THE FA Cup final is here as Liverpool take on Chelsea in a tantalising showdown at Wembley Stadium.
Jurgen Klopp's team qualified for the final by defeating Premier League title rivals Man City as they continue to hunt an historic quadruple.
That leaves them facing Chelsea in a repeat of the Carabao Cup final following the Blues' comfortable 2-0 victory against Crystal Palace.
The fixture is Liverpool's first FA Cup final in 10 years and Jurgen Klopp's first ever.
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What time does Chelsea vs Liverpool kick off?
- Chelsea vs Liverpool in the FA Cup final 2022 takes place on Saturday, May 14 – TODAY.
- Kick-off is at 4.45pm BST.
- Wembley Stadium plays host to the showpiece final.
- The sides haven't met since Liverpool's penalty shootout victory in the Carabao Cup final in February.
- However, all three of their meetings this season have ended in a draw.
What TV channel is the FA Cup final on and can I live stream it?
- The FA Cup final 2022 is live on BBC One and ITV 1.
- You can live stream it on the BBC iPlayer and the ITV Hub.
- Coverage on BBC commences at 4pm while ITV coverage gets underway at 3.45pm.
Can I watch the FA Cup final for FREE?
- Both BBC and ITV are absolutely FREE for UK viewers with a TV licence.
- Alternatively, listen to LIVE commentary of the game on talkSPORT.
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Team news
Liverpool received a welcome boost at Aston Villa on Tuesday as Roberto Firmino returned to the bench.
However, they have been dealt a hammer blow ahead of the final as midfielder Fabinho has been ruled out.
Fortunately for Jurgen Klopp, the Reds have no further injury worries beyond the Brazilian.
Thomas Tuchel has received a boost ahead of the cup final with Mateo Kovacic fit despite being forced off at Leeds after being on the receiving end of a Dan James horror tackle.
However, Tuchel has said he is "90 per cent sure" that Jorginho and Ruben Loftus-Cheek will start in midfield.
Romelu Lukaku has now scored three goals in two games and Tuchel could offer him the ultimate shot at redemption by starting him at Wembley after a patchy season.
What they said
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel: "You know Kloppo is the master of being the underdog.
"He can talk you into being the underdog against Villarreal and against Benfica.
"It’s a miracle – a miracle – how they even draw against them.
"He can talk you into it and he does it all the time, he does it a lot of times."
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp: "Chelsea are a really, really well-coached team. They have an idea for all different areas of the game, that's how it is.
"They play a similar system to other teams, but a different level. They're very organised defensively and offensively they have so much talent.
"We have no idea how Thomas will set up for example, they have so many different options in offensive areas.
"Werner, Ziyech and Havertz didn't start the last game. All three could start, for example, and it gives a completely different dynamic to Mount, Lukaku and Pulisic.
"They can play with two strikers, one and two 10s. The only thing that's clear is they defend with five in the last line.
"We play a final, an FA Cup final and it would be a real surprise if we met a weak team in that final."
Latest odds
To win in 90 minutes
Chelsea 27/10
Draw 5/2
Liverpool 21/20
To win the FA Cup
Chelsea 6/4
Liverpool 1/2
*Latest odds from Betfair
- Sam Street
Perisic ‘set to sign’
Chelsea have reportedly agreed a deal to sign Ivan Perisic from Inter Milan next season.
Italian broadcaster Mediaset say it would take a “sensational twist” for the Croatia star not to be playing his football at Stamford Bridge this season.
Negotiations over a new deal with Inter reportedly stalled over Perisic’s wage demands.
Chelsea are reportedly on the verge of agreeing a deal for Ivan Perisic - Sam Street
Draw specialists
Chelsea and Liverpool have met three times this season and played out three draws.
In August, the Blues had Reece James sent off at Anfield for a handball on the line, but still comfortably held out for a 1-1 draw.
In January, Liverpool raced into a 2-0 lead at Stamford Bridge, but Thomas Tuchel’s side came back with goals from Mateo Kovacic and Christian Pulisic to earn a point.
And in one of the most exciting goalless draws you will ever see, Liverpool won the Carabao Cup final on penalties in a match which saw FOUR goals disallowed.
Reece James was sent off for Chelsea at Anfield - Sam Street
‘We have no idea!
Jurgen Klopp says he doesn’t know how Chelsea will set up in the FA Cup final, given the wealth of options available to Thomas Tuchel.
He said: "Chelsea are a really, really well-coached team. They have an idea for all different areas of the game, that's how it is.
"They play a similar system to other teams, but a different level. They're very organised defensively and offensively they have so much talent.
"We have no idea how Thomas will set up for example, they have so many different options in offensive areas. Werner, Ziyech and Havertz didn't start the last game.
“All three could start, for example, and it gives a completely different dynamic to Mount, Lukaku and Pulisic.
"They can play with two strikers, one and two 10s. The only thing that's clear is they defend with five in the last line.
"We don't know exactly if they have two or three midfielders. It's very interesting to prepare, to be honest. We play a final, an FA Cup final and it would be a real surprise if we met a weak team in that final."
Jurgen Klopp says he doesn't know how Chelsea will set up in the FA Cup final
- Sam Street
‘We don’t want the sympathy of the country, we want the trophy’
Thomas Tuchel says he agrees with Pep Guardiola that the entire country will be supporting Liverpool in their bid to win the quadruple.
He said: "I'm not a Liverpool fan. I can understand why Pep made that comment. It is hard to argue with it.
“I think there is a huge sympathy for Liverpool in the country and they work hard for it.
"If we are the bad guys, no problem, we take that role. We don't want the sympathy of the country, we want to have the trophy."
Thomas Tuchel is ready to embrace the 'bad guy' role today - Sam Street
‘The master of being the underdog’
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has sent a barb the way of his Liverpool counterpart Jurgen Klopp ahead of this one.
Tuchel has labelled his fellow ex-Dortmund boss Klopp as “the master of being the underdog”.
He said: "You know Kloppo is the master of being the underdog.
“He can talk you into being the underdog against Villarreal and against Benfica.
“It’s a miracle – a miracle – how they even draw against them.
“He can talk you into it and he does it all the time, he does it a lot of times."
Thomas Tuchel (left) claims Jurgen Klopp (right) is the master of being the underdog - Sam Street
Flashback
Despite being one of English football’s most hotly and regularly contested fixtures, Chelsea and Liverpool have met just once in the FA Cup final.
That match was played at Wembley a decade ago in 2012.
Back then, Roberto Di Matteo’s Chelsea overcame Kenny Dalglish’s Liverpool 2-1 at the national stadium.
Ramires and Didier Drogba bagged that goals for the Blues with Andy Carroll replying for the Reds.
Two weeks later, Chelsea would follow up FA Cup glory with the Champions League trophy – a feat Liverpool are looking to accomplish this season.
Didier Drogba scored the winner for Chelsea against Liverpool in the 2012 FA Cup final - Sam Street
Security breach
Wembley have been forced to change their security company for today’s final after a reporter was able to get a job as a steward for both semi-finals and the Tyson Fury vs Dillian Whyte fight.
It is alleged that the Daily Mail journalist was not subjected to an interview or asked to undergo any training ahead of assuming the role.
A Wembley Stadium spokesperson told Sky Sports News: “We are taking these allegations extremely seriously as they do not meet the high standards we expect from our stewarding contractors.
“Every contractor we use is contractually obliged to carry out appropriate reference and background checks on anyone that they recruit to work at Wembley Stadium.”
- Sam Street
FA Cup final
It’s FA Cup final day as Chelsea face Liverpool in what is set to be an enthralling clash at Wembley.
Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool are still on course to be the first ever team to win the quadruple, but will need victory over the Blues to lift the second of the four trophies.
Back in February at Wembley, the Reds secured the Carabao Cup with a penalty shootout victory over the Blues in a match memorable for Kepa being substituted on for Edouard Mendy in the 119th minute then failing to save a single penalty.
Should Liverpool emerge triumphant, they will have to overcome the odds to overturn a three-point deficit to Premier League leaders with just two games remaining.
And after that they will face Real Madrid in Paris as they look to earn the status of immortals.
Chelsea meanwhile are not fighting on four fronts and have been able to focus primarily on this fixture following their Champions League quarter-final exit at the hands of Real Madrid.
The Blues have effectively qualified for next season’s Champions League and Thomas Tuchel will be desperate to cap off this season with a trophy.
The FA Cup has been the one that got away for Chelsea in the past two years, having been beaten 2-1 by Arsenal in the 2020 final and then stunned 1-0 by Leicester in last season’s showpiece.
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