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Will Liverpool or Chelsea feature in the League Cup final? Well, here's an interesting stat: on each of the six prior times the two sides have faced off in this competition, at least one has managed to make it to the final.

Curiously enough, this will be the first of two matches featuring the Reds and the Blues, with a tantalizing re-match in the Premier League set to take place this weekend. Maurizio Sarri will be leading his side for the first time in the English League Cup, and he will be hoping to avoid making a rather unwanted piece of history and match another manager who also hailed from his native Italy. The last coach not to win or draw their opening League Cup game was Claudio Ranieri, who saw his side lose to - ironically perhaps - Liverpool nearly 18 years ago in November 2000.

Sarri saw his side stumble to a surprise draw with West Ham last weekend, which ended a perfect winning streak and see Liverpool inch two points clear. Meanwhile, Jurgen Klopp's men have been in brilliant form and have won all six of their Premier League games so far. Including the Champions League, the Reds have won seven straight fixtures across all comps for the first time in the club's history. However, the Reds don't have a good track record in this competition as of late, where they have lost their last three fixtures without scoring.

In addition, Liverpool have struggled to deal with Chelsea. The hosts have won just two of their last 14 meetings against the Blues across all competitions, and oddly enough, none took place at Anfield. Overall, Chelsea are unbeaten in their last seven fixtures against Liverpool at Anfield, and the last time they lost at this ground was back in 2012, when they were beaten 4-1.

For the hosts, Virgil van Dijk could possibly miss out due to a rib injury, meaning that Dejan Lovren could take his place in the starting XI. Should he feature, this would mark his first appearance for his club since playing for Croatia in the World Cup final this past summer. New goalkeeper Alisson is also expected to be rotated in lieu of Simon Mignolet.

As for the visitors, they will be missing Pedro, Antonio Rudiger, and Ruben Loftus-Cheek all due to various injuries.

Match Facts & Stats

• Liverpool have won only two of their last 14 games against Chelsea in all competitions (D7 L5)
• Oddly enough, both of those victories didn't take at Anfield, but rather at Stamford Bridge
• None of the last eight Chelsea managers to take charge in the League Cup have lost their first match in the competition (W7 D1)...
• ...since Claudio Ranieri lost to Liverpool in November 2000
•  Liverpool have lost their last three League Cup matches without scoring a single goal...
• ...which their worst ever run in the competition
• Liverpool have won the cup eight times - more than any other side...
• ...whilst Chelsea have lifted it on five occasions

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