Match points: Chelsea v Liverpool
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Key battles
Kai Havertz v Virgil van Dijk
The scorer of winners in the Champions League and Club World Cup finals, Havertz provided a contrast with Romelu Lukaku's anonymous display at Crystal Palace with a hugely influential performance as a false nine against Lille, dropping off intelligently into midfield. That means van Dijk must watch out for runners from wide positions.
N’Golo Kante v Jordan Henderson
Kante was back to his best in Tuesday's win over Lille, his ball-winning ability creating Chelsea's second goal and last season's Champions League underlined his status as big-game player. But Henderson's passing was outstanding when Liverpool beat Norwich last week. He is the sole survivor of their last League Cup-winning side in 2012.
Antonio Rudiger v Mohamed Salah
Rudiger has arguably been Chelsea's finest player of the Thomas Tuchel era. The man of the match in the Club World Cup final has an even more important role to play today, as wing-back Marcos Alonso proved incapable of stopping Salah last month. The Egyptian has scored more goals against Chelsea than he did for them, including two already this season.
Key statistics
10 YEARS
since Liverpool won a domestic cup.
64
minutes Mohamed Salah has played for Liverpool in the League Cup.
160
minutes Mohamed Salah has played for Chelsea in the League Cup.
2 WINS
for Chelsea on penalties in this season’s League Cup.
5
cup finals in under a year for Thomas Tuchel.
