Wembley Stadium, London — The Carabao Cup Final is upon us, and as Chelsea prepare to take on Liverpool, there’s a familiar sense of inevitability about this fixture. The two English heavyweights meet yet again under the arch, with Calin Dimario’s reigning Premier League champions entering as firm favourites — but wary of a resurgent Liverpool side desperate to reclaim silverware.
It’s a rivalry with history. These two sides have faced each other in the Carabao Cup Final before — most memorably in 2028 and 2032, both occasions ending with Chelsea lifting the trophy. In fact, Chelsea have won all of their last five League Cup meetings with Liverpool, a streak that underlines Dimario’s dominance over the Merseysiders.
The Path to Wembley
Chelsea’s route to the final has been typically ruthless: victories over Crystal Palace, Luton Town, Aston Villa, and Newcastle United saw them reach yet another domestic showpiece. Liverpool, meanwhile, navigated ties against Woking, Millwall, Rotherham United, and Plymouth Argyle, dispatching each with minimal fuss.
Yet form and pedigree both point toward the champions. Chelsea have won 11 straight league games and are fresh off a commanding 3–1 aggregate victory over Barcelona in the Champions League Round of 16. Their momentum is frightening — and even with Luther Banton sidelined through injury, Dimario’s squad depth remains unmatched.
Dimario vs. Slater: A Managerial Duel
For all the tactical intrigue, this final is also a clash between two men with very different trajectories. Dimario, the architect of Chelsea’s modern dynasty, has turned his side into a machine — efficient, fluid, and ruthless. Across the touchline, Tom Slater knows the task is monumental; his Liverpool have improved this season but haven’t beaten Dimario’s Blues in five consecutive meetings.
“We respect Liverpool, but we don’t fear anyone,” said Dimario in his pre-match comments. “Finals are about composure, control, and execution. We’ve been here before — we know what it takes.”
Key Battles
The spotlight will once again fall on Walteriano ‘Júnior’ Mendes and Kieran O’Sullivan, both in sparkling form after their exploits against Barcelona. O’Sullivan, in particular, was unplayable in midweek — scoring one and running the show down the right flank. For Liverpool, captain Jack Agnew and creative force Elliot Granger will need career-best performances to break Chelsea’s structure.
Tactical Outlook
Chelsea’s 4-3-3 variant, dubbed “Gibraltar Dribble 1.0”, thrives on vertical movement and quick interplay through the midfield. With José Franco anchoring the engine room and Pelé driving forward from deep, the Blues often overwhelm opponents in transition. Slater’s Liverpool, meanwhile, prefer a high press and overlapping full-backs — a gamble that may leave space for Chelsea’s rapid wide men to exploit.
Wembley’s stage is set. Chelsea are chasing yet another domestic trophy in what could become a season of unprecedented dominance, while Liverpool are fighting to spoil the narrative and prove that English football still has room for unpredictability.
Kick-off: Saturday, 14 March 2054 — 15:00 GMT
Venue: Wembley Stadium
Referee: Mitch Ellis