Liverpool are into the final of the 150th FA Cup after defeating Manchester City 3-2 in their semi-final repeat of the battle for the Premier League title.
Just six days after their 2-2 draw at the Etihad in the league, Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool raced into a 3-0 half-time lead thanks to a brace from Sadio Mane and one from Ibrahima Konate.
City threatened a comeback by scoring just a minute into the second half but ultimately never came close to matching a relentless Liverpool performance.
Chelsea, currently third in the league, face Crystal Palace in the other semi on Sunday 17 April and will be the clear favourites in that clash.
FA Cup final 2021-22
- Date: Saturday 14 May
- Kick-off time: TBC
- Venue: Wembley Stadium
- TV channel: BBC One
- Live stream: BBC iPlayer
FA Cup semi-finals
- Saturday 16 April: Man City 2-3 Liverpool
- Sunday 17 April, 4.30pm: Chelsea vs Crystal Palace
Liverpool
The quadruple is yet to be completed by a Premier League side but Klopp’s team could be the first.
To deal with such a packed fixture list Klopp has often rested key players during FA Cup games: neither Mo Salah or Sadio Mane featured in the quarter-final win over Nottingham Forest, for example.
If the Reds manage to lift Liverpool’s eighth FA Cup it will be their first in 16 years since the infamous “Gerrard final” against West Ham, when the legendary midfield scored a last-gasp equaliser to force extra-time and then scored in the shootout as the Reds triumphed 3-1 on penalties.
Chelsea
Chelsea are currently joint third in all-time FA Cup winners alongside Tottenham (both on eight) and only have Arsenal (14) and Manchester United (12) ahead of them in the standings.
The West London club last lifted the FA Cup four years ago when Antonio Conte’s side beat former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United 1-0.
With Liverpool and Man City battling for the title, the Blues will have to settle for third – which may actually be a blessing in disguise.
Having also now been knocked out of the Champions League by Real Madrid, victory in the FA Cup is now Thomas Tuchel’s only chance of winning silverware this season.
More on FA Cup
Liverpool remain in quadruple hunt after Klopp takes advantage of Guardiola's wilful surrender16 April, 2022
Mane double sends Liverpool into FA Cup final after Man City win - ratings and analysis16 April, 2022
Hillsborough tribute cut short as Man City fans disrupt FA Cup semi-final minute silence16 April, 2022Crystal Palace
Unlike the Premier League top three, Crystal Palace are not competing for any other trophies, meaning their chances should not be overlooked as Patrick Vieira can focus solely on cup glory.
The Eagles are currently 13th in the league, a finish that would be a place better off than last season, but supporters would happily trade that for a first ever FA Cup win.
Palace came close in 2016, losing to Manchester United 2-1 thanks to a Jesse Lingard extra-time winner, and also lost to United after a replay in their only other final back in 1990.
from Football | News and analysis from the Premier League and beyond | iNews https://ift.tt/uA7ogCj
Post a Comment