Raheem Sterling dropped, Thiago Silva decision, Cole Palmer role -Chelsea XI vs Liverpool [OPINION]

Mauricio Pochettino has the chance to win his first trophy in England when Chelsea take on Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday.

Failing to win any silverware during his time at Tottenham, the Argentine will be hoping to beat Jurgen Klopp’s side at Wembley Stadium to lay down a marker for the rest of his tenure.

“It means a lot for us, the coaching staff to have the possibility to arrive on the final and to challenge a team like Liverpool to win our first title here,” Pochettino said at his pre-match press conference on Friday.

“It’s a dream for us, the coaching staff. And of course, we have 90 minutes to achieve that and yes, we are going to fight. The team is ready, we are going to be very competitive and it is a massive chance for us.”

Team Selection for Carabao Cup Final

Pochettino has a number of tough decisions to make regarding team selection ahead of the final. Robert Sánchez has retuned to full training, Thiago Silva “has a chance” of being involved and Christopher Nkunku is pushing for a start.

Pochettino already knows who he is going to pick out of Djordje Petrovic and Robert Sanchez, although he understandably would not reveal his decision in his press conference. Petrovic, for me, has not done anything wrong and has warranted a place in the team for the final.

The back-four should be Malo Gusto, Axel Disasi, Levi Colwill and Ben Chilwell. Against the speed of the Liverpool attack, Colwill suits this type of game more than Thiago Silva, who could return to the squad after a minor groin problem.The midfield of Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez picks itself essentially. Ahead of them, though, is more up for debate.

Conor Gallagher will once again continue in the No.10 role he has flourished in, in recent weeks. Raheem Sterling did enough against Manchester City and needs to rest today, with Cole Palmer on the opposite flank playing on the side of Nicolas Jackson.

Possible XI: Petrovic; Gusto, Disasi, Colwill, Chilwell; Caicedo, Enzo; Palmer, Gallagher, Nkunku; Jackson.

Reference: football.london