MATCHDAY: Liverpool and Chelsea meet in final of League Cup

Posted February 26, 2022 6:00 am

By The Associated Press

Liverpool's manager Jurgen Klopp reacts after the end of the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Leeds United at Anfield stadium in Liverpool, England, Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022. Liverpool win the game 6-0. (AP Photo/Jon Super) The Associated Press

A look at what's happening in European soccer on Sunday:

ENGLAND

The first domestic trophy of the season is up for grabs when Liverpool and Chelsea meet in the final of the League Cup. It will be the first time in five years that the competition will not be won by Manchester City. Liverpool is looking to win the League Cup for a record ninth time - it is currently tied on eight with City - while Chelsea has captured it five times, most recently in 2015. Chelsea, which has already won the Club World Cup this month, lost on its last visit to Wembley Stadium - to Leicester in the FA Cup final last season. There is one Premier League game taking place, with West Ham hosting Wolverhampton. The teams are in the fight for Champions League qualification and are separated by two points.

SPAIN

Sevilla hosts Real Betis in a clash of Spain's second- and third-place teams that comes just weeks after their previous derby was marred by fan violence. The last time Seville's rivals met, Sevilla player Joan JordÃ¡n was sent to the hospital after being hit by a piece of PVC hurled from the stands. The Copa del Rey game was suspended for one day, before Betis eventually prevailed. Sevilla is already nine points behind leader Real Madrid and can't afford to drop any more points. Barcelona plays Athletic Bilbao at Camp Nou after its best win since Xavi HernÃ¡ndez took over, a 4-2 victory at Napoli in the Europa League. Memphis Depay could return from injury for Barcelona, while Dani Alves is clear to play after serving a two-game suspension. Also, Villarreal faces Espanyol after its 1-1 draw with Juventus in the Champions League.

ITALY

Napoli can move to the top of Serie A with a win at Lazio but it will have to end a run of four matches without a victory. Napoli lost 4-2 at home to Barcelona on Thursday following three successive draws but a win in the capital would see it move level on points with league leader AC Milan. Lazio has only won one of its last five matches and also crashed out of Europe midweek, being eliminated by Porto. Roma will be hoping to keep up the pressure on the top four with a win at relegation-threatened Spezia. Fellow strugglers Venezia and Cagliari are also in action, against Hellas Verona and Torino, respectively.

GERMANY

Few observers know what to expect from Borussia Dortmund when it visits relegation-threatened Augsburg in the Bundesliga. Dortmund routed Borussia MÃ¶nchengladbach last weekend but its form of late has been marked by defeats such as the 5-2 loss at home to Bayer Leverkusen or its 4-2 loss at home to Rangers in the Europa League. Dortmund was knocked out of that competition on Thursday as it could only manage a 2-2 draw in the return game against the Scottish team. 'œWhenever Dortmund is playing, we guarantee drama because you never would see a 0-0. Even if we lose, it's spectacular,'ť Dortmund managing director Carsten Kramer said last week. Second-place Dortmund needs a win in Augsburg to keep pace with Bayern Munich. Leipzig hopes to win at Bochum to reclaim fourth place, the last for Champions League qualification.

FRANCE

Marseille can move three points clear in second place and the automatic Champions League spot with a win at struggling Troyes. Defending champion Lille is stuck in midtable and still searching for consistency as it visits a Lyon side in eighth place but showing signs of improvement. The signing of Tanguy Ndombele from Premier League Tottenham has clearly strengthened the team and he is forming a dynamic midfield unit with Lucas Paqueta and Maxence Caqueret. Elsewhere, Monaco needs to beat Reims at home to move closer to fourth place and the automatic Europa League slot.

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Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk celebrates with his teammates after scoring against Leeds United during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Leeds United at Anfield stadium in Liverpool, England, Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Jon Super) The Associated Press

Chelsea's head coach Thomas Tuchel gestures during the Champions League round of 16, first leg, soccer match between Chelsea and LOSC Lille at Stamford Bridge stadium in London, Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022. (AP Photo/Ian Walton) The Associated Press

Chelsea's head coach Thomas Tuchel, left, shakes hands with Chelsea's Andreas Chistensen at the end of the Champions League round of 16, first leg, soccer match between Chelsea and LOSC Lille at Stamford Bridge stadium in London, Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022. Chelsea won 2-0. (AP Photo/Ian Walton) The Associated Press

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