Paul Merson suggests Chelsea will win if Jurgen Klopp doesn’t start Liverpool duo today

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This is the biggest game of the season so far for Liverpool and Chelsea as they are set to lock horns in the League Cup final at Wembley on Sunday.

Liverpool fans are desperate for that trophy because this is Jurgen Klopp’s final hurrah, whilst Mauricio Pochettino needs the silverware to shut up any critics.

The big talking point ahead of the game is whether Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez will start given their recent injuries.

The attacking duo were absent for Liverpool’s 4-1 win over Luton Town in midweek, with Paul Merson admitting there will be no ‘fear factor’ if they aren’t named in the starting XI, as he told Soccer Saturday on Sky Sports (24/02/24 at 1:45 pm).

The former Arsenal midfielder is backing Chelsea to win, after their recent turn in form, which includes winning at Aston Villa in the FA Cup and their recent point at Manchester City.

This will still be a different ball game because Liverpool slapped them in the Premier League last time out, but that was at Anfield, not in front of a packed-out Wembley crowd.

All in all, for Paul Merson, the names on the teamsheet before a ball is kicked may well just decide who wins this heavyweight clash.

Will Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez start for Liverpool?

“I seriously think, if Salah doesn’t play and Nunez, then I really think Chelsea have the big advantage,” said Merson.

“I don’t see the fear factor for Chelsea with the other players.”

Liverpool’s injuries

This simply can’t be used as an excuse because clubs up and down the land have had issues, including their opponents at Wembley.

This is all about how you best deal with these setbacks, and in truth, Liverpool are reacting pretty well to it all, as they proved during their win against Luton in midweek.

This is a familiar final because these two played out this story in 2022, only for those matches to be goalless affairs.

You feel if there isn’t an opening in that first half an hour and the game is pretty tight heading into the break, then it will probably head towards the duo cancelling each other out again and going to penalties.