DIAZ READY TO DAZZLE IN CUP
Colombian can give Klopp a farewell trophy
JURGEN KLOPP can claim the first silverware of his Anfield farewell season tomorrow.
The German’s Liverpool side are 6-5 favourites with Betfred to see off Chelsea at Wembley in the Carabao Cup final.
And bearing in mind Klopp’s record against opposite number Mauricio Pochettino, it should be the Liverpool boss who is celebrating at teatime.
Pochettino has got the better of Klopp only once in 13 managerial meetings, losing seven and drawing four.
His Chelsea side at 9-4 outsiders with bet365 to lift the trophy in 90 minutes, with the draw a bestpriced 53-20 with Unibet.
And despite the Blues commendably holding Manchester City to a 1-1 draw at the Etihad last weekend, it’s less than a month since Liverpool romped to a 4-1 win over Chelsea at Anfield.
The Reds also banged in four second-half goals in midweek against Luton by way of a warm-up, so I reckon they can secure the trophy with a couple of goals to spare.
Liverpool’s last six Carabao Cup matches have seen both teams score – but I think they might buck the trend this time with a 2-0 victory at general odds of 11-1.
Even though Klopp is complaining his side shouldn’t be favourites because of their lengthy injury list, he was able to brush aside the Hatters without Mo Salah or Darwin Nunez and both could return tomorrow.
But it could be Luis Diaz that could hold the key for Klopp.
The Colombian, 27, has scored 10 goals in 34 appearances this season and two of those came against Chelsea, both at Anfield and Stamford Bridge.
Diaz is certainly on form with four goals and two assists in his last six starts and is a tasty 3-1 to score at any time – although I’d be tempted by the 9-1 that he nets the last goal.
The Liverpool winger is always keen to have a pop at goal and with 22 shots on target in 25 league games, he’s worth keeping an eye on.
It could certainly pay to take Sky Bet’s Requestabet odds of 6-1 that Diaz gets two shots on target, each team earns three or more corners and there are 40-plus booking points in the 90 minutes.
His Liverpool team-mate Cody Gakpo is another player to follow after he struck two goals in his last two games.
If he gets the nod to start, as he did in midweek, then he could be worth backing at 13-2 to get the opening goal, while he’s 9-4 to score at any time.
Chelsea’s threat could well come from Cole Palmer and so Sky Bet’s 9-2 Requestabet odds, that he gets two shots on target, each team wins three corners and there are 30-plus booking points, could also pay dividends.
In the Premier League this weekend, I fancy a four-timer that will pay more than 7-2.
Therefore I’d back 8-15 shots Aston Villa to beat Nottingham Forest at home, Manchester United to beat visitors Fulham at the same price, 4-11 favourites Arsenal to sink Newcastle at the Emirates and tomorrow, Wolves to edge out Sheffield United at Molineux at odds of 4-9.