LIVERPOOL won the Carabao Cup after beating Chelsea 11-10 on penalties followwing120 minutes of goalless action.
Kepa Arrizabalaga missed the crucial penalty and saved none despite coming on late in extra-time to be Chelsea’s shootout hero.
Chelsea had three goals ruled out for offside in normal time while Liverpool had one of their own disallowed.
But victory was for Liverpool, who won their first domestic cup since 2012.
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Mendy reacts to Kepa miss
Edouard Mendy was left with his head in his hands after his replacement Kepa Arrizabalaga missed the decisive penalty in the Carabao Cup final shootout.
The 29-year-old was taken off in the last minute of extra-time against Liverpool with Thomas Tuchel favouring supposed spot-kick specialist Kepa.
But the German gaffer’s decision backfired as the Spain international failed to save any of Liverpool’s ELEVEN efforts on goal from 12 yards out – including from opposite number Caoimhin Kelleher.
Kepa then blazed his deciding penalty high over the bar to hand the trophy to Jurgen Klopp’s men.
Tearful Thiago to be assessed
Liverpool face an anxious wait to discover the extent of Thiago’s hamstring injury sustained in the warm-up just minutes before yesterday’s League Cup Final was due to start.
The Spanish midfielder was then spotted on the bench in tears at the game’s kick-off, having to be consoled by substitute goalkeeper Alisson.
The Reds will be hoping for good news with the player seen as pivotal to the club’s Premier League title challenge.
Thiago was certainly a much happier figure by the end of Sunday’s contest, and was able to participate in the on-field celebrations with his teammates.
FA quiz flare player Elliott
The Football Association have written to Harvey Elliott for his observations following the celebrations at the end of yesterday’s League Cup Final, in which he was seen handling a red flare.
Elliott was a second half substitute at Wembley, despite not being named in Liverpool’s original squad.
The teenager was called on to the bench minutes before kick-off when starter Thiago pulled out with an injury sustained in the warm-up.
Liverpool Football Club have declined to comment to Sky Sports on the incident.
Dermot Gallagher defends Atwell decision
Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has jumped to the defence of Stuart Atwell after he came in for criticism for allowing Naby Keita’s challenge on Trevoh Chalobah to go unpunished.
Atwell let a lot go at Wembley, which added to the thrilling tempo at which Sunday’s League Cup Final was played, and Gallagher believes the referee deserves praise not blame.
Speaking on Sky Sports News’ Ref Watch, Gallagher said: “I don’t think it was a malicious challenge. Both players were as high as each other.
“Perhaps the wisest decision would have been to stop play immediately, but he didn’t – that was how he refereed the game, and I thought he refereed it brilliantly.”
Chalobah hits out at Atwell
Many pundits agreed that League Cup referee Stuart Atwell handled yesterday’s frantic final between Chelsea and Liverpool well, but still got one major decision wrong.
The officials, both on field and at Stockley Park, took no action when Naby Keita caught Trevoh Chalobah in the groin with his studs during the second half.
Chalobah certainly felt the full force of Keita’s boot, and was still sore afterwards when he tweeted that he required stitches following the challenge.
The defender added that the ‘referee is right there’ when the incident takes place, leaving him baffled by the lack of punishment for the Liverpool midfielder.
Credit: @TrevohChalobah Robertson and Henderson’s playful battle
Andy Robertson playfully accused Liverpool team-mate Jordan Henderson of doubting that he’d score his penalty against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final.
But Roberston slotted his effort and the Reds went on to win the tournament.
And while the Reds were celebrating in the dressing room, Robertson called out Henderson for his lack of faith.
He said to his team-mates while addressing Henderson in a jovial manner: “He didn’t back me, he didn’t back me,”
However, Henderson didn’t see things the same way and hit back: “Of course I backed you.”
Kep going forward
Kepa has broken his silence after his penalty shoot-out nightmare against Liverpool.
Last night Kepa took to social media to thank supporters… while defiantly claiming that he will rise again.
He wrote: “To fall and rise.
“Disappointed after big effort during the tournament. We keep working.
“Thanks @chelseafc family for your support.”
Redknapp slams Kepa’s shootout gamesmanship
Jamie Redknapp has slammed Kepa Arrizabalaga’s gamesmanship during yesterday’s League Cup final penalty shoot-out.
The Spaniard was brought off the bench by boss Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel, having saved four spot-kicks in shoot-outs this season.
Redknapp, 48, blasted: “Ridiculous. I didn’t like his behaviour when the penalties were being taken and then he took one of the worst penalties you’ve ever seen.
“I’m just being honest. I don’t like it. I don’t understand why you do it.
“You’ve got one of the best goalkeepers in the world, he should have stayed in there in the first place.
“But full credit to Liverpool – amazing game.”
Raging Reds are Europe’s best
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel labelled Liverpool potentially the best attacking side in Europe after the Blues lost to the Reds in the Carabao Cup final.
Tuchel said after the game: “We have to accept the quality of the opponent.
“This is maybe the most dangerous attacking side in Europe at the moment and they are full of individual quality and playing such a high rhythm.
“Defending like this and playing like this on this level made me very proud today. I saw a brilliant match of football, all 120 minutes, and we played a huge part in it.”
Kelleher to the rescue
Liverpool star Andy Roberston has revealed he was desperate for the Reds’ keeper Caoimhin Kelleher to save a Chelsea penalty kick in the Carabao Cup final.
Robertson was so keen for Kelleher to stop atleast one of Chelsea’s spot-kicks to alleviate the pressure on his shoulders before he had to step up.
Robertson, told LFCTV after Liverpool’s win: “I was desperate for him (Kelleher) to save one, especially when I knew mine was coming up.
“But his penalty was ridiculous and keepers… I think that’s where penalty shoot-outs are horrible when it gets to the end and it’s lads that are the least confident and don’t really want to take one.
“They sometimes decide the finals and it’s tough. But Caoimhin’s penalty was different class and then obviously their keeper blasted it over the bar. So the most important thing was we won it and whatever way we were willing to do it, whatever way possible.
“It had to go to penalties and luckily we all scored ours!”
Extra! Read all about it!
Before we call time on an extraordinary day of cup final football, let’s take a recap on all that went down (and up, if we’re talking about Kepa’s penalty) at Wembley. Here’s Charlie Wyatt’s match report, hot off the press.
We had a truly classic finish with one of the greatest penalty shoots-out the new stadium has seen. And in the end, Chelsea keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, the penalty king introduced to save the day, hit a terrible penalty to hand Liverpool their first domestic Cup for 10 years. It was breathless stuff.
Top ten for victorious Klopp
Not only did Jurgen Klopp become the first German manager to win the English League Cup, he also made it ten trophies in his coaching career.
An elite football manager.
Credit: @OptaJoe Twitter King Kelleher on the wall
Caoimhin Kelleher was the unlikely hero for Liverpool as they claimed the League Cup for a record ninth time.
The Reds’ back-up stopper made some fine saves during the 120 minutes and then played a pivotal part in the penalty shootout – just not in the way he would have expected.
After the first 20 kicks had been scored, attention turned to the two goalkeepers. The young Irishman struck first, putting his penalty away brilliantly, before watching on as his opposite number struck his into orbit.
It’s a mad one! Jurgen said ‘there’s a wall with all the Liverpool goalkeepers who have won cups so now you can go on that!'”
Caoimhin Kelleher
Ecstatic Reds take the trophy
The celebrations continue. A late switch means that the trophy lift will take place in the stands rather than on the pitch so Liverpool’s victorious players ascend the stairs like to so many have done them.
As captain, Jordan Henderson is the one who lifts the trophy, but such is the togetherness in this Liverpool squad that they all join in – even the unused substitutes, and those not included in the matchday squad.
Redknapp slams Kepa penalty switch
Jamie Redknapp has put the boot into Chelsea’s decision to bring Kepa Arrizabalaga on for the penalty shootout – almost with as much force as the Spaniard sent his spotkick over the crossbar with.
I hope it puts to bed these substitutions of putting goalkeepers on. Edouard Mendy is one of the best goalkeepers in the world and you bring on Kepa instead of him – ridiculous! I didn’t like his behaviour when the penalties were being taken, and then he took one of the worst penalties you’ve ever seen. I don’t like it!
Jamie Redknapp
Liverpool win the League Cup!
You really couldn’t make it up.
The man brought on to save the penalties (and didn’t save a single one) has missed the vital kick to hand the cup to Liverpool.
The Chelsea players huddle around Kepa Arrizabalaga, but know that this time their tactical tweak did not work. Who knows if Edouard Mendy would have saved any of those 11 Liverpool spotkicks, but he allowed very little to beat him during 120 minutes.
At one end of Wembley, a sea of red – on the pitch and in the stands – come together to celebrate the first domestic trophy of the season.
Missed! Kepa Arrizabalaga blasts over the bar!
Liverpool win the League Cup Final!
Chelsea 10-11 Liverpool
Goal! Caoimhin Kelleher scores!
What a penalty!
Chelsea 10-11 Liverpool
Goal! Trevoh Chalobah scores!
The defender makes it the full set for the outfield players. It’s down to the keepers.
Chelsea 10-10 Liverpool
Goal! Ibrahima Konate scores!
Only just! Kepa gets a hand to it, but is not strong enough to keep it out.
Chelsea 9-10 Liverpool
Goal! Thiago Silva scores!
On it goes! So nicely done by the Brazilian.
Chelsea 9-9 Liverpool
Goal! Harvey Elliott scores!
Nicely done by the teenager! Left-footed, and again Kepa dives the wrong way.
Chelsea 8-9 Liverpool
Goal! Timo Werner scores!
Just! The shot creeps under Kelleher’s hand!
Chelsea 8-8 Liverpool
Goal! Andy Robertson scores!
Low and left-footed! No chance Kepa!
Chelsea 7-8 Liverpool
Goal! N’Golo Kante saves
Cool and calm from Kante, sending Kelleher the wrong way.
Chelsea 7-7 Liverpool
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
