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Liverpool are gearing up for the Carabao Cup final on February 27, their first domestic title match since 2016. The Reds have been one of the best teams in England this season, and are in contention to win a historic continental quadruple.
Jurgen Klopp has won nearly every trophy at Liverpool, but the FA Cup and Carabao Cup have eluded him so far. He could now add the latter to his collection on Sunday.
However, the Reds will have their work cut out against a Chelsea side that have been brilliant in Cup finals under Thomas Tuchel. Moreover, the Reds have failed to beat the Blues in their last three meetings. The Anfield outfit will need their key players to step up this weekend to buck the trend.
On that note, here's a look at five players who could prove key for Liverpool in their upcoming Carabao Cup final against Chelsea.
#5 Andrew Robertson
Andrew Robertson has struggled with a couple of niggling injuries this season, but he remains one of the best players at Anfield. The left-back is a leader at the back, which could be key in the Carabao Cup final.
The Reds do most of their attacking work on the right, thanks to the brilliance of Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah. However, Robertson forms an equally formidable partnership with Sadio Mane on the other flank.
The Scot's lung-bursting runs and accurate deliveries to the penalty box are a key component of the Reds' attack. However, on Sunday, Robertson could be up against Reece James and Hakim Ziyech. Both players are technically adept and can capitalise on the empty spaces left behind by the left-back when he marauds forward.
Nevertheless, due to his defensive discipline and ability to contribute in attack, Robertson might have a big say in the outcome of the Carabao Cup final on Sunday.
#4 Trent Alexander-Arnold
Trent Alexander-Arnold is arguably the best right-back in Europe at the moment. The full-back is already a Liverpool icon, despite being only 23. He has delivered a staggering 15 assists in 26 games across competitions this season.
Since bursting onto the scene in January 2018, the Englishman has evolved into one of the deadliest attacking defenders.
His range of passing and ability to find teammates in a crowded box is nothing short of brilliant. To add to that, he can score from free-kicks and produce wonderful crosses from set-pieces. So it is no surprise that he is currently leading the assists charts in the Premier League with ten.
Liverpool will need Alexander-Arnold to shine in the Carabao Cup final if they hope to stand a chance of winning the trophy.
#3 Sadio Mane
Sadio Mane is one of the few wingers in world football who has been consistently good for the last five years. The Senegalese recently won the AFCON trophy and is looking to get his hands on the Carabao Cup.
Mane has a stellar record against Chelsea, scoring eight goals, the second-most he has netted against a single club in his career in English football.
One of the most selfless players in the game, Mane has evolved into a real team player at Liverpool in recent years.
His eye for goal has always been remarkable, but his role in build-up plays is highly underrated. While he does not have many assists to his name, Mane often runs at defenders, and progresses the ball up the pitch. He also tracks back, and is sometimes the last man tracking the run of his full-back.
The left winger scored twice in the UEFA Super Cup final against Chelsea in 2019, and will look to do the same in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday.
#2 Virgil van Dijk
Virgil van Dijk may have been out with an injury last season, but he is back to his very best now. The Dutchman is one of the first names in the teamsheet, and strikes fear in most attackers in Europe.
The centre-back is an integral part of how Liverpool catch teams off-guard. Van Dijk has an excellent range of passing, and his diagonal passes to Salah and Mane help get the ball up the pitch quickly.
However, all of that comes along with his stellar work at the back. The Dutch international can beat most attackers in a foot race, thanks to his athleticism and incredible physicality. On Sunday, though, he could be up against Kai Havertz and Romelu Lukaku, who could cause problems galore for the Reds.
Nevertheless, Van Dijk is often brilliant in Cup finals. He'll look to continue that in the Carabao Cup against Chelsea on Sunday.
#1 Mohamed Salah
Mohamed Salah has had one of his career-best seasons this campaign, including multiple goal-of-the-season contenders. The Egyptian is exuding brilliance consistently, and will look to do the same in the Carabao Cup final against the Blues.
He recently entered double digits for both goals and assists in the Premier League this season.
The right winger may have lost in the AFCON final with Egypt, but that has not affected his domestic form.
To put his exploits this season into perspective, Salah has 19 goals and ten assists in 24 Premier League games this season. He also has eight goals in seven Champions League games.
Liverpool's talisman has been sensational all season, and all eyes will be on him on Sunday. However, Chelsea have one of the best defences across Europe, so scoring against them could be a challenge for the Egyptian international.
Nevertheless, Salah has scored twice against the Blues this season, and will look to add to that tally in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday.
