Liverpool’s Trent Alexander decision amid Chelsea warning ahead of Carabao Cup final

Liverpool’s decision over who replaces Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back will go a long way to deciding Sunday’s Carabao Cup final.

That is the view of ex-Reds forward Neil Mellor, who feels his former side cannot afford to underestimate Chelsea at Wembley Stadium.

Liverpool are the favorites heading into the clash, as they look to win the first of four possible trophies in Jurgen Klopp’s final season in charge.

But they will have to do so without star man Alexander-Arnold who will miss the final through injury and the Reds have the choice of trusting youngster Conor Bradley or moving Joe Gomez across to right-back.

“Trent is one of the best players in the Premier League so it is a big blow,” Mellor exclusively told Dexerto Sports, on behalf of Gaming Gadgets.

“His influence has been shown throughout his time at Liverpool. He will be a big miss but it’s about who replaces him. The two candidates are young Conor Bradley, who has burst onto the scene and done really well and shown he can handle it.

“Then Joe Gomez, who has done really well at left-back but he could fill in for him. It is not ideal to have one of your best players missing in a cup final but Liverpool have got players capable of coming in.”

Chelsea should not be underestimated

It is a huge opportunity for Chelsea to win a trophy, too, and for Blues boss Mauricio Pochettino to ease the pressure on him by delivering silverware.

Chelsea have struggled for consistency in the Premier League, but Mellor insists they cannot be underestimated after recent performances against Liverpool’s title rivals.

“I think it will be a lot closer than it was in the league game. Liverpool demolished them 4-1 at Anfield but Chelsea have shown signs of improvement but have at times coped with the bigger teams in the Premier League.

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“They have drawn against City, drawn against Arsenal and I don’t think it will be as dominant as the league game at Anfield.

“I think Pochettino is a top coach. They will be mentally ready and I still believe Chelsea can get in the European places.

“To win a trophy would be a decent start for Pochettino. It’s a big game and Chelsea have some big game players. Liverpool have been better consistently but it will be interesting to see how different Chelsea are compared to the league game.”

As mentioned above, Liverpool could well win an unprecedented quadruple this season. They are currently top of the Premier League and in the last 16 of both the FA Cup and Europa League, too.

Victory in the Carabao Cup final would tick off the first of the four trophies and Mellor believes the momentum a trophy win would provide would be huge.

“Momentum is so important and it keeps the dream alive. Of course, Liverpool can still win three other trophies if they don’t win it but it is about getting one in the bag.

“They can then think we now have one in the bag, can we kick on and try and win a few more which they know they can do.

“It is all about momentum and they don’t want anything to deflate them. March is a massive month for Liverpool and they have some massive games after the cup final.”

Neil Mellor was speaking exclusively to Dexerto on behalf of Gaming Gadgets.