Liverpool started with a whirlwind and brought The Blues constantly in trouble. The highlight was a ‘billiard pass’ with outside foot from Trent Alexander-Arnold, after which Luiz Diaz ran into Edouard Mendy. But after fifteen minutes Chelsea reported more and more emphatically and Christian Pulisic also had a good chance at the 1-0, but he slid wide. Then the next big chance was for Marcos Alonso, but Alisson Becker showed why he is one of the best goalkeepers in the world. The Brazilian was injured in that action, but was able to continue after a short treatment to his knee.
That was not the case with Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian grabbed his groin after half an hour and had to leave the field. It is hoped for him that it is not serious in view of, among other things, the Champions League final against Real Madrid, a re-release of the final from four years ago. The Liverpool attacker was out before half-time with an injury and will undoubtedly want revenge. His replacement Diogo Jota had the best chance in the remainder of the first half, but lifted a measured cross over the enemy’s goal.
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While Liverpool started great in the first half, Chelsea did so after the break. With Alonso and Pulisic there were two big chances within two minutes and a few seconds later Alonso aimed a free kick against the woodwork. Then Liverpool founded. Diaz (once outside the post) was particularly menacing, although Andrew Robertson was closest to the opening goal. Seven minutes before the end, he aimed at the post from close range.
Injury Van Dijk
Thus, just like earlier this season, it was 0-0 in the League Cup final and thus extended. The extension started without Virgil van Dijk. The Dutch defender was therefore the second star player of Liverpool who had to drop out injured. It was not clear why he failed to complete the match or whether it was serious.
In the first half of extra time, Chelsea, where Hakim Ziyech had come in, was supreme. Liverpool did not come out of their own sixteen for minutes, but gave away few opportunities. Just before the 120 minutes were up, Chelsea coach Thomas Tüchel made another remarkable substitution. He pulled Ruben Loftus-Cheek aside, while he had come in only 13 minutes earlier and there were no clear signs of an injury at first sight. So in the end, just like in the League Cup final, it became penalties. On February 27, Liverpool won after no fewer than 24 penalties, when keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga (now on the bench) was the only one to miss.
The first miss came much earlier now. Cesar Azpilicueta hit the post in the second Chelsea attempt. Although Mendy was there twice, Sadio Mane was allowed to dock a little later for the win in the FA Cup. This time the goalkeeper’s touch was good and he turned his compatriot’s bet. Hakim Ziyech – who had to wait a long time because of a torch thrown on the field – then scored flawlessly, but so did Jota. Former Vitessenaar Mason Mount then missed, giving Liverpool a second chance to decide. Konstantinos Tsimikas (ex-Willem II) did the job and gave Liverpool its second prize of the season.