Chelsea set unwanted record with defeat by Liverpool in Carabao Cup final

Chelsea have now lost their last six cup finals after their dismal Wembley record extended with Sunday's Carabao Cup final defeat against Liverpool.

The Blues were downed late on by Virgil van Dijk's extra-time header. It was the second time that he had found the net after seeing a prior strike ruled out due to a contentious VAR call.

The Blues actually thought they had gone ahead in the first half after Raheem Sterling tapped home Nicolas Jackson's cross. However, the linesman's flag intervened to cut his celebrations short - a call that VAR agreed with.

While Van Dijk's winner would have been a sickener for Blues fans, it is a feeling that they are getting used to. The Blues have now lost their last six major finals at the new Wembley, including in the League Cup and FA Cup.

Away from Sunday's defeat, they have also lost in the same competition in 2019 and 2022. That record also extends into the FA Cup. Chelsea reached the final of the competition in 2017, 2020, 2021 and 2022 but lost them all. Their most recent defeat in the FA Cup also came at the hands of Liverpool - the Reds running out victorious on penalties.

The Blues' nearest competition is Newcastle who have been defeated in their previous five appearances in major finals. The Magpies' most recent defeat is as fresh in the memory as the Blues'.

Eddie Howe's men reached last season's Carabao Cup final after a dream run to Wembley but fell to defeat after goals from Casemiro and Marcus Rashford. Fortunately for Chelsea, they could yet have another chance to claim silverware before the end of the campaign.

Pochettino's side are still in the FA Cup. They take on Leeds in the fifth round of the competition on Wednesday at Stamford Bridge. Should they find a way past the