Chelsea vs Liverpool LIVE: Carabao Cup final result after Kepa misses crucial penalty in shoot-out

Chelsea have described the Ukraine crisis as “horrific and devastating” after club owner Roman Abramovich handed over stewardship of the club.

The statement from the Blues comes a day after the Russian confirmed the club’s stewardish was now in the hands of the trustees of club foundation.

The club’s tweet to the statement included the word “conflict”, the actual statement did not however. While there was no mention of Russia at all.

The English Football League have discussed the idea of a grand gesture towards the people of Ukraine ahead of today’s Carabao Cup final between Chelsea and Liverpool, Miguel Delaney reports.

It is possible that the Wembley arch will be lit up in yellow and blue, while some figures involved have pushed for something that revolves around a peace symbol instead.

The Independent has been told that the UK government would encourage the move. They are conscious that this is a showpiece game with a huge global reach, and could represent a powerful symbol.

There were displays of support towards Ukraine across the Premier League on Saturday, including Everton’s match against Manchester City.

Chelsea’s Ben Chilwell will miss today’s Carabao Cup final as he is still recovering from a knee ligament injury, but fellow wingback Reece James could return for the first time since December after being side-lined due to a hamstring problem.

For Liverpool, Roberto Firmino is a definite absentee because of a groin injury but there is hope that Diogo Jota may feature. He is still a doubt for the game but seems to be recovering well from ankle ligament damage.

The build-up to today’s match has been dominated by last night’s major story, as Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich announced he is handing over the reins of the Stamford Bridge side to the club’s foundation.

As it stands, there are few details and little clarity over what it means for Chelsea and its ownership structure in a practical sense, although Mr Abramovich remains the owner.

This morning, the club released a statement on the “situation in Ukraine” - but without mentioning Russia or the invasion backed by the country’s president Vladimir Putin.

Chelsea said: “The situation in Ukraine is horrific and devastating. Chelsea FC’s thoughts are with everyone in Ukraine. Everyone at the club is praying for peace.”

It’s a glorious afternoon at Wembley ahead of the first domestic cup final of the season. It’s set to be an eventful afternoon, potentially both on and off the pitch, and we’ll bring you all the build-up between now and 4:30.

Chelsea and Liverpool go head-to-head in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley Stadium this afternoon, with new champions set to be crowned for the first time since 2018.

The end of the 2017/18 season marked the start of Manchester City’s four-year stranglehold on this trophy, but Pep Guardiola’s team suffered a penalty shootout exit to West Ham in the fourth round in October, while Chelsea and Liverpool safely navigated their way to today’s final. Thomas Tuchel’s Blues knocked out Tottenham in the semi-finals, while Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool saw off Arsenal to book their final berth.

This afternoon’s game marks the Reds’ first appearance in the Carabao Cup final since 2016, when they lost to Man City on penalties in Klopp’s first season in charge. The situation is not dissimilar for Chelsea, who last reached the final in 2019 and also lost to Man City on penalties – during Maurizio Sarri’s brief stint as head coach of the London club. The Italian was succeeded by ex-Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard, who in turn was replaced by Tuchel last January. The German guided Chelsea to Champions League glory against City but also oversaw an FA Cup final loss to Leicester, so he will not be short on motivation to secure his first piece of domestic silverware in England.