In Thrilling Final, Liverpool Clinch 9th Carabao Cup Against Chelsea

The New Diplomat
Writer

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Liverpool won the thrilling Carabao Cup final on a penalty shootout after Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga missed the crucial spot-kick.

After 20 penalties were scored, it went down to the goalkeepers to decide a thrilling final.

Caoimhin Kelleher scored his kick for Liverpool, but Kepa, who was brought on for the shoot-out after replacing Edouard Mendy, blazed his own over the crossbar as Liverpool won the cup.

After both Liverpool and Chelsea made a pro-Ukraine gesture before kick-off, Christian Pulisic had the first chance of the final but was denied by Kelleher, to set the tone of a breathless final.

The Blues were on top in a frantic opening to the game but Liverpool soon gained control. Chelsea’s Edouard Mendy kept his side in it as he produced a stunning double save to prevent Sadio Mane from point-blank range.

Mason Mount then had a huge chance moments before half-time but skewed his volley wide after being found by Kai Havertz in the box, as the sides went into the break level.

Mount had a further chance after the break as he was picked out by Pulisic, but could only dig a finish onto the post from under his feet, as Thomas Tuchel pounded the turf in frustration.

Liverpool thought they had taken the lead on 66 minutes when Joel Matip headed in from close range, only for it to be disallowed by VAR as Virgil van Dijk, who blocked Thiago Silva, was ruled offside.

Chelsea then had a goal disallowed after Timo Werner was offside before Havertz finished past Kelleher. Both goalkeepers made further saves to send the final into extra-time, as Mendy dived to keep out Van Dijk’s header and Kelleher stopped Romelu Lukaku’s flick with his feet.

Lukaku then had a goal disallowed by VAR after the striker went too early before firing past Kelleher. Chelsea had another goal disallowed, as Havertz saw his finish ruled out, as the match went to penalties.

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