. Wembley, UK
Chelsea-Liverpool FA Cup final: Klopp has 'no idea' of Tuchel's tactics
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp. (Photo Credit: Instagram/liverpoolfc)
- Chelsea and Liverpool face off at Wembley for the FA Cup final
- Liverpool have had an extra day of rest before the match
- Chelsea is coached by Thomas Tuchel while Jurgen Klopp coaches Liverpool
Chelsea and Liverpool face off at Wembley for the FA Cup final, as the latter still holds on to dreams of quadruple glory at the end of the season. However, ahead of the match, Merseyside coach Jurgen Klopp has admitted to not knowing how his German compatriot and opposite number at Chelsea will set up the squad.
Speaking to the press ahead of the big fixture, the 54-year-old said he had "no idea" how the Stamford Bridge coach would set up Chelsea's attack. Klopp noted, "Chelsea are a really, really well-coached team", adding, "They have an idea for all different areas of the game, that's how it is."
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He continued, "They play a similar system to other teams, but a different level. They're very organised defensively and offensively they have so much talent."
The Blues' front three have been in good form, giving Tuchel a tough choice for the coming fixture. Romelu Lukaku, Mason Mount, and Christian Pulisic all scored, marking back to back starts for Lukaku and Pulisic, but a return from a weekend pause for Mount.
Meanwhile, Kai Havertz, Timo Werner, and Hakim Ziyech were all benched for the Leeds Premier League fixture.
Chelsea's dilemma affects Liverpool too, as Klopp explained, saying "We have no idea how Thomas will set up for example, they have so many different options in offensive areas. Werner, Ziyech and Havertz didn't start the last game. All three could start, for example, and it gives a completely different dynamic to Mount, Lukaku and Pulisic."
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While Klopp isn't sure of the offensive strategy, the German is sure of Chelsea's plans for defence, and he outlined the same, saying "They can play with two strikers, one and two 10s. The only thing that's clear is they defend with five in the last line."
Klopp's praise aside, Tuchel has been worried about team weariness going into the final, especially since Liverpool have had an extra day of rest. That is likely to reflect in the coach's team selection too.