Chelsea vs Liverpool combined XI: Carabao Cup final starting team

Liverpool's English defender Trent Alexander-Arnold (L) vies with Chelsea's English midfielder Mason Mount (R) during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on August 28, 2021. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images) /

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LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 02: Christian Pulisic of Chelsea scores their side’s second goal during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on January 02, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /

Chelsea will meet Liverpool for the third time this season on Sunday at Wembley Stadium. The iconic venue will play host to a 2022 Carabao Cup final that features two of the world heavyweights with star-studded starting XIs on each side. There hasn’t been anything to separate the two teams in the previous match-ups this season as they drew both contests, 1-1 and 2-2 respectively. Nevertheless, this game is for all of the marbles and a winner must be crowned.

Thomas Tuchel and his Blues are looking to capture their third trophy of the year. They’ve already won the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup, the EFL Cup represents one of their three remaining opportunities to lift silverware. Meanwhile, Liverpool is searching for its first. The Reds haven’t lifted a trophy this year, but the Carabao Cup represents its first shot at doing so. Jurgen Klopp’s men—unlike Chelsea—are still in the hunt for the Premier League title, as well, so that gives them an extra boost on the silverware front. Ahead of the highly anticipated battle for the EFL Cup trophy though, we’re going to take a look at the best combined XI between the two sides.

Important: There are two crucial reminders before we get into the list that we must address. First, this combined XI will only feature players who are match fit right now. This means stars like Ben Chilwell, Reece James (he only returned to training a few days ago after months out of the team, he’s not match fit) and Diogo Jota are excluded. Second, the formation I’ve chosen is a 4-3-3. The Blues have shown an ability to line up in this shape lately and it’s the Reds’ go-to formation.

Here is the combined XI of both Chelsea and Liverpool ahead of Sunday’s Carabao Cup final:

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