Chelsea & Liverpool FA Cup final combined XI – Jota starts, Kante dropped

Liverpool and Chelsea will contest in the FA Cup final this year in what is being billed as one of the most exciting fixtures of the season, and it’s easy to see why.

Jurgen Klopp’s side have been exceptional this season and are still on track for an unprecedented quadruple, whilst the west London side will be looking to win the FA Cup after losing the last two finals.

The two Premier League giants will be looking to add the prestigious FA Cup to their trophy collection this season, and here at HITC Sport, we will be looking at what a combined Chelsea and Liverpool XI would look like ahead of the final at Wembley Stadium later this month.

GK – Alisson Becker

Edouard Mendy has once again been solid for Chelsea this season, yet it’s hard to not look past Alisson Becker and the impact the Brazilian has had for Liverpool this campaign.

One Player Your Club MUST Sell This Summer (2022)

The first keeper this season in Europe’s top five leagues to register 20+ clean sheets and a force of nature between the sticks, Alisson has been outstanding for Liverpool this year, and the former AS Roma star will be key if the Reds are to best Chelsea in the FA Cup final.

RB – Trent Alexander-Arnold

The battle of the English right-backs will likely be fought between Reece James and Trent Alexander-Arnold in the Three Lions squad in the coming years, yet for this XI, the Liverpool defender takes the position.

The Liverpool academy graduate has been his usual best this season and has added to his overall game, much to the enjoyment of supporters, and Alexander-Arnold’s world-class quality and fitness give the Merseyside star the edge over James in this XI.

CB – Antonio Rudiger

Chelsea have prided themselves in their defence since the arrival of Tuchel in 2021, and Antonio Rudiger has been the main winner of this revolution, with the German defender arguably one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League in the past 18 months.

With a summer move to Real Madrid all but confirmed, the £100k-a-week Chelsea star will be a huge miss for the west London side next season, at an FA Cup final win would be the perfect send-off for Rudiger this month.

CB – Virgil van Dijk

Alongside the German star is of course Virgil van Dijk, who this season has easily reclaimed his throne as the top centre-back in the Premier League and has been key to Liverpool’s sensational quadruple charge.

Despite missing a year due to injury, the Netherlands international has looked like he hasn’t missed a beat, and Van Dijk’s dominance at the back has been huge for Liverpool this season, with Chelsea’s attackers likely already fearing the centre-back for the final.

LB – Andy Robertson

With Alexander-Arnold on one side of the defence, Andy Robertson had to be included on the other, with the 28-year-old Scottish international again playing a key role for Liverpool this season.

With 15 assists in all competitions, the former Hull City star has shown no signs of slowing down his goal contribution output for Liverpool, and against Chelsea in the FA Cup final, Robertson will play a huge role if Klopp’s side are to lift silverware yet again at Wembley.

CM – Mateo Kovacic

The second and final Chelsea player in this combined XI, Matteo Kovacic has quietly been an impressive player for Tuchel’s side this campaign despite some injury problems that have the Croatian international out on the sideline.

Playing in four of Chelsea’s five FA Cup games this season, Kovacic is likely to start at Wembley against Liverpool if the midfielder is fully fit, and the former Real Madrid star will be key if the Blues are to finally win the historic trophy after coming so close in the last two years.

CM – Fabinho

If there’s one Liverpool midfielder who has taken their game to a whole new level this season, it’s Brazilian international Fabinho, whose goals for the Reds have been vital in both the Premier League and FA Cup this campaign.

A standout shout for the PFA Team of the Year and the rock in Liverpool’s midfield, Fabinho has been outstanding this season, and the former AS Monaco star more than deserves a spot in this combined XI for the FA Cup final.

CM – Thiago Alcantara

Another midfielder who has enjoyed their best year yet for Liverpool is Thiago Alcantara, who has enjoyed a fit-enough year to play week-in week-out for the Reds, and what an impact it has had.

The Spanish international has left both Liverpool fans and neutrals speechless at times with his touches, passes and overall quality, and Thiago will be hoping to start the FA Cup final after missing out on the League Cup final in February.

RW – Mohamed Salah

With 30 goals in all competitions and the favourite to win the PFA Player of the Season award, Mohamed Salah has been arguably Liverpool’s most important player this campaign, and the winger will be looking for silverware in the FA Cup final against Chelsea.

Facing his former side who cast him off without giving him a real chance, revenge should be on Salah’s mind ahead of the showcase fixture at Wembley, and the winger, now one of the best in the world, will be keen to blow the Blues out of the water.

ST – Diogo Jota

With Anfield hero Roberto Firmino taking a back seat this season and Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner having years to forget at Chelsea, Diogo Jota takes the striker position following an outstanding campaign for the Reds.

The Portuguese international has been a star for Klopp’s side in recent months and could well lead the line for Liverpool in the final against Chelsea, where Jota could cause some damage against the Blues.

LW – Sadio Mane

Completing the XI and the Liverpool front-three is of course Sadio Mane, who could be Liverpool’s most important attacker in the final against Chelsea based on his record in big games for the Reds.

A scorer in the UEFA Champions League final in 2018 and the recent semi-final win against Villarreal, Mane is heading into the FA Cup final against Chelsea in top form, and the Blues’ defence will have to be on guard of their to deny the Senegal international.

In other news, Arsenal target Hickey set £18m price tag by Bologna after breakout season