Chelsea-Liverpool on penalties (5-6). The FA Cup is won by Klopp’s Reds

Liverpool take the Cup, after two posts and dozens of wasted opportunities. Victory comes only on penalties, the right ending after 120 minutes spent on clean sheets. Were it not for a couple of changes apiece in the starting formations, the FA Cup final against Chelsea would seem to be the remake of the confrontation at the end of February, when Klopp blew Tuchel the success in the Carabao Cup. The hero of the day is not, however. the goalkeeper Kelleher, that time the protagonist with the decisive shot from the spot. In his place Tsimikas takes the chair, who kicks the seventh penalty straight into the low corner: the Greek thus gives the Reds the second trophy of the season… at least until now. Around Anfield, now more than ever, the dream of a quadruple historian could still turn into reality.

TRUST ROMELU

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In the Wembley match, the Blues must do without Kai Havertz, the man who – just a year ago – was decisive in the Champions League final. The German stopped for a problem with his knee ligament, Lukaku took his place, returning from three goals in the last two outings. The surprises do not end there: outside Azpilicueta and inside Chalobah, in midfield is Kovacic, who recovers from an injury in record time. Klopp relies, however, on his loyalists, fielding Salah, Manè and Diaz forward.

READY AND … DIAZ

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The Reds start strong thanks to the Colombian, who drives Chalobah crazy and packs three scoring chances in ten minutes. Chelsea risk a lot, Pulisic thinks to wake him up, first touching the post and then putting Alonso face to face with Alisson. The Brazilian closes the shutter and saves the result, but in the 33rd minute bad news arrives, just two weeks before the Champions League final against Real, for the Liverpool fans: Salah gets hurt and is forced to ask for the change, Klopp chooses Jota, who immediately becomes dangerous. Before the break, a little bit of the old Lukaku is also visible: the Belgian gets rid of Van Dijk and manages to turn around in the area, but in the end he shoots up a breath.

HAPPY REDS

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The start of the second half alone is worth the ticket price. In 7 ‘everything happens: Chelsea seeks the goal with Pulisic and touches it twice again with Alonso, who hits the crossbar with a shot from a tight angle. Liverpool respond with Robertson and the tireless Diaz who, at the stroke of the hour of play, returns to the assault of the Blues penalty area. The former Porto kicks from all positions and, in the final, also hits a post. The same happens to Robertson, who sensationally misses the appointment with the 1-0 in the 84th minute: the match does not unlock and, to elect a winner, you have to go to extra time… and beyond.

PENALTY SHOOTOUT

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Nothing to do until 120 ‘: the pace slows down, the minutes pass, after half an hour without emotions we still end up on penalties. This time Tuchel does not insert the penalty-keeper Kepa, Mendy repays his confidence and – after Azpilicueta’s mistake – keeps Chelsea in the game by rejecting the fifth penalty Reds, kicked by compatriot Manè. The seventh lap is the decisive one: Alisson saves on Mount, Tsimikas makes no mistake. And Liverpool take home the eighth FA Cup in their history.