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Liverpool beat Chelsea 11-10 in a dramatic shootout following 120 goalless minutes to win the 2021-22 Carabao Cup. It was their first win in the competition in ten years.
The game went down to the wire before the Reds were crowned champions. It had its share of chances, rued opportunities, VAR controversies and intense battles. Chelsea and Liverpool tussled for 90 minutes and an additional 30 in extra time, but couldn't be separated as a shootout ensued.
Both teams combined to score the first 21 penalties before Kepa Arrizabalaga, who came on just before the shootout, blazed his effort over to bring the game to a close.
On that note, here's a look at five talking points from the game:
#5 Edouard Mendy and Caoimhin Kelleher produce stellar performances
Both goalkeepers were exceptional in the Carabao Cup final. Edouard Mendy made some stunning saves to deny Naby Keita and Sadio Mane. The Blues goalkeeper was on his toes, sniffing out every danger. His reflexes were ultra sharp as he kept his team in the contest.
Caoimhin Kelleher, meanwhile, was equally brilliant. The 23-year-old was alert to every situation to keep out the Blues.
Jurgen Klopp raised some eyebrows when he started Kelleher ahead of Alisson Becker, but Kelleher rose to the occasion and delivered. He also scored his penalty in a 'perfect' shootout for the Reds.
#4 Chelsea's Mason Mount has a game to forget
Mason Mount did not have the best of games against the Reds. Poor finishing combined with bad luck summed up his evening. The Englishman missed two big chances in the game either side of the half-time break.
For his first big miss of the game, he sidefooted his effort wide after some great work from Kai Havertz. For his second, the Chelsea midfielder saw his shot come off the woodwork. After beating the offside trap, he failed to control the ball well as the opportunity went begging.
#3 Romelu Lukaku starts on the bench
Romelu Lukaku started from the bench against Liverpool as Thomas Tuchel started with Kai Havertz. The young German played as a false nine, a gamble that didn't pay dividends.
Tuchel's decision to leave out both Lukaku and Timo Werner allowed Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip to have a field day. The trio of Havertz, Mount and Christian Pulisic failed to make the desired impact up front. Not only did they fail to score, they allowed Liverpool the breathing space to build up attacks.
Lukaku did come on in the 73rd minute, but saw a point-blank range effort saved by Kelleher. The big Belgian did score in the epic shootout that ensued, though.
#2 Luis Diaz shines for Liverpool
Luis Diaz shone against Chelsea in his first final for his new club. The 25-year-old dazzled on the right wing. He was the most dangerous Liverpool attacker throughout the game. Diaz gave Chelsea defenders a torrid time as he was able to breach their backline on numerous occasions.
The Colombian won six duels, made seven recoveries, won two tackles and made one clearance during his stay on the pitch. Moreover, he looked threatening every time he advanced high up the field.
He has been a revelation since joining the Reds in January as he is cementing his place in the XI with every passing game.
#1 Kelleher scores, Kepa misses in dramatic shootout
Following 120 minutes of rivetting end-to-end stuff, the game went to penalties. Chelsea subbed in Arrizabalaga for Edouard Mendy just before the shootout.
James Milner stepped up to take the first penalty for Liverpool, which he scored. Following that, Fabinho, Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah, Diogo Jota, Divock Origi, Andy Robertson, Harvey Elliott, Ibrahima Konate and goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher - all scored from the spot for the Reds.
Meanwhile, for the Blues, Marcos Alonso, Romelu Lukaku, Kai Havertz, Reece James, Jorginho, Antonio Rudiger, N'Golo Kante, Timo Werner, Thiago Silva and Trevoh Chalobah beat Kepa. The substitute keeper guessed the right way for a few, but couldn't keep out any of the 11 penalties he faced.
As things turned out, Kepa produced the only miss of an epic shootout, blazing his effort over the crossbar.
Playing their first domestic Cup final in six years, Liverpool won the Carabao Cup for the ninth time to pull clear of Manchester City. Meanwhile, Chelsea were looking to win the competition for the sixth time. Three years earlier, the Blues fell short in another Carabao Cup final shootout, against Manchester City.
