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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<ul><li>Chelsea set for more preparation time than Liverpool </li><li>Broadcasting issues force Liverpool to play Luton on Wednesday</li><li>Wembley showdown set for February 25 </li></ul><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

Explained: Why Chelsea have free week before Carabao Cup final but Liverpool have to play Luton on Wednesday

Premier League

Liverpool

Nottingham Forest

Bournemouth

Chelsea

The Reds secured their spot in the Carabao Cup final, beating Fulham in the last four, which will mark their first Wembley trip of the campaign. Initially, Liverpool had the week leading up to the final clear for preparation. However, a recent change in the fixture list has disrupted their plans.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Liverpool's encounter against Luton Town, originally scheduled for the weekend of the final, has been rescheduled to Wednesday, February 21. The tight turnaround necessitates recovery on Thursday, training on Friday, and travel to London on Saturday, offering minimal preparation time for Jurgen Klopp and his squad. In contrast, Chelsea benefits from an uninterrupted week leading up to the final. Their home clash against Tottenham, initially slated for February 23, remains unchanged.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

The fixture changes stem from broadcasting agreements and the selection of televised matches. Chelsea's fixture against Tottenham has already been chosen by Sky Sports, preventing any rescheduling due to conflicting Champions League ties. On the other hand,<a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/revealed-bizarre-reason-liverpool-luton-won-t-be-on-tv-jurgen-klopp-side-cram-in-premier-league-fixture-before-carabao-cup-final/blt584940f062132dd0" target="_blank"> Liverpool's match against Luton was not selected for TV broadcast </a>in the UK, leaving room for potential midweek rescheduling.

DID YOU KNOW?

While Chelsea and Tottenham mostly enjoy the luxury of free midweeks, Liverpool face a challenging schedule, thanks to their Europa League commitments. However, with <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/injury-disaster-liverpool-diogo-jota-knee-issue-curtis-jones-brentford-mohamed-salah-return/blt437ba0b65a27a61f" target="_blank">Mohamed Salah having returned to full fitness</a>, Jurgen Klopp will be confident to lift their first silverware of the season and keep alive their quadruple hopes.

WHAT NEXT?

Explained: Why Chelsea have free week before Carabao Cup final but Liverpool have to play Luton on Wednesday | Goal.com

Chelsea will get a full week to prepare for the Carabao Cup final while Liverpool have to play Luton on Wednesday due to fixture rearrangements.