Carabao Cup final: How Chelsea can defeat Liverpool

Former Arsenal star Paul Merson is rooting for Chelsea to defeat Liverpool when they meet in the Carabao Cup final this weekend.

Merson believes the Blues can capitalize on the Reds injury woes to win the Carabao Cup final at Wembley.

The two club will battle it out for the first trophy of the season in a rematch of the 2022 final, which Liverpool emerged winners through penalties.

The Reds are currently without a host of their first-team players including Alisson Becker, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Curtis Jones and Diogo Jota.

Speaking on how Chelsea should play against Liverpool, Merson told Sky Sports: “Playing against Man City suited Chelsea in the draw last weekend. You know it is going to leave gaps at the back. You always get a chance against Chelsea — if you pick that right pass on the counter, you are going to cause major problems.

“I don’t think that is the case against Liverpool. The Reds will be more shrewd about Chelsea’s counter-attack. Chelsea have to beat Liverpool’s press. Arsenal beat it umpteen times the Emirates the other week with Jorginho in the team.

“I’m not sure if Chelsea has that Jorginho figure in the team. It has Enzo Fernández — if he can play the same as Jorginho did that day for Arsenal, then it swings the advantage to Chelsea. If Curtis Jones isn’t fit, then I think Chelsea win that midfield battle.”