Sports

Liverpool To Face Chelsea In League Cup Final

Published

2 years ago

January 25, 2024

Liverpool will face Chelsea in the League Cup final after surviving a scare in their 1-1 draw against Fulham in the semi-final second leg on Wednesday.

Holding a 2-1 advantage from the first leg, Liverpool took the lead through Luis Diaz early in the first half at Craven Cottage.

That should have been the signal for a comfortable evening for Jurgen Klopp’s side.

But they missed several chances to kill off Fulham before Issa Diop’s late goal set the stage for a dramatic denouement.

Liverpool barely held on under Fulham’s barrage of pressure before finally clinching a 3-2 aggregate success.

“This was not a night to shine or play a bit of fancy football, it was a night to qualify for a final. The boys did really well and I’m really happy,” Klopp said.

“The very young ones have been incredible. I’m so happy to see their reaction in the dressing room.”

In a repeat of the 2022 final won by Liverpool on penal

ties, the Reds will make their 14th appearance in the League Cup showpiece against Chelsea at Wembley on February 25.

“It’s fantastic. We had the experience before, we know what to expect. Again Chelsea. Wow what a story that is,” Klopp said.

“You should never take for granted if you are part of the team who can qualify for trophies.”

Liverpool have won the League Cup a record nine times, while Chelsea, who routed Middlesbrough 6-2 on aggregate on the other semi-final, have lifted the trophy on five occasions, most recently in 2015.

With Mohamed Salah suffering a serious hamstring injury on Africa Cup of Nations duty with Egypt, Liverpool will be bereft of star power for several weeks.

But in Salah’s absence, Liverpool’s victory over Bournemouth on Sunday took them five points clear at the top of the Premier League.

The Reds are also competing in the FA Cup and Europa League, giving them a chance for an incredible quadruple trophy haul this season.

Black and white billboards with the slogan ‘dare to dream’ had surrounded the Craven Cottage pitch in a pre-match message to the Fulham fans, who responded with a raucous atmosphere that belied their sedate reputation.

It didn’t take long for Liverpool to puncture Fulham’s optimism.

– Deadly Diaz –

Klopp’s men wasted no time getting on the front foot as Diaz glanced a header narrowly wide from Harvey Elliott’s free-kick inside the first two minutes.

Crucially, Joao Palhinha wasted a golden opportunity to put Fulham ahead when the unmarked midfielder met Andreas Pereira’s corner with a volley that whistled over from 10 yards.

Diaz made sure Liverpool took advantage of that escape in the 11th minute, the Colombian rising to win an aerial challenge before darting into the area for a low drive that squirmed through Bernd Leno’s weak attempted save at his near post.

A constant thorn in Fulham’s side, Diaz had the ball in the net again midway through the half but this time his strike was disallowed for offside against Darwin Nunez.

So dominant in the opening stages, Liverpool let their guard down after that and Raul Jimenez’s effort from outside the edge brought a sprawling save from Caoimhin Kelleher.

Deputising for the rested Alisson Becker, Kelleher held Willian’s 25-yard blast moments later.

Kelleher gifted Fulham a chance by coming off his line in a failed bid to catch Willian’s cross, with Tosin Adarabioyo’s knock-down smashed against the post by Pereira.

That lucky let-off re-energised Liverpool, who threatened a second goal as Nunez’s curler forced a fine save from Leno at full stretch.

But Harry Wilson came off the bench to provide a spark for Fulham in the closing stages, whipping over a perfectly-placed cross that Diop flicked past Kelleher from close-range.

In a tense finale, Kelleher made a good stop to keep out Wilson’s blistering strike before Liverpool could finally celebrate.

Sports

EPL: Rooney Names Team To Win Title

Published

6 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Editor

Former Manchester United striker, Wayne Rooney, has said Arsenal will go on to win the Premier League title, after Manchester City dropped points against Everton.

City were held to a 3-3 draw at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Monday night.

The result means Pep Guardiola’s men are now five points behind Arsenal, but they have one game in hand.

Rooney believes the Gunners will beat West Ham this weekend and go on to be champions.

He said on BBC Sport: “No, I’m concerned for West Ham. I just think Arsenal are efficient and professional.

“I just think they will win every game. So obviously, with the result tonight, that means they will win the league.”

Sports

UCL, EPL: Petr Cech Advises Chelsea On How To Win Trophies

Published

2 days ago

May 4, 2026

Editor

Chelsea legend, Petr Cech, has advised his old club on how to win the UEFA Champions League or the English Premier League.

Chelsea are already out of the Premier League title race this season, and they are at risk of missing out on UEFA Champions League qualification for next season because they are currently not in the ninth position on the Premier League table.

Speaking to The Athletic about Chelsea, Cech said that the Blues need to change their philosophy of signing only young players if they want to win the Premier League or Champions League.

According to the former goalkeeper, the Premier League west London club needs to add experienced players to mentor the young players in the squad.

“You have to look at what you want to achieve. You can have young, talented players, and you can win, but it’s very rare that you manage to do that,” he said.

“If you want to win every season and compete every season, that does not go together.

“You have to change your philosophy. Certain things don’t go together because, in order to win a Champions League or a Premier League… these are really tough competitions, and you have to be consistent.

“You need to have a strong core of the team. And then you can bring young, talented players who will grow faster and then will be held by the experienced players to help navigate them through difficult times when they come.”

Currently, Chelsea have just one player, Tosin Adarabioyo, who is over 28 this season, and the defender has not been playing regularly.

Sports

Enabulele Lauds Okpebholo’s Bold Reforms As Edo Sports Witnesses Revival

Published

6 days ago

April 30, 2026

Editor

The Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, has commended Governor Monday Okpebholo for what he described as a bold and transformative approach to sports development.

Speaking on efforts to reposition sports in the state, Enabulele noted that with Okpebholo’s visionary leadership, the sector has witnessed renewed growth.

In a statement issued by his Media Officer, Edoko Wilson Edoko, the Edo Sports Commission boss attributed the progress to the governor’s strategic policies and sustained commitment to youth development, which he said have laid the foundation for a more structured and results-driven system.

“His Excellency has demonstrated clear vision and genuine commitment to sports development. The level of support we are receiving has significantly repositioned Edo as a competitive force in national sporting events,” he said.

He explained that targeted investments in grassroots development are already producing results, with a growing number of young talents being identified and nurtured across multiple disciplines.

“We are deliberately building from the grassroots. A large percentage of our athletes today are homegrown, which speaks to the sustainability of our development model,” Enabulele added.

The Commission, he noted, is also shifting away from an over-reliance on football to a broader multi-sport focus.

Edo State, he said, is now recording improved performances in athletics, combat sports, and other emerging areas.

“Our goal is to strengthen all sports. The results are beginning to show across different disciplines, and this is only the start,” he said.

Enabulele further pointed to ongoing improvements in sports infrastructure and athlete welfare as critical factors in sustaining performance and encouraging wider participation among young people.

“We are building a system that will endure. With the continued support of the governor, Edo is on course to becoming a dominant force in sports at both national and international levels,” he stated.

He expressed confidence that the current momentum would translate into greater achievements for Edo athletes, reaffirming the Commission’s commitment to excellence, discipline, and long-term development.