“We know what’s coming,” writes Thomas Tuchel, the Chelsea manager, in his notes in the matchday magazine that will go on sale at Wembley at Saturday’s FA Cup final. “Liverpool will come at you with full speed, high intensity and the highest quality.”
Tuchel knows what’s coming as acutely as any coach working in elite football because he has been taking on Jurgen Klopp, his German compatriot for the last 13 years, on and off, scrapping in the Bundesliga, pitting wits in knockout games and most recently negotiating gripping stalemates.
His Chelsea have spent more time sharing a pitch with Liverpool than any other team this season. The encouraging news for Tuchel, ahead of what he describes as a daunting task, is that Chelsea have withstood the Liverpool juggernaut very capably compared with most others confronted with it.
In January at Stamford Bridge, Liverpool came at Chelsea with all the maximum intensity and speed Tuchel identifies. They were 2-0 up barely a quarter of the way through what was, at the stage, a meeting between clubs separated by a point at second and third in the Premier League. Chelsea recovered to draw 2-2, the only English side other than Manchester City to have taken so much as a point at home against Klopp’s dynamic travellers in 2022.
Back in August, Chelsea held Liverpool 1-1 at Anfield in the Premier League and did so reduced to 10 men, after Reece James’s sending-off, for half the contest. Viewed through the lens of the momentum Klopp’s team have built up since then, it looks an outstanding result. Only four Premier League visitors have gone to Anfield this season and escaped with a draw. No English opponent has won there this term.
Liverpool beat Chelsea in League Cup final: player ratings
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CHELSEA PLAYER RATINGS: Edouard Mendy - 8. The Senegalese made a series of superb saves, the best of which was a stop from Mane after blocking a Keita shot. His substitution for Kepa in the 120th minute was the most questionable decision of the game. AFP -
Antonio Rudiger - 7. The German was strong on the right side of the back three. He kept a tight rein on Salah and took a physical approach. AFP -
Thiago Silva - 6. The Brazilian produced an efficient performance and cleared a Salah chip close to the line. His lack of pace was rarely exposed. PA -
Trevoh Chalobah - 5. The 22-year-old was given a working over by Diaz. He was grateful for Mendy on a couple of occasions. Reuters -
Cesar Azpilicueta - 6. The Spaniard set up a fine early chance for Pulisic and helped keep Robertson from marauding. He limped off in the 56th minute and was replaced by James. AFP -
Mateo Kovacic - 7. The Croat engaged the Liverpool midfield with gusto. Not only was he rugged but he looked to create at every opportunity. He was replaced by Jorginho in the 105th minute. AFP -
N’Golo Kante - 6. The Frenchman was his usual relentless self but his impact was largely destructive. His passing going forward tended to be wayward. PA -
Marcos Alonso - 7. The Spaniard kept one eye on Salah but always looked for the chance to get forward and pin back Alexander-Arnold. PA -
Christian Pulisic - 7. The American should have opened the scoring early on and his link work took the eye rather than his shooting. He created a splendid chance for Mount with an exquisite ball. Withdrawn for Werner in the 74th minute. EPA -
Mason Mount - 3. The 23-year-old missed two golden chances either side of half time and wasted another opportunity later on. Had he been more clinical, Chelsea would have won at a canter. He was taken off for Lukaku in the 74th minute. AP -
Kai Havertz - 7. The German held the ball up effectively and provided chances for his colleagues. He was more of a provider than a scoring threat. AFP -
Reece James (Azpilicueta 56') - 5. The 22-year-old replaced Azpilicueta in the 56th minute and found it hard to get to the pace after returning from injury. He was in no-man’s land for Matip’s disallowed goal. AFP -
Romelu Lukaku (Mount 74') - 7. The Belgian came on for Mount in the 74th minute. He was very unfortunate to have a goal ruled out for offside and made his presence felt. PA -
Timo Werner (Pulisic 74') - 5. The German joined the action in the 74th minute for Pulisic. He provided width but showed a tendency to drift offside. AFP -
Jorginho (Kovacic 105') - 6. The 30-year-old entered the fray in the 105th minute for Kovacic. He might have been expected to be more dynamic against weary opponents. Reuters -
Kepa Arrizabalaga (Mendy 120') - 1. The goalkeeper replaced Mendy in the 120th minute in a gamble that backfired badly. He did not save a penalty and missed his own spot-kick, as might be expected when coming on cold after sitting and watching for two hours. AFP -
LIVERPOOL PLAYER RATINGS: Caoimhin Kelleher - 8. The Irishman made a series of fine saves, organised his defence and was adept in his distribution. His winning penalty was a bonus after a superb performance. Reuters -
Trent Alexander-Armstrong - 6. The 23-year-old was troubled by the Chelsea attack, who exploited the space behind him. Dangerous going forward but his efforts came to nothing. AFP -
Joel Matip - 6. The 30-year-old was unfortunate to have a goal ruled out on a questionable decision. He was solid defensively until substituted by Konate in the 90th minute. EPA -
Virgil van Dijk - 8. The Dutchman was a calming influence at the back and his passing propelled Liverpool forward. He read the game superbly. Reuters -
Fabinho - 7. The Brazilian took a while to earn parity in the midfield but he grew in stature as the minutes passed. Strong in the tackle and wise in distribution. PA -
Jordan Henderson - 6. The captain was combative and contributed more on the defensive side than going forward. He made way for Elliott with 11 minutes left in normal time. AFP -
Naby Keita - 6. The Guinean was not expecting to play until Thiago was injured in the warm-up. He struggled to get to the pace early but battled hard. He departed the game in the 80th minute for Milner. EPA -
Mohamed Salah - 7. The Egyptian was a menace to the defence, especially in the first half. His contest with Rudiger was compelling viewing. AFP -
Sadio Mane - 7. The Senegalese had a superb chance but it was saved by his countryman Mendy. His pace worried Chelsea until he was withdrawn in the 80th minute for Jota. AP -
Luis Diaz - 7. The Colombian made Chalobah’s afternoon miserable and created space for his team-mates. He forced Mendy to save and tracked back, too. Tiring, he was replaced by Origi in the 97th minute. Reuters -
Harvey Elliott (Henderson 79') - 7. The 19-year-old became the youngest Liverpool player to compete at Wembley when he came on for Henderson in the 79th minute. He did not look out of place on the big stage. AFP -
James Milner (Keita 80') - 6. The 36-year-old is the oldest Liverpool player to feature at Wembley. He came on for Keita in the 80th minute and gave his usual rugged performance. PA -
Diogo Jota (Mane 80') - 6. The Portuguese joined the action in the 80th minute for Mane but was less effective than the man he replaced. Lots of effort for little return. PA -
Ibrahima Konate (Matip 90') - 6. The Frenchman came on for Matip in the 90th minute and held his own in the physical contest with Lukaku. Reuters
But most pertinent for relieving Chelsea’s feeling they are underdogs this weekend are the two hours Tuchel’s men combated Liverpool at Wembley in February, the first of the season’s two major cup finals between red and royal blue.
The League Cup had to be settled by penalty shoot-out after a lively, chance-filled afternoon had somehow finished without goals through 90 minutes and through extra time. The shoot-out was immaculate, 21 efforts scored, before, deep into sudden death, Kepa Arrizabalaga, who had been brought on by Tuchel as the specialist goalkeeper for penalties, put his spot-kick over the crossbar.
On that detail were the foundations of a possible Liverpool Quadruple built, and the strongest tribute to Klopp’s management and the energy and appetite within his squad is that what was a fanciful idea – the clean sweep of all the major trophies in a single season – four months ago remains a live one with just over two weeks of the season remaining.
A Cup double can be achieved on Saturday, the Premier League could yet be snatched from Manchester City, albeit that would need City, three points ahead with two games left, to slip up. Liverpool will go to Paris on May 28 as narrow favourites to beat Real Madrid in the Champions League final.
Chelsea 2 Liverpool 2: player ratings
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Trevoh Chalobah - 4 The 22-year-old made an awful mistake and presented Mane with the first goal when he elected to head the ball rather than use his left foot. He made a good challenge to deny Salah and was replaced by Jorginho with 20 minutes to go. Reuters -
Thiago Silva - 7 The 37-year-old does not have a lot of pace but he used space effectively to cut out the danger. He was untroubled by Jota. EPA -
Antonio Rudiger - 5 The German went missing for Salah’s goal but won a robust challenge that led to Pulisic’s equaliser. There were spells when the game passed him by. AFP -
Cesar Azpilicueta - 7 The Spaniard was smashed in the face by Mane’s elbow immediately after kickoff and given a tough time by the striker afterwards. He stuck at the job. Reuters -
Mateo Kovacic - 8 The Croat took a while to get a foothold in the match but grew in stature throughout the first half. His splendid goal sparked Chelsea’s revival and he was excellent in the second period. AP -
Mason Mount - 5 The 22-year-old was frustrated by his inability to find space. He was not as influential as normal and flirted with disaster with a silly flick of the foot at the prone Tsimikas. EPA -
Christian Pulisic - 7 The American should have scored when presented with an early chance but took his goal beautifully. He was moved to wing-back as Chelsea changed their tactics. EPA -
SUBS: Jorginho - 6 The 30-year-old joined the action with 20 minutes to go for Chalobah. He gave the midfield a more secure look. Reuters -
Trent Alexander-Arnold - 5 The 23-year-old was fortunate to get away with a huge early mistake but his distribution was mainly good in the first half. A poor pass contributed to Chelsea’s equaliser. EPA -
Ibrahima Konate - 6 The Frenchman’s positioning was sometimes questionable but he was strong in the tackle and in the air. He battled on even after a knock on the head. EPA -
Virgil Van Dijk - 4 The Dutchman seemed disconnected from Konate. He was troubled by Havertz and jogged back for Pulisic’s goal. A poor performance. EPA -
James Milner - 4 The 35-year-old made a great challenge in the area to stop Mount but gave away a poor free kick that led to Chelsea’s first goal. He became more ineffective as the game went on and was replaced by Keita in the 69th minute. AFP -
Jordan Henderson - 4 The captain toiled away but to little effect. His passing was slipshod and he was left flatfooted by the Chelsea midfield. Reuters -
Sadio Mane - 7 The Senegalese got away with a yellow card for an ugly elbow on Azpilicueta after six seconds. To add to Chelsea’s chagrin, he capitalised on Chalobah’s error to score the opener. A sparky, aggressive display from the striker, who was replaced by Jones in the final minute AP -
SUBS: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - 6 The 28-year-old replaced Jota with 21 minutes to go and brought an injection of energy to the team but produced little threat. PA -
Naby Keita - 6 The Guinean joined the fray for Milner in the 69th minute. He was busy and matched up well with the Chelsea midfield. AP -
Curtis Jones - 6 The 20-year-old came on in the 90th minute for Mane for his first appearance in two months. It was a welcome return to action. Reuters
“We can reflect on good games against them this season,” said Tuchel, entitled to be proud of bettering the record of City – who lost the FA Cup semi-final to Liverpool and shared two 2-2 draws in the league – against Klopp’s team, and of guiding Chelsea through the last two months amid the destabilising background of the club’s compulsory sale. Long-term owner Roman Abramovich was sanctioned by the UK government for his perceived links to Russia president Vladimir Putin.
“The League Cup final at Wembley was a fantastic game for both teams and we needed 22 penalties to find a winner,” Tuchel observed. “The home match against them in the league was a great match, when we came back to draw 2-2, and the 1-1 draw earlier in the season, at Anfield, was also a brilliant game.
“So there is a record of very, very close games between these two sides. That should give us courage and also give us a clear picture of what is needed, physically, mentally, in every sense, to win. To say it out loud – we need everything to be at its highest level.”
One setback to that objective is the injury sustained by midfielder Mateo Kovacic during Chelsea’s 3-0 victory over Leeds United on Wednesday. The Croatian will likely miss the Wembley date. N’Golo Kante is also a significant doubt. Liverpool have an equivalent absence, with anchor midfielder Fabinho ruled out because of a hamstring problem.
Liverpool 1 Chelsea 1: player ratings
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LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Alisson Becker - 7: The Brazilian had to be watchful and quick off his line when Chelsea tried to get behind the back four. A good performance overall and the goalkeeper had no chance of stopping the goal. Reuters -
Trent Alexander-Arnold - 6: The full back showed his usual range of passing, picking out Henderson in the area in the first half. Some of his second-half crossing required more precision. Reuters -
Joel Matip - 6: The centre back was targeted by Lukaku but held up well. He hit the woodwork in the first-half scramble that led to the penalty. Reuters -
Virgil van Dijk - 6: The Dutchman is improving with every game after his long layoff. Some of his passing was a little scattergun but he is a reassuring presence at the back. Reuters -
Andrew Robertson - 6: The Scot was not at his best at either end of the pitch. He put in his usual shift before being replaced by Tsimikas with four minutes to go. Getty -
Fabinho - 6: The Brazilian was over-run in the midfield in the first half but found things easier against 10 men in the second period. A bit short on creativity. AFP -
Harvey Elliot - 6: The 18-year-old showed no fear and took on plenty of responsibility. He lacked composure in the box when left free to shoot in the first half. Getty -
Jordan Henderson - 6: The captain should have scored when he got behind the defence in the first half. He worked hard but was replaced by Thiago with 16 minutes to go when Liverpool needed more craft to break down Chelsea. Getty -
Mohamed Salah - 7: The Egyptian was beginning to look frustrated as half-time approached but he dispatched the penalty with aplomb. He was swarmed upon by defenders whenever the ball came near. Reuters -
Roberto Firmino - 6: The Brazilian started well but picked up an injury and was replaced by Jota three minutes before half time. AFP -
Sadio Mane - 6: Things did not click for the Senegalese but his effort could not be faulted. He looked frustrated at times. AFP -
SUBS: Diogo Jota - 6: Joined the game in the 42nd minute when Firmino limped off. The Portuguese found space hard to come by with Chelsea sitting so deep. AFP -
Thiago Alcantara - 6: The 30-year-old entered the fray in the 74th minute for Henderson. He was unable to unlock the packed defence. Getty -
Kostas Tsimikas - 6: The Greek was given a taste of the action in the 86th minute when replacing Robertson. Sent in one cross that dropped onto the roof of the net. Getty -
CHELSEA RATINGS: Edouard Mendy - 8: The Senegalese made a succession of second-half saves to ensure his team left Anfield with a point. He was beaten just once, by Salah’s unstoppable penalty. AFP -
Cesar Azpilicueta - 8: The Spaniard showed great awareness to deny Mane a scoring chance in the first half. The captain made a number of important interceptions. Reuters -
Andreas Christensen - 8: The Dane produced a masterful performance, especially in the second half when the pressure was on. He rarely looked flustered and used the ball well. Reuters -
Antonio Rudiger - 7: The German had some difficult moments in the first period but grew in stature after the break. He a kept tight rein on Salah. Reuters -
Reece James - 4: The 21-year-old did not get much chance to show his attacking ability. He struggled early on and was sent off for handling on the line in first-half stoppage time. Reuters -
N’Golo Kante - 7: The Frenchman was full of energy, closing down opponents and imposing himself on the midfield. He picked up a knock on the ankle just before half time and was replaced by Kovacic after the break. Getty -
Jorginho - 6: The Brazilian was often involved in quelling the threat of Salah but did not thrive on the ball because of the pace of the game. Taken off for Chalobah with three minutes left. PA -
Marcos Alonso - 6: The Spaniard came under huge pressure from Salah, Alexander-Arnold and Elliott but stuck to his task. He manewas not able to range forward as much as usual. EPA -
Mason Mount - 7: The Englishman showed a brilliant touch to bamboozle Matip. He orchestrated Chelsea’s attack but should have crossed instead of shooting in the first half. Forced to defend in the second half. Getty -
Kai Havertz - 7: The German scored a superb header to put his team in front. He was unfortunate to be replaced by Thiago Silva at half time as Chelsea restructured after the sending off. EPA -
Romelu Lukaku - 6: The Belgian showed flashes of threat but was left to lead the line alone after the sending off. He gave Matip a couple of frights but one threatening run ended when the striker fell over the ball. AFP -
SUBS: Thiago Silva - 7: The 36-year-old came on for the second half at Havertz’s expense. He joined in the rearguard action with gusto and provided an extra level of security. Getty -
Mateo Kovacic - 7: The Croat replaced Kante after the break. He defended stoutly but was unable to make the most of a scoring chance on one of his rare excursions forward. Getty -
Trevoh Chalobah - 6: The 22-year-old had a brief runout, replacing Jorginho with three minutes to go. He looked comfortable joining the massed defence. PA
