Craig Pawson calls time on a frantic first half, and it’s goalless at the break – although not for the want of trying.

Liverpool exploded out of the blocks, and could have been out of sight in the opening quarter of an hour.

However, Chelsea grew into the game after those early missed opportunities, and handed good chances of their own through Pulisic, Alonso and Lukaku.

Several players have required medical treatment in the opening 45 minutes, most notably Mo Salah, who ended up hobbling off to be replaced by Diogo Jota.

Photo Credit: ChelseaFC/Twitter

Kai Havertz has not been named in Chelsea’s FA Cup final squad after suffering from a hamstring issue ahead of the clash against Liverpool.

The German international travelled from Cobham with his teammates on Friday but was not named among the Blues’ substitutes as Romelu Lukaku, Christian Pulisic comprised Tuchel’s front three after the trio all scored against Leeds at Elland Road.

Whether Havertz or Lukaku were likely to start was one of the main talking points heading into the match against Jurgen Klopp’s side and it came as a surprise not to see the 22-year-old at least among the substitutes. The former Bayer Leverkusen ace is still present at Wembley however.

Jurgen Klopp makes five changes to the team that won at Aston Villa on Tuesday evening.

One of those is enforced following Fabinho’s injury, and the Brazilian is replaced in midfield by captain Jordan Henderson. Thiago Alcantara also returns to the middle of the park, replacing Curtis Jones.

In defence, Ibrahima Konate and Andy Robertson are giving the nod in place of Joel Matip and Kostas Tsimikas, while Mo Salah returns to the front free to play alongside Sadio Mane and Luis Diaz; Diogo Jota drops to the bench.

It’s the usual 4-3-3 shape for Klopp’s team, who have Alisson in goal despite Caoimhin Kelleher’s heroics in the League Cup final.

1 Alisson; 66 Alexander-Arnold, 5 Konate, 4 Van Dijk, 26 Robertson; 8 Keita, 14 Henderson, 6 Thiago; 11 Salah, 10 Mane, Diaz 23

Meanwhile, it’s just the one change for Chelsea following midweek success at Leeds – but it’s not the one that most were expecting.

And that’s because Mateo Kovacic has completed a sensational return to fitness after falling victim to that wild Dan James challenge at Elland Road.

The Croatian takes his place in midfield, and will play alongside skipper Jorginho.

Instead, it’s the want-away Andreas Christensen that loses his place, making way in the back three for Thiago Silva.

However, it’s the absence of Kai Havertz from the matchday squad completely that has left Blues fans scratching their social media heads.

Romelu Lukaku keeps his place up front after two goals in two games, and heads a 3-4-2-1 formation for Thomas Tuchel.

16 Mendy; 14 Chalobah, 6 Thiago Silva, 3 Rudiger; 24 James, 5 Jorginho, 8 Kovacic, 3 Alonso; 19 Mount, 10 Pulisic; 9 Lukaku