Liverpool has won the first piece of trophy of the English football season, defeating Chelsea in a thrilling penalty shootout in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley Stadium.
Jurgen Klopp won his first domestic cup as Liverpool manager after losing his only previous final, the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City in 2016-17.
Chelsea, on the other hand, continued their poor recent record in Wembley finals, having now lost 10 of their previous 11 showpieces spanning the FA Cup, Carabao Cup, and Community Shield.
The Blues have had a rollercoaster few weeks, with fresh highs such as winning the FIFA Club World Cup and new lows such as the uncertainty surrounding their structure following Roman Abramovich’s handover of the club amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Nothing could separate the teams throughout the course of 120 minutes, with both sides creating several opportunities. Edouard Mendy was Chelsea’s savior at one end, wonderfully thwarting Liverpool on many occasions. Liverpool also put the ball in the net, but a VAR check cut short the frenzied celebrations in the terraces after Joel Matip’s second-half header.
Mason Mount, on the other hand, was at the heart of the Blues’ finest opportunities, but he missed two chances when he should’ve converted. Christian Pulisic also missed a golden opportunity early on. To turn the screw, Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner were inserted, but a couple of offside goals ensured the game stayed scoreless.
It went to penalties, and the story was a work of art. As a spot-kick specialist, Kepa Arrizabalaga replaced Mendy, who had refused to be pulled off by Maurizio Sarri in very identical circumstances in the 2018-19 Carabao Cup final.
Both sides’ 10 outfielders converted their penalties, leaving Kepa and Caoimhin Kelleher helpless. The two men then took their own steps up to the place. Kelleher put it in, while Kepa missed his, sending the Liverpool supporters in the stands wild.