Chelsea handed little known advantage for Carabao Cup final vs Liverpool, it could give them the edge

Chelsea take on Liverpool at Wembley with the first piece of domestic silverware of the season up for grabs in the form of the Carabao Cup.

Both sides take a break from Premier League action as all attention for both clubs switches to the first cup final of the campaign.

For Liverpool, it gives the Anfield club the chance to start Jurgen Klopp's swansong as boss with at least one trophy before the German departs at the end of the season after a glittering spell in charge.

And Chelsea can add some silverware to what has been a hugely disappointing campaign for the Stamford Bridge side, which sits in the middle of the Premier League table and way off the Champions League spots despite vast investment over the last 18 months.

With the Anfield side sitting top of the Premier League and Chelsea enduring a very poor campaign by their high standards, it is no surprise to see Liverpool installed as favourites by the bookmakers to triumph in Sunday afternoon's encounter at Wembley.

It is something which Chelsea boss Pochettino has even acknowledged in his pre-match press conference, saying: "For me, Liverpool are favourites because they have the experience to compete like a team and be involved in different finals.

"For many of our players, it's maybe their first final, so that's why I'd make them favourites. He's (Klopp) one of the best, with Pep, coaches in the world. He's clever enough.

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"He knows that when you play a final, circumstances can happen. If they are not favourites, we are not favourites. They have the experience to compete like a team and be involved in different finals."

Opposite number Klopp meanwhile has dismissed the idea that his side are favourites, telling club media: "We know what our people are able to do, but the Chelsea people will be looking forward to it as well.

"But everybody knows, a final, there is no favourite, it starts at nil and for each little advantage you want to have, you have to work incredibly hard."

Though the bookies and Chelsea themselves may well believe Liverpool are the favourites, Pochettino's side have been handed an advantage ahead of the final.

The Blues will have the 'home' advantage as they have been selected for the home dressing room at Wembley and the positives which come from it.

This has been achieved purely because of the London side coming first alphabetically.

But you take whatever advantage you can for a cup final, no matter how small it is.

Topics: Carabao Cup, Chelsea, Liverpool, Football

John McDougall