Chelsea 0(10)-0(11) Liverpool: 5 Talking Points as Reds triumph in epic shootout | Carabao Cup 2021-22

#3 Romelu Lukaku starts on the bench

Excluding Romelu Lukaku was a big gamble by Tuchel.

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.

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#2 Luis Diaz shines for Liverpool

Luis Diaz had an impactful performance against the Blues.

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

Chelsea vs Liverpool - Carabao Cup Final

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.