'Definitely not!' - Jurgen Klopp claims Liverpool aren't favourites for Carabao Cup ahead of 'tricky' Chelsea clash

In a rematch of the 2022 final, which Liverpool won on penalties after 120 minutes of play ended in a goalless stalemate, the Reds will take on Chelsea. With their current stellar form placing them four points ahead of Manchester City atop the Premier League standings, Liverpool have been generally considered as the overwhelming favourites to defeat Chelsea once more. The Blues have only won 10 games this season, a terrible campaign by their standards and are currently down in the 10th place in the table. However, Klopp believes that Mauricio Pochettino's Chelsea could pose a threat to his injury-ridden side.

Klopp told BBC Sport: "Will we be big favourites? Definitely not. Since we played them (Chelsea) they have improved a lot and it will be tricky, this was exceptional tonight."

Pressed on whether he had any injury updates, he added: "I don’t even know if these boys can play again. The situation is not great, absolutely not... There are a lot of super important games coming up and we go day by day."

Since 2021, Liverpool and Chelsea have faced each other eight times, with no losses for Liverpool throughout that span. They drew 1-1 on the first day of the season earlier this year, and last month, Liverpool easily won 4-1 in the rematch. Liverpool scraped past Fulham in the semi-final, while Chelsea breezed past Middlesborough despite losing the first leg.

Liverpool will take on Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday, February 25 as they look to win their first trophy of the season, in what is set to be Klopp's last campaign at the helm of the Merseyside club.