The kickoff time of Liverpool’s Carabao Cup final against Chelsea is scheduled to be moved forward for next month.
The Carabao Cup final between Liverpool and Chelsea is scheduled to take place next month. The Metropolitan Police has confirmed that it is working with the EFL to determine an appropriate kickoff time, but they have also issued a warning that because the game is considered “high-risk,” it should not start after 3pm.
In order to agree on an earlier start time for the showpiece final at Wembley on Sunday, February 25, the Met is currently in communication with the local authorities, partners, and Wembley Stadium. The original start whistle for the game was scheduled for 4.30pm.
In order to reduce the likelihood of unrest between the two sets of supporters, the match between the Anfield and Stamford Bridge teams—a rematch of the 2022 League Cup final—has been designated as a “high-risk” fixture and will start earlier than scheduled.
The Metropolitan Police made the following statement to the ECHO on Thursday night: “We are working with partners, including the Wembley Stadium, local authority, and EFL, on agreeing the kick off time. Following the conclusion of the two semi-finals, preparations for the EFL Cup policing operation are underway.”
“National guidance from the UK Football Policing Unit states that this match qualifies as a ‘high-risk’ fixture, and our partners are aware of this. The match should kick off no later than 3pm.”
Liverpool’s 3-2 aggregate victory over Fulham in the two-leg semi-finals secured their spot in the record 14th League Cup final on Wednesday night. Chelsea, on the other hand, decisively overcame their 1-0 first-leg loss to Championship team Middlesbrough, putting on an attacking clinic at Stamford Bridge to win the series 6-2 overall.
