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Chelsea FC XI vs Liverpool: Starting lineup, confirmed team news and injury latest for Carabao Cup final today

 (ES Composite)
(ES Composite)

Thomas Tuchel has left Romelu Lukaku on the bench for this afternoon’s Carabao Cup final against Liverpool, with Kai Havertz leading the line.

Lukaku was dropped for the midweek win over Lille following a poor display at Crystal Palace last weekend and Tuchel has stuck with Havertz, who opened the scoring against the French side and has a superb record in finals.

Mason Mount returns to the starting lineup after injury as Hakim Ziyech misses out, having been forced off in the Lille win, but Mateo Kovacic is fit to start having hobbled off in the same match.

Elsewhere, Trevor Chalobah joins Thiago Silva and Antonio Rudiger in the back-three, while Edouard Mendy somewhat surprisingly gets the nod in goal ahead of Kepa Arrizabalaga, who has been in excellent form in the Carabao Cup this season.

Reece James is back among the substitutes after a lengthy absence in a major boost to the Blues.

Chelsea starting XI: Mendy, Silva, Rudiger, Chalobah, Azpilicueta, Kovacic, Kante, Alonso, Mount, Pulisic, Havertz

When: Sunday, 4.30pm GMT, Sky Sports

Venue: Wembley Stadium

Referee: Stuart Attwell

Injured: Chilwell (knee)