toptop
Liverpool
triumphed over Chelsea to win the Carabao Cup after Kepa Arrizabalaga missed the
decisive penalty in a marathon 11-10 shootout at Wembley.
Brought on by Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel for the shootout in the final
minute of extra-time, Kepa failed to save a single penalty, before blazing his
own effort over the bar to hand Liverpool victory after a goalless 120 minutes.
It was a remarkable moment that came three years after the previous defining
incident in Kepa's Chelsea career, when he refused Maurizio Sarri's instructions
for him to be removed ahead of their shootout defeat to Manchester City in the
2019 final.
For Liverpool it was a first Carabao Cup win since 2012, taking them ahead of
Manchester City again to become the outright most successful side in the history
of the competition with nine wins. It also ended Jurgen Klopp's wait for a first
domestic cup trophy with the club.
Analysis: 'Ridiculous' decision to
bring on Kepa
Sky Sports' Jamie Redknapp:
"I hope it puts to bed the idea of bringing on goalkeepers on for shootouts.
Mendy's one of the world's best goalkeepers, and then you bring on Kepa instead,
ridiculous.
"I didn't like his behaviour when the penalties were being taken, and then he
took one of the worst penalties you'll ever see. I don't understand why you'd do
it."
Sky Sports' Gary Neville:
"I don't like it [subbing goalkeepers on for shootouts]. It's not the time to
analyse that, it could've paid off. They obviously know Kepa's got an excellent
penalty-saving record, but I still don't understand it.
"Mendy's been outstanding and made saves all the way through the game, he's got
the atmosphere, the feeling, he's warmed up."
Chelsea miss three huge chances to win game
Liverpool were dominating the ball but Chelsea were creating the clear openings.
They had three massive opportunities to take the lead, but Christian Pulisic was
denied by Caoimhin Kelleher early on, then Mason Mount either side of half-time
lacked the composure to find the back of the net when presented with glorious
opportunities.
They were the type of moments that should have been gobbled up by an elite
striker, but Romelu Lukaku was again named on the bench by Tuchel.
Mendy's mixed moments
Edouard Mendy produced an amazing double save to prevent Liverpool from taking
the lead in the Carabao Cup final
Liverpool also had a huge chance of their own on the half-hour mark, only to be
denied by Eduoard Mendy's remarkable double save.
First he got down low to deny Naby Keita's shot from the edge of the box, before
reacting with incredible speed to push Sadio Mane's follow-up effort over the
bar from point-blank range.
He did, however, nearly cost his side on 65 minutes with a poor clearance that
allowed Mane to play in Mohamed Salah. But even the Premier League's most
clinical finisher was found wanting as his attempted dink was cleared away from
the line by Thiago Silva.
VAR denies Liverpool the opener
Joel Matip thought he had scored the opener, but the goal was ruled out after
VAR asked the referee to watch the incident again
Moments later Liverpool thought they had taken the lead as a smart free-kick
routine led to Mane heading across for Joel Matip to convert from a couple of
yards out, but after a lengthy VAR check it was ruled out. Virgil van Dijk the
man responsible, as he was deemed to be impeding Reece James in the build-up
from an offside position.
Kepa introduction proves decisive as Liverpool triumph
Eventually Lukaku was introduced and for a split second early in extra-time he
thought he had given Chelsea the lead. But VAR showed the striker was fractions
offside as he raced in behind onto a Trevoh Chalobah pass before finishing past
Kelleher.
Chelsea had the ball in the back of the net again in the second half of
extra-time as Kai Havertz turned and finished, but once again the Blues were
thwarted by the flag, with the Germany international narrowly offside.
Eventually the game went to penalties as Kepa was introduced, but he failed to
save a single penalty before sending his over the bar to hand Liverpool victory.
What's next?
Luton are next up for Chelsea on Wednesday in the FA Cup. Liverpool host Norwich
in the FA Cup last 16 on Wednesday before returning to Premier League duties on
Saturday at home to West Ham, a game live on Sky Sports.
Teams
Chelsea Mendy (Kepa 120), Chalobah, Silva, Rudiger, Azpilicueta
(c) (James 57), Kante, Kovacic (Jorginho 106), Alonso, Mount (Lukaku 74),
Pulisic (Werner 74), Havertz
Subs Not Used Sarr, Loftus-Cheek, Saul, Hudson-Odoi
Booked Kovacic, Kante, Havertz
Goals
Liverpool Kelleher, Robertson, van Dijk, Matip (Konate 91),
Alexander-Arnold, Keita (Milner 80), Fabinho, Henderson (c) (Elliott 79), Diaz
(Origi 97), Mane (Jota 80), Salah
Subs Not Used Becker, Tsimikas, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Minamino
Booked Alexander-Arnold
Goals
Attendance 85,512
Referee Stuart Attwell
VAR Darren England