Jurgen Klopp sends 'greedy' message to Liverpool players ahead of huge Carabao Cup final against Chelsea

Jurgen Klopp sends 'greedy' message to Liverpool players ahead of huge Carabao Cup final against Chelsea

WATCH NOW: Sports round-up as Jurgen Klopp discusses Liverpool's Carabao Cup final showdown with Chelsea

Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 25/02/2024

- 13:24

The Reds boss has spoken out ahead of the contest at Wembley

Jurgen Klopp has admitted he wants Liverpool players to be 'greedy' ahead of today's Carabao Cup final showdown with Chelsea.

The Reds go into the contest at Wembley looking to win the first trophy of the season as they chase a stunning quadruple.


Liverpool beat Chelsea 4-1 at Anfield at the end of January.

But the Blues have improved in the time since, with Mauricio Pochettino's side recently beating Crystal Palace and Aston Villa while managing an impressive 1-1 draw at the home of Manchester City.

Jurgen Klopp Liverpool Chelsea

Jurgen Klopp wants his Liverpool players to be 'greedy' in their Carabao Cup final showdown with Chelsea

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Klopp has had to call on Liverpool's young guns to step up while his side battle an injury crisis.

And the German, speaking to Sky Sports, says he wants players to be 'greedy' - while also insisting he's happy at reaching two Carabao Cup finals in three years.

"I almost want to have a team that's really greedy on the competition," he said.

"It makes sense you bring in fresh legs and fresh minds as well who really want to go for that and win this specific football game more than anything else in their life.

"That's why it worked out now. Three years, two Carabao Cup finals, it's not bad."

Plenty has changed at Liverpool since Klopp's arrival back in October 2015.

And he admits he's satisfied with the quality of his squad having initially been wary of rotating too much many years ago.

"In the [first season] we had a lot of games with Europa League group stages and you have to rotate," added the 56-year-old.

"Where can you? You want to win the game but you need to rest players and give opportunities to others.

"Two years ago when we won both [the FA Cup and Carabao Cup], it's really special.

"You cannot go to the final if you don't use the boys. It's not possible.

"We arrived here and played all competitions. The first season we had 63, 64 games.

"So all these young kids started immediately and we qualified for two finals.

"Brad Smith, Connor Randall… I'm still in contact with Pedro Chirivella playing in Nantes… and they helped us so much from the start.

"The outstanding ones, Trent [Alexander-Arnold] coming through, Curtis [Jones] coming through, Conor [Bradley], Jarell [Quansah], Caoimhin [Kelleher]… that's wonderful now we can have a decent team with these kids and go - not for the world championship - but we can win football games with it. That's really pleasing."

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Jurgen Klopp Liverpool Chelsea

Jurgen Klopp is pleased with the way Liverpool's young players have performed as their Carabao Cup final clash with Chelsea looms

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Chelsea boss Pochettino, meanwhile, has written an open letter to fans of the west London giants.

And he insists he, his coaching staff and his players will give their all as they look to secure Carabao Cup final glory.

"We all believe in our players and the way we work. This season has not always been easy, that is the reality. But the trust between us as a team has remained really strong," he said.

"That has helped us reach Wembley and it will help us in this final. Now we must do what Chelsea do. Win.

"You, the supporters, will help us. We know this. You have been patient and defended us in our hard moments. You have celebrated and enjoyed our steps forward.

Chelsea Mauricio Pochettino

Mauricio Pochettino has penned an open letter to Chelsea fans prior to their Carabao Cup final clash with Liverpool

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"We are proud this relationship is blooming and the feelings we had in this competition after the wins against Newcastle and Middlesbrough – and recently after Aston Villa and Crystal Palace – are something we want again.

"Liverpool will not make it easy. They are capable of bringing a storm on the pitch and when it arrives, we must be ready to give our best to achieve what we all want.

"We will remind the players that when the heart beats a little faster, that is when you must be ready to fight.

"We all know the history of Chelsea. It is massive and everyone understands the expectations of this club. That is the owners, the players, the staff at Cobham, the staff at Stamford Bridge, the Academy, and the women’s team.

"Many people from the club will be at Wembley today to help us as a team, but also to help translate the atmosphere of the final to the supporters that can’t be in the stadium. Only if we are together can we live these special moments and create these memories."

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