Team News: Romelu Lukaku handed Chelsea start in FA Cup final

Romelu Lukaku has been rewarded for his recent good form with a start for Chelsea against Liverpool in Saturday's FA Cup final.

The Belgian has scored three goals in Premier League fixtures versus Wolverhampton Wanderers and Leeds United, earning him the nod down the middle of the attack.

Kai Havertz does not feature in the squad, presumably because of injury, and Timo Werner is only named on the substitutes' bench with Mason Mount and Christian Pulisic getting the nod as Lukaku's support act.

Mateo Kovacic has passed a fitness test on an ankle injury to partner Jorginho in midfield, with N'Golo Kante only being selected among the replacements after three matches on the sidelines.

Thomas Tuchel has opted to select Trevoh Chalobah on the right-hand side of the back three ahead of Cesar Azpilicueta, who is on the substitutes' bench, and Andreas Christensen, who misses out entirely.

The remainder of the starting lineup is as expected, with first-choice goalkeeper Edouard Mendy remaining ahead of Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Liverpool: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Thiago, Keita; Diaz, Salah, Mane Subs: Kelleher, Milner, Firmino, Gomez, Jones, Jota, Tsimikas, Origi, Matip

Chelsea: Mendy; Chalobah, Silva, Rudiger; James, Jorginho, Kovacic, Alonso; Mount, Pulisic; Lukaku Subs: Arrizabalaga, Kante, Werner, Loftus-Cheek, Saul, Barkley, Ziyech, Azpilicueta, Sarr