The final of the FA Cup pits two of the globe’s biggest teams against each other at the magnificent Wembley Stadium today.
It’s goalless at the break, though both sides had opportunities to break the deadlock. Luis Diaz could well have opened the scoring early on, but saw his shot cleared off the line, before Christian Pulisic and Marcos Alonso were unable to take their chances for Chelsea.
Both enjoyed a relatively safe passage to the showpiece, each having barely encountered Premier League opposition until the semi-finals.
Plymouth and Luton put up surprisingly stout opposition to Chelsea before they brushed aside Crystal Palace last month, whereas Liverpool had to come through Manchester City in the final four following a testing trip to Nottingham Forest.
One extra facet to today’s game is that it is a repeat of the League Cup final.
Not since 1993 have two opponents met in both events, and it was Liverpool who came out on top in the Carabao Cup showdown just over two months ago.
So let’s get our suits on, turn Jerusalem up, and gaze in awe at those steps up to the Royal Box as this promises to be a fascinating FA Cup final.
With kick-off at 4.45pm BST, follow Standard Sport’s live blog for all the updates from Matt Verri and James Robson at Wembley…
Live updates
Liverpool should have taken the lead…
Liverpool with 60% possession in that first-half – nine shots but just one on target to show for it.
Three shots for Chelsea, with Alonso’s effort from close range the only one to force Alisson into any work. They’ve got into some really good positions, but Chelsea haven’t been clinical enough.
HT: Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool
Goalless at the break at Wembley.
Liverpool were by far the better team in the opening 15 minutes, pinning Chelsea back as Diaz caused them all sorts of problems.
But Tuchel’s side have grown into it and could well have taken the lead themselves, with Pulisic and Alonso unable to take decent chances.
45+1 mins: Pulisic and Jorginho combine nicely, ball played through to Lukaku.
He goes for the early shot this time, with Van Dijk coming across to cover. Blazed over the bar.
45 mins: Kovacic loses it on the halfway line and Mane is onto him in a flash – Chelsea man tries to haul him down but doesn’t even pull that off.
Eventually worked wide to Robertson, he swings a low cross in and Jota sends it over the bar from close range.
Four minutes added on.
43 mins: That’s one for the ‘ambitious’ folder.
Konate brings the ball forward, must be at least 35 yards out but decides to try his luck. Just about stayed in the first tier of Chelsea fans behind that goal.
Almost 165 minutes these sides have played at Wembley now this season – no goals.
41 mins: Van Dijk plays a short pass to Thiago, who wasn’t expecting it at all and Mount can pounce.
He drives forward and slides it through to Lukaku. Can’t get the ball out of his feet in time to get the shot away, tries to scoop it back across the face of goal but nobody there.
39 mins: Tempo of the match has gone up a level, as both sides appeal for free-kicks and are told to play on.
Pulisic does well to hold off Alexander-Arnold and Chelsea can go on the attack. Long ball forward from Jorginho towards Lukaku, who tries to pin Van Dijk in the box. Optimistic. Doesn’t work.
36 mins: Alexander-Arnold pops up in the middle of the pitch, goes for goal from miles out. Straight into Chalobah.
Van Dijk clips a long ball forward, this time both James and Chalobah are there to close down Diaz and win it back for Chelsea.
34 mins: Pulisic has got into some great positions but he isn’t making the most of them.
Mount slides the ball wide and he’s got in behind Alexander-Arnold… Pulisic tries to square it for Lukaku rather than shooting and the chance goes.
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