FA Cup: Liverpool v Chelsea Line-ups

Liverpool will face Chelsea in the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium today without first-choice midfielder Fabinho.

The Brazilian was forced off after 30 minutes of the Reds’ triumph against Aston Villa, sustaining a hamstring injury that Jurgen Klopp has confirmed will keep him out of the final this weekend.

Klopp has announced that Fabinho will be healthy for the Champions League final later this month, with Jordan Henderson taking his place in defensive midfield.

“We can cope, having him or not having him is a difference but it is all fine,” Klopp said on Thursday.

“That’s normal stuff that happens. It’s never in a position where you have 12 options, it’s always in a position where you [don’t].

“We have a few players. Hendo came on and played incredible [against Villa], he has played super games this season at number six so that is not a problem.”

Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah didn’t start at Villa Park but both come back into the side, with Klopp’s two big decisions coming at centre-back and up front.

Ibrahima Konate pairs Virgil van Dijk in defence, selected ahead of Joel Matip.

Luis Diaz starts alongside Salah and Sadio Mane in the front three, which leaves Diogo Jota having to settle for a place on the bench.

Both sides met at this stage of the competition in 2012 which Chelsea won.

The Blues are without Kai Havertz, as Lukaku starts. Kante begins from the bench, same as captain Azpilicueta.

Chelsea XI: Mendy; Chalobah, Thiago Silva, Rudiger, James, Kovacic, Jorginho, Alonso, Mount, Lukaku, Pulisic

Subs: Arrizabalaga, Azpilicueta, Sarr, Kante, Loftus-Cheek, Saul, Barkley, Werner, Ziyech

Liverpool XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Thiago, Keita; Salah, Mane, Diaz.

Subs: Kelleher, Milner, Firmino, Gomez, Jones, Jota, Tskimikas, Origi, Matip.

Source: vanguardngr.com