Palmer, Gallagher, Sterling — Jackson.
Chelsea subs (9): Sanchez, Bettinelli, Chalobah, Gee, Gilchrist, Tauriainen, Madueke, Mudryk, Nkunku
Klopp opted for caution in his starting XI as Liverpool battled back to secure a 4-1 midweek Premier League win over Luton Town. However, his injury picture is unchanged.
Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez and Dominik Szoboszlai were not risked at Anfield, but none are in the matchday squad at Wembley. Key defender Trent Alexander-Arnold also missed out due to a knee injury.
Liverpool (4-3-3 right to left): Kelleher (GK) — Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson — Mac Allister, Endo, Gravenberch — Elliott, Gakpo, Diaz.
Liverpool subs (9): Adrian, Gomez, Tsimikas, Clark, McConnell, Koumas, Danns, Quansah, Nyoni.
Chelsea vs Liverpool live stream, TV channel
Here’s how to watch this Carabao Cup final match across selected areas of the world’s major regions:
| Region | TV | Streaming |
| USA | — | ESPN+ |
| Canada | — |
DAZN |
| UK | Sky Sport Main Event, Sky Sports Football | Sky GO, Now TV |
| Australia | beIN Sports 3 | beIN Sports Connect |
| India | — | FanCode |
