FINAL destination for one or other? IAN DOYLEON THE PAST HISTORY BETWEEN LIVERPOOL AND CHELSEA IN THE League Cup.

Byline: IAN DOYLEON

IT wouldn't be a massive risk to declare Anfield may well witness one of the Carabao Cup finalists this evening.

As Premier League front-runners, both Liverpool and Chelsea are among the favourites to lift the trophy at Wembley next February.

And only the Reds, with a record eight, have won the League Cup more times than Chelsea, who have five triumphs.

However, if history repeats itself, that showpiece assumption can be declared as fact.

The six previous times the teams have been drawn together in the competition, at least one has gone on to reach the final.

So how have the heavyweights matched up in the League Cup? Liverpool 2 Chelsea 0, League Cup second round, August 1977 What happened? The teams were paired together early in the competition, with Liverpool having only played three league games. That was enough preparation, though, with Kenny Dalglish's first-half opener added to by Jimmy Case after the break.

What happened next? Liverpool went on to reach the final where they were beaten after a replay at Old Trafford by Nottingham Forest due to a disputed John Robertson penalty awarded despite Phil Thompson clearly fouling John O'Hare outside the box. Chelsea got revenge in the FA Cup by beating Liverpool 4-2 in the third round the following January.

Liverpool 2 Chelsea 1, League Cup third round, November 2000 What happened? Plenty. Danny Murphy gave the Reds the lead only for Gianfranco Zola to equalise. Robbie Fowler's extra-time strike won it, but substitute Emile Heskey was sent off in the final minute.

What happened next? Liverpool triumphed on penalties against Birmingham City in the final at Cardiff, the first part of their cup treble that also included the FA Cup and League Cup.

Chelsea 3 Liverpool 2, League Cup final, February 2005 What happened? John Arne Riise's early blast took the Reds within 11 minutes of victory until Steven Gerrard's own goal. In extra-time, Didier Drogba and Mateja Kezman struck before Antonio Nunez ensured a frantic finish. Jose Mourinho shushed the Liverpool fans - they weren't happy.

What happened next? Chelsea went on to add the Premier League title in Mourinho's first season, while Liverpool counterpart Rafael Benitez got his hands on the European Cup in Istanbul, helped by memorably beating the Londoners in the semifinal.

Chelsea 2 Liverpool 0, League Cup fifth round, December 2007 What happened? A much-changed Liverpool - Charles Itandje in goal, Jack Hobbs at centre-back, Andriy Voronin up front - went behind through a deflected Frank Lampard shot before Peter Crouch was dismissed a minute later for a lunge on John Obi Mikel. Andriy Shevchenko's last-minute strike sealed their fate.

What happened next? Chelsea lost 2-1 to Tottenham Hotspur in the final at Wembley, and also lost the Champions League final to Manchester United having beaten Liverpool in the semi-finals.

Chelsea 0 Liverpool 2, League Cup fifth round, November 2011 What happened? Having won 2-1 at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League nine days earlier, the Reds earned a fine double with Maxi Rodriguez and Martin Kelly - his only goal for the club - notching. Lucas Leiva suffered a serious injury, however.

What happened next? Liverpool were given a major scare by Cardiff City in the final before winning on penalties after a 2-2 draw. There was revenge for Chelsea, though, by beating Liverpool 2-1 in the FA Cup final.

Liverpool 1 Chelsea 1, Chelsea 1 Liverpool 0, League Cup semifinal, January 2015 What happened? In a frenetic first leg at Anfield, Eden Hazard's early penalty was equalised by Raheem Sterling. In the return, despite some rough tackles, incredibly nobody was sent off as Liverpool missed some fine chances and fell to Branislav Ivanovic's extra-time header.

What happened next? Chelsea beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 at Wembley and also won the Premier League title. Liverpool lost another semi-final, to Aston Villa in the FA Cup, and boss Brendan Rodgers was replaced by Jurgen Klopp before the year was out.

CAPTION(S):

Robbie Fowler scores the winner for Liverpool against Chelsea in November 2000 - the Reds went on to win the League Cup as part of a famous treble

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Title Annotation:	Sport
Publication:	Liverpool Echo (Liverpool, England)
Date:	Sep 26, 2018
Words:	686
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