History repeats as Liverpool beat Chelsea on penalties again

Liverpool and Chelsea played out a repeat of the Carabao Cup final as the Reds completed a cup double with a penalty shootout victory.

Action: In a replay of this season’s Carabao Cup final that Liverpool won on penalties, it was the Reds who started out the better of the two teams. 

Eight minutes in, Trent Alexander-Arnold made a superb pass with the outside of his right boot to feed Luis Díaz in behind the Chelsea defence. The Colombian couldn’t finish the move with Édouard Mendy making a fine stop.

Chelsea grew into the game and had their own chances. Christian Pulisic shooting just wide and Marcos Alonso having an effort blocked by Allison.

Jürgen Klopp was forced into a premature change when Mohamed Salah had to come off with an injury after just over a half hour gone into the game. Diogo Jota came on in his place and the Reds will have to sweat on the fitness of the Egyptian for the remaining games of the season.

It was the Blues who started the second half the better with Alonso and Pulisic both having chances within the opening minutes of the restart. Alonso also struck the bar with a whipped in free-kick delivery that Allison couldn’t get to. 

Liverpool had chances to, mostly from Luis Díaz, who was the Reds’ most threatening player. 

With the game still goalless and extra-time looming Liverpool had two golden chances to win it within seconds but the woodwork denied them each time. Díaz first hitting outside of Mendy’s post when he found space in the Chelsea box and then Andy Robertson couldn’t make proper contact with a wicked delivery from James Milner. 

As extra-time started it was apparently exactly how this one would end with both teams tiring and the pace of the game slowing down rapidly to set up another penalty shootout. 

Liverpool had the advantage in the shoot-out when César Azpilicueta struck the post when taking Chelsea’s second penalty. Sadio Mané could have won it with Liverpool’s final spot kick but Mendy got down low to save.

So it went to sudden death, with Hakim Ziyech and Diogo Jota putting their penalties away. It was Mason Mount who, looking nervous in his run-up, sent in an effort that Alisson saved to give Liverpool the chance to win.

Kostas Tsimikas – who came on in the 111th minute for Andy Robertson – was the unlikely hero for the Reds with his cool penalty to Liverpool a domestic cup double, their first FA Cup victory since 2006, and keep the quadruple dream alive.

Man of the Match: The game didn't have a goal but the one player who looked most likely to create something was Luis Díaz. The Colombian was a constant threat for Liverpool and was unlucky not to score before being replaced.

xG: Chelsea (1.27) 0-0 (2.13) Liverpool (after 90 minutes)

WE ARE THE #EmiratesFACup WINNERS!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/eZMe5IRbB2

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 14, 2022