Carabao Cup final kick-off time ‘to be moved amid police concerns over Chelsea and Liverpool fan clashes’

THE Carabao Cup final between Chelsea and Liverpool will reportedly be brought forward amid police concerns about fans clashing.

The Wembley showpiece on Sunday, February 25 could be moved from a 4.30pm kick-off to 3pm.

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Wembley Way is set to see fans arriving earlier for the Carabao Cup final as the kick-off is expected to be shifted from 4.30pm to 3pm[/caption]

Reuters

Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool will take on Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea[/caption]

The Mail say the Met Police want an earlier start time because they have deemed the first big final of the season to be high-risk.

It’s claimed the EFL still hoped to stick to a 4.30pm kick-off because of their contract with Sky Sports.

But following talks between league chiefs and police there could be a compromise – with a 3pm start apparently likely, rather than even earlier.

The Mail suggest more negotiations will take place over the next week.

The Sun has contacted the Met for comment on the possible change.

Chelsea and Liverpool also saw their FA Cup final in 2022 moved forward – to 4.30pm – after worries from police.

There was no trouble off the pitch – while the Reds triumphed 6-5 in a shootout on it following a 0-0 draw.

And the kick-off for last year’s FA Cup final was altered too.

The clash between Manchester rivals United and City on June 23 was shifted forward from 5.30pm to 3pm.

On that occasion, police were concerned that the later kick-off time would lead to some fans drinking excessively, with fears that might turn to violence.

Premier League leaders Liverpool squeezed through to next month’s Carabao Cup as Wednesday’s 1-1 draw at Fulham gave them a 3-2 semi-final triumph on aggregate.

In contrast, Mauricio Pochettino‘s Chelsea blitzed through, overturning a 1-0 first-leg loss at Middlesbrough with a 6-1 win at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday.