After Liverpool and Chelsea booked themselves a place in the League Cup Final, the police have made a request to the FA for when the match at Wembley comes round
Chelsea and Liverpool’s League Cup Final clash may be brought forward after the Metropolitan Police asked for a new kick-off time.
It is the third time in three years the two Premier League goliaths will compete beneath the Wembley arch for one of the country’s domestic cups. In 2022, Jurgen Klopp’s side beat the West Londoners on penalties to win the League Cup and the FA Cup.
Mauricio Pochettino’s Blues will take on the Premier League leaders in the final on February 25 at 4:30pm. However, the Met has requested the game to be switched to a 3pm kick-off as they have categorised the match as ‘high risk’.
A spokesperson from the Met said: “Preparations for the EFL Cup policing operation are underway following the conclusion of the two semi-finals and we are working with partners including the Wembley Stadium, local authority and EFL on agreeing the kick off time
“Our partners are aware this match qualifies as a ‘high-risk’ fixture and in accordance with national guidance from the UK Football Policing Unit, this fixture should kick off no later than 3pm.”
The request may raise some eyebrows as both of the cup finals between the two teams in 2022 kicked off at 4.15pm and 4.30pm. There was not any discernible trouble happening in the stands or outside the stadium at either match.
The 4.0pm kick off is reportedly due to the EFL’s contract with Sky Sports. However, it’s also believed a move of kick-off time could be possible. Negotiations around the timing of the clash are understood to continue at the weekend
Last year’s FA Cup final clash between Manchester United and Manchester City on June 23 saw its kick-off time moved. The match was originally scheduled to start at 5.30pm, but it got brought forward to 3pm.
This is believed to be down to the police’s concern that the late kick-off time would encourage supporters of both sides to drink more excessively and for longer, thus resulting in a higher possibility of violence and drunken behaviour.
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