Carabao Cup Final Combined XI: Liverpool dominate with 7 players
It's Carabao Cup final day as Chelsea and Liverpool battle to secure the first piece of domestic silverware this season. Ahead of the showdown at Wembley, we run through the combined XI using their Carabao Cup ratings of those to have made at least three appearances in the competition.
Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool) - 6.62
Occupying the spot between the sticks in the combined XI, Caoimhin Kelleher has been solid in Liverpool's pursuit of the Carabao Cup. Indeed, the Reds shotstopper, who'll start today in place of the injured Alisson, has made 12 saves to help return a WhoScored rating of 6.62.
Conor Bradley (Liverpool) - 6.76
Featuring at right-back in this side, like Kelleher, Conor Bradley is set to feature from the outset at Wembley due to injury to Trent Alexander-Arnold. Bradley was solid in the Carabao Cup semi-final meetings with Fulham, and has been impressive off the ball, as evidenced by a return of 3.1 tackles per 90.
The first Chelsea player to make the combined XI, Axel Disasi has been key in the Blues' progression to the Carabao Cup final. 88.2 passes per game is second only to teammate Thiago Silva (129.7), while a 93.2% success rate also ranks highly and has helped the Frenchman to a WhoScored rating of 7.08.
Jarell Quansah (Liverpool) - 6.91
No player has registered more assists than Jarell Quansah (3) in the Carabao Cup this season. The 21-year-old has been solid in possession where needed in the competition, with 83.8 passes per game ranking fourth of those to have made at least three appearances. That is enough for Quansah to have returned a WhoScored rating of 6.91 and partner Disasi at the back.
Kostas Tsimikas (Liverpool) - 6.97
Kostas Tsimikas has put in solid if unspectactular performances at left-back for Liverpool in their run to the Carabao Cup final, and he would have featured more frequently had it not been for injury. While Jurgen Klopp may go for the tried-and-tested Andy Robertson against Chelsea, Tsimikas' WhoScored rating of 6.97 is enough to round off the defence in this XI.
Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea) - 7.32
Enzo Fernandez has only been directly involved in two Chelsea goals on their way to the final, netting twice in his six outings, but it's not for want of trying. The Argentine has made more key passes (14) than any other player in the Carabao Cup this season to help earn a WhoScored rating of 7.32.
Wataru Endo (Liverpool) - 7.05
Anchoring the midfield this XI is Liverpool's Wataru Endo, who established himself as a vital player for the Reds prior to Asian Cup duties last month. The Japan international has provided one assist in the competition so far, though that's largely down to Endo's teammates' profligacy, with the summer signing averaging three key passes per 90 in the Carabao Cup.
Conor Gallagher (Chelsea) - 7.23
The penultimate Chelsea player in the XI completes the midfield, with Conor Gallagher once again shining for the Blues. Gallagher is making 2.7 tackles per 90, reinforcing a statistically calculated WhoScored strength of 'tackling', while an additional two assists has seen the 24-year-old return a rating of 7.23.
The best rated player in this combined XI, Cole Palmer has returned a WhoScored rating of 7.63 in the Carabao Cup this season. The Chelsea forward has scored two and provided two assists in the competition has he successfully transferred his league form to domestic cup competition.
Darwin Nunez (Liverpool) - 7.53
Darwin Nunez, like teammate Quansah, is another on three assists in the Carabao Cup this season. With an additional goal to his name, Liverpool's 'Agent of Chaos' is the Reds' best rated player in the competition. Those three assists come from an average of 3.6 key passes per 90, that ranking sixth in the Carabao Cup, while 3.6 dribbles per 90 not only ranks fourth, but has contributed to Nunez's WhoScored rating of 7.53.
Having played a bit-part role for Liverpool in the Premier League this season, Cody Gakpo has been crucial in the Reds' progression through the Carabao Cup. Only Morgan Rogers (5) has scored more goals than Gakpo (4) in the competition to help the Dutchman to a WhoScored rating of 7.51.
