The Reds and the Blues have battled their way through multiple rounds of competition to find themselves on the precipice of lifting the first major silverware of the English football season. The pair will meet in a replay of the 2022 final. With the score level at 0-0 in that match after 120 minutes – and the 2 sides having had 3 goals ruled out between them – it ended in truly remarkable fashion. With all 10 outfield players for both sides converting their spot-kicks in the resulting penalty shoot-out, it came down to the 2 goalkeepers to settle the tie; Liverpool’s Caoimhín Kelleher found the back of the net, but Chelsea counterpart Kepa Arrizabalaga could only send his effort sailing over the crossbar, in a dramatic climax to what had been a pulsating encounter.
Their encounters have often been tight, tense affairs in recent years; that same season the pair also met in the FA Cup final, ending in the same result as Liverpool triumphed on penalties after a 0-0 draw. The last time either side claimed an edge over the other in regulation time was 8 meetings ago in March 2021, in which Chelsea came away from Anfield with a 1-0 victory. They’ll have the chance to size each other up ahead of the showpiece when they meet on Wednesday 31 January.
They’ve had contrasting fortunes in the league this season, with Liverpool flying high in the title race while the Blues have languished in mid-table. Chelsea were imperious as they overturned a 1-0 deficit in their semifinal with Middlesbrough with a stunning 6-1 win at Stamford Bridge, however.
Liverpool who triumphed 3-2 on aggregate over fellow Premier League side Fulham in their semifinal, will be anxiously awaiting the return of star Mohamed Salah. The forward suffered a hamstring tear while on international duty with Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations. Salah has racked up 14 goals and 8 assists in the Premier League this season, so his presence for the Reds will be invaluable if he’s able to play.
Adult tickets for the final range from GBP £150 through to £41. Each club has its own procedure for selling tickets to qualifying fans. You can find more Carabao Cup final ticket information here.
