Liverpool defeat Chelsea 6-5 on penalties to win the FA Cup 2021/22

[Firebat]

2 of the elite teams in Europe, Chelsea and Liverpool, will clash at Wembley on May 14 in the FA Cup final.

Chelsea will be chasing their 9th FA Cup, having beaten Crystal Palace 2-0 in the semi-final to qualify.

Meanwhile, Liverpool will be chasing their 8th triumph (with a historic quadruple still possible at this stage), having overcome Man City 3-2 in the semi-final.

It's sure to be a memorable encounter between two extremely high-quality teams and coaches, but who will come out on top? Discuss and vote.

 

[MenInG]

Liverpool miles ahead of most teams - Chelsea wont win this.

 

[Saj]

Liverpool have the momentum and whilst Chelsea are good on their day, you have to fancy Liverpool to win the final.

 

[MenInG]

Thomas Tuchel has said that his Chelsea side want to play to prove they deserve to win the FA Cup when they face Liverpool in May.

The Blues' 2-0 win over Crystal Palace saw them earn their place in the final, with Mason Mount and Ruben Loftus-Cheek getting on the scoresheet.

Speaking to the press after the match, via football.london, Tuchel has admitted that he wants his side to deserve to win their final against Liverpool.

When asked about the chances of winning the FA Cup, he said: "We cannot promise. All we can do now is to be well prepared because it will be another hard fight given the quality and run of form from Liverpool. It's unbelievably difficult to beat them but this is what a cup final is about. It's about winning and we need to try to find a way to beat them.

"We'll need a bit of luck and everything at the top level we can have. Of course, it makes the season that much sweeter if you have at the end of the season a final that you can win. But as we all know in a final, two compete against each other and we experienced last season and this season that sometimes you give your everything and it's not enough. We will try to find a way and if we do this, then we deserve it. And we want to deserve it."

The Blues will be looking to get revenge on their domestic rivals, who beat Tuchel's side in the Carabao Cup final after an epic penalty shoot-out.

Chelsea will face Liverpool at Wembley on May 14 at Wembley as the Blues look to win their first domestic trophy under Tuchel.

https://www.si.com/soccer/chelsea/n...t-to-deserve-to-win-fa-cup-final-vs-liverpool

 

[Manunited18]

Hope Chelsea win.

 

[Firebat]

Fabinho: Liverpool midfielder ruled out of FA Cup final with hamstring injury

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has confirmed his side will be without midfielder Fabinho for Saturday's FA Cup final against Chelsea.

The Brazilian came off with a hamstring injury in Tuesday's win at Aston Villa.

Fabinho will also miss the final two league games of the season, but Klopp hopes he will be fit in time for the Champions League final on 28 May.

"We can cope," Klopp said, when asked how the 28-year-old's absence would impact Liverpool's title hopes.

"We have to. Having him or not having him is a difference but it is all fine. That's normal stuff that happens. It's never in a position where you have 12 options, it's always in a position where you don't."

Klopp added: "There's a good chance that he will be available for the Champions League final."

Jordan Henderson came off the bench to replace Fabinho in the comeback victory at Villa Park and Klopp hinted that Henderson will retain the defensive midfield position at Wembley.

"Hendo came on and played incredible. He has played super games this season at number six, so that is not a problem."

A vital cog in the Liverpool machine, the Reds will be without Fabinho for the Premier League games against Southampton and Wolves as they hope for a Manchester City slip-up.

Liverpool are second, three points behind defending champions City and with a significantly inferior goal difference with two games remaining.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61429868

 

[Firebat]

16:45 UK time kickoff this Saturday.

Chelsea have regained some form just in time to make this game interesting, but Liverpool will surely be too strong.

 

[MenInG]

There are few areas of the England team that will give Gareth Southgate more of a headache for the upcoming World Cup in Qatar than the right-back position.

The Three Lions boss has a wealth of options there, with Manchester City's Kyle Walker, Newcastle's Kieran Trippier, Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold and Chelsea's Reece James all options.

The latter two are set to go head-to-head on Saturday in the FA Cup final, so as well as a chance to win some silverware the Wembley encounter will also be a bit of an audition - an opportunity to catch Southgate's eye.

Both Alexander-Arnold and James have had brilliant seasons - so how do the two compare?

This is a tough comparison given the teams' different playing styles, and that a big reason for their place in their respective sides is down to the attacking element of their game.

Jurgen Klopp sets his Liverpool team up to press the opposition, force defenders into mistakes and win possession as high up the pitch as possible.

It is perhaps no surprise therefore that Alexander-Arnold, 23, outshines James, 22, when it comes to getting the ball back for his team. The Liverpool man has won possession considerably more often (319 times to 150) and averages more interceptions than James per 90 minutes, although he has played a lot more than his Chelsea counterpart.

James, however, is better at stopping opposition players when they are on the attack. At 76% compared to 58%, the Chelsea full-back's tackle success rate is much higher than Alexander-Arnold's.

"Trent is not as good defensively as he is at going forward, but he is brilliant going forward," former Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson told BBC Sport.

"It's not as if Trent leaves any gaps at the back."

Defensive comparison in 2021-22 (all competitions)

Trent Alexander-Arnold Reece James
Games played 44 36
Mins played 3933 2561
Clean sheets 20 8
Interceptions per 90 mins 1.3 1.1
Possession won 319 150
Tackle success 58% 76%
Team goals conceded 21 19

Who is better going forward?

With his desire to get up the pitch and ability to put in brilliant crosses, it is of no surprise Alexander-Arnold has been heavily involved in creating goals for his team-mates.

In the Premier League he has 12 assists in 31 games, which is almost double the amount James has, but once again there is the caveat that the Chelsea man has made fewer appearances, with his seven assists coming in 23 games.

Alexander-Arnold is more influential in setting up goals for team-mates, while James provides more of a direct goal threat. He has scored six goals - compared with two for Alexander-Arnold - and that makes him the highest-scoring defender in the Premier League.

"He is the modern-day footballer," said former Manchester United defender and BT Sport pundit Rio Ferdinand after watching James play a starring role against Real Madrid in the Champions League.

"We talk about Trent Alexander-Arnold but he is right up there with him. You can't split them really."

Attacking comparison in 2021-22 (all competitions)

Trent Alexander-Arnold Reece James
Assists 12 7
Goals 2 6
Mins per goal involvement 196.7 182.9
Chances created per 90 mins 2.7 1.8
Successful open-play crosses 42 23

How influential are they for their clubs?

There's little doubt in Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel's mind that if he had James available for the whole season the Blues would have challenged Manchester City and Liverpool more closely in the title battle.

The 22-year-old was ruled out for two months with a hamstring injury in the middle of the campaign, a crucial period for Tuchel's side.

In his last game before he was sidelined - a 1-1 draw with Brighton on 29 December - Chelsea were second in the table, eight points behind Manchester City.

His next Premier League game was not until 5 March - a 4-0 win against Burnley in which James opened the scoring - but by that point Chelsea were 10 points behind second-placed Liverpool and 13 behind City at the top of the table.

James is crucial to the way Tuchel likes to play, in part because of his defensive flexibility. He is just as capable playing as a right wing-back as he is as a right-sided central defender.

"I would love to have two of Reece James," Tuchel said last month, following his return from injury.

"It's like 50% towards wing-back and 45% towards the back three. It depends a little bit on how the opponent plays against us.

"I'm a bit more into that his very best position is the wing-back position where he is perhaps even more decisive, more useful. But it is more demanding."

Similarly, Liverpool are weaker without Alexander-Arnold in their side and he has been a key part of Klopp's team for the past few seasons.

His ability to turn defence into attack is pivotal to the German coach's counter-pressing game.

Alexander-Arnold has been questioned by some for the strength of the defensive side of his game, and while it is not his strongest point, he has still played his part in a side that has kept 21 clean sheets in the Premier League this season - no team has more.

Like Tuchel with James, Klopp wishes he could have more than one Alexander-Arnold in his team.

"Of course, he is still in the right-back position to defend especially, then he's a right winger, then he's an eight, a six, a playmaker," he said in December.

Is one better than the other?

Statistics only provide a certain amount of the picture, and many of them are influenced by factors that they don't show - such as team tactics, opposition and how games themselves unfold.

Determining who is the best full-back is ultimately subjective, but only one can fill that spot for the World Cup later this year.

Despite their brilliant performances at club level both players are yet to establish themselves as automatic England selections. Alexander-Arnold has been capped 16 times since making his debut in 2018, while James has 10 caps since making his first appearance in 2020.

"For England, Gareth Southgate seems to like Kieran Trippier at right-back over these two but the way he sets his side up means England could play with two really attacking full-backs - they have got two holding midfield players and two centre-backs, sometimes three," Lawrenson added.

"So take the shackles off and get your man in. For me, it would be Trent. He shades it."

But with Southgate watching, an exceptional performance at Wembley on Saturday could go a long way to determining who England's starting right-back in Qatar will be.

BBC

 

[Amjid Javed]

Both league games were drawn and even the LC final after 120 mins was a draw (liverpool won on pens)

liverpool are the form team but i can see a very cagey final the LC final was.

 

[James]

Lukaku is coming back into form right at the end of the season and he is Chelsea’s ace in the pack.

I think if he has a poor match however that Liverpool will win comfortably.

 

[KingKhanWC]

Both great teams but of course I will have to back the Reds!

The weather will be warm, Wembley will be buzzing!

My prediction - LFC 2-1 Chelsea.

 

[KingKhanWC]

Both league games were drawn and even the LC final after 120 mins was a draw (liverpool won on pens)

liverpool are the form team but i can see a very cagey final the LC final was.

One thing for sure, if it goes to Pens again, Chelsea will not take off Mendy to bring on Kepa.

 

[MenInG]

It took 22 penalties to separate Liverpool and Chelsea in February's Carabao Cup final.

After an enthralling contest at Wembley ended goalless, Kepa Arrizabalaga, sent on as a substitute in the final minute of extra-time, fatefully skied the decisive spot-kick in the shootout.

Liverpool and Chelsea are now braced to meet again as they become the first two sides to contest both the League and FA Cup finals in the same season since Arsenal and Sheffield Wednesday in 1992/93.

It is a thrilling prospect and recent history suggests it will be close.

Before their last Wembley meeting in February, there were pulsating draws in the Premier League, with Chelsea holding on for a 1-1 draw at Anfield after Reece James's red card, then coming from two goals down to draw 2-2 at Stamford Bridge.

Here, we look at where the 150th FA Cup final could be won and lost as Liverpool bid to claim their second trophy of the season and Chelsea aim to end their lingering hopes of winning a quadruple.

Does Diaz hold the key for Liverpool?

Liverpool have plenty of weapons with which they can hurt Chelsea. Sadio Mane comes into the game having scored eight goals in his last 11 appearances. Mohamed Salah is Mohamed Salah.

But Luis Diaz might just be the man who gives them the edge on Saturday.

The £49m January signing used the Carabao Cup final to fully introduce himself as a Liverpool player, tormenting Chelsea on the left flank on what was only his fourth start for the club.

"He was fantastic," said Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher after the game. "I think Virgil van Dijk got the man-of-the-match award but I think Diaz was Liverpool's best player."

The statistics backed him up. Diaz ranked top in terms of shots on target, touches in the opposition box, dribbles and fouls won before he was withdrawn in the first half of extra-time and Liverpool's attacking threat went with him.

Carragher went on to say Diaz would make a "huge difference" to Liverpool's season and so it has proved.

The 25-year-old was instrumental in ensuring they came from behind to win their Champions League semi-final against Villarreal and he has shone in the Premier League too, giving Klopp's already formidable attack another dimension.

Chelsea will need to pay him close attention at Wembley.

Havertz or Lukaku for Chelsea?

Romelu Lukaku has given Thomas Tuchel a tricky decision to make up front.

The Belgian has been out of favour for much of the season but scored twice on only his second Premier League start since February against Wolves on Saturday and followed that up with another goal in Wednesday's 3-0 win over Leeds.

Lukaku appears to have rediscovered his confidence in front of goal after a torrid season and his recent improvement puts him in contention to lead the line against Liverpool at Wembley.

Tuchel's alternative is to restore Kai Havertz in a false nine role. The 22-year-old has not featured in Chelsea's last two fixtures but he has until now been Chelsea's go-to man in the big games.

Havertz does not offer the same goalscoring pedigree as Lukaku and has failed to find the net in his last seven appearances but his movement and off-the-ball work are deemed superior to his team-mate's.

Those qualities shone through in the Carabao Cup final, when he created numerous opportunities for his team-mates and also had two goals disallowed.

It's down to Tuchel to decide whether to restore him to the team on that basis, or whether to opt for the £90m man in form.

"We can also play both, although they lacked a bit of the feeling of being a perfect fit together," he said in his press conference.

"It's very likely that it is one of the two but we will not give the line-up today. Listen, Romelu played lately and scored lately. He did everything to stay on the pitch.

"Will be our final call in the morning."

Kovacic could be key as Fabinho misses out
Both sides face uncertainty in midfield, with Liverpool set to be without Fabinho after he picked up a hamstring problem against Aston
Villa on Tuesday and Chelsea sweating on the fitness of Mateo Kovacic after he hurt his ankle against Leeds.

Fabinho's injury has garnered more attention, such is his importance to Jurgen Klopp's side, but Liverpool boast a strong record in games without the Brazilian this season.

Graphic
In fact, the Reds are undefeated in 19 fixtures in which Fabinho hasn't started, emerging victorious in 15 of them and giving them a win rate of 79 per cent, which is actually higher than their win rate of 73 per cent in the games he has started.

Liverpool team news

Fabinho has been ruled out of Liverpool’s final three matches of the domestic season with a hamstring injury.

Captain Jordan Henderson will come in and fill the holding role with Thiago Alcantara also likely to return to the starting line-up after being rested for the midweek win over Aston Villa.

Mohamed Salah, a substitute at Villa Park, is set to start up front alongside Sadio Mane and Luis Diaz with left-back Andy Robertson expected to return after being given Tuesday off.

Chelsea, on the other hand, have struggled when Kovacic has not been available, winning just 14 of the 28 games he has not started this season at a rate of 50 per cent, compared to 21 of the 32 games he has started at a rate of 66 per cent.

The numbers underline Kovacic's value to Tuchel's side and the Chelsea manager was delighted to report he is in contention to face Liverpool at his pre-match press conference despite previously appearing to rule him out.

Liverpool can call on Jordan Henderson to replace Fabinho. Klopp described his performance from the bench against Villa as "incredible". But Kovacic's presence could help Chelsea wrestle control of a key area of the pitch.

Chelsea team news

Mateo Kovacic will pull out all the stops to be fit for Chelsea in Saturday’s FA Cup final.

The Croatia midfielder hobbled out of Wednesday’s 3-0 win at Leeds with an ankle ligament problem.

N’Golo Kante is also battling to be fit after a series of niggles, though Callum Hudson-Odoi will miss out through ongoing back trouble and Ben Chilwell remains absent.

The Croatian has been one of Chelsea's most consistent performers when available this season and was arguably the best player on the pitch in the 2-2 draw with Liverpool at Stamford Bridge in January.

"He was excellent in the matches against Liverpool lately so we will try everything and see tomorrow," said Tuchel, who also revealed he hopes to be able to call on N'Golo Kante following a three-game absence."

Klopp is determined to win his first FA Cup as the Reds aim to keep their quadruple bid alive but he is expecting another tightly-contested encounter against Chelsea.

"We didn't 'beat' Chelsea, we won the penalty shootout, one of the craziest shootouts ever," he said of February's Carabao Cup final.

Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool are getting to the 'really exciting' time of the season and he must keep his side prepared to win all three remaining competitions.

"We know in football without luck you have no chance and that night I think luck was more on our side during the shootout.

"It was a tough game. We know how good Chelsea are and we expect another tough one. Both teams will go with all they have, that's what I expect from Chelsea and especially from us.

"What we realised from the Carabao Cup is how big an occasion Wembley is in this moment with all the people in. It felt outstanding and we want to have that again."

He continued: "I've never won the FA Cup before and most of my players have never won it.

"We are really looking forward to this opportunity. The boys worked their socks off to arrive there with all the different challenges. It is a massive final for us and really happy to be a part of.

"It will never happen that we see the FA Cup final as a normal game. It's a special game, for some of us the biggest in their career and we really want to enjoy that as well. We want to deliver it for our people."

Tuchel is determined to avoid a repeat of Chelsea's loss to Leicester last year and admits it is his job to change the club's record of having lost three out of four FA Cup finals in the last five years.

"I can only say that last year was with me in the final against Leicester and we will try it again.

Thomas Tuchel and Romelu Lukaku

Thomas Tuchel said Chelsea will evaluate Romelu Lukaku's situation after it has been reported that his agent is planning talks with the new owners of the club at the end of the season.
"First of all, it is a big achievement to be in these finals and there has to be unfortunately a loser.

"In these finals, there is a special energy, a special atmosphere.

"There is a special momentum you have to catch and for sure you need a piece of luck to go away with a trophy.

"We are aware of that. We feel again well prepared. The atmosphere is right. The momentum is okay after the reaction in Leeds.

"Everybody knows what we are up against. We want to arrive to give Liverpool a hard fight.

"I don't know if there is one reason it is like this. I would prefer to point out the positives. A fifth cup final in six years, it shows the competitive spirit we have."

With this match a repeat of the 2021/22 Carabao Cup final, Liverpool are looking to win both of England's domestic cup competitions in the same season for the first time since 2000/01.

Liverpool and Chelsea have met once before in the FA Cup final, doing so in 2012 which the Blues won 2-1 thanks to goals from Ramires and Didier Drogba.

This will be the Blues' 16th appearance in the competition's final compared to the Reds' 15th, the third and fourth most occasions of all sides behind Manchester United (20) and Arsenal (21).

In Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel, the FA Cup final will see two German managers go head-to-head for the very first time, with the one emerging victorious the first German boss to get their hands on the trophy.

Sadio Mane has scored six goals against Chelsea since moving to Liverpool in 2016-17, with no other player netting more often against the Blues in this time.

SKY

 

[James]

<b>The 2022 FA Cup Final</b>

<b>Saturday, 14 May
Kick-off: 16:45 BST
Venue: Wembley Stadium</b>

Chelsea and Liverpool line up in the 141st FA Cup final at Wembley on Saturday.

Liverpool, who beat Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final in February, are chasing an unprecedented quadruple after reaching the Champions League final, while they are three points behind leaders Manchester City in the Premier League with two games to go.

Eight-time FA Cup winners Chelsea are appearing in the final for the third successive season - and fifth in six seasons - after finishing runners-up to Arsenal in 2020 under Frank Lampard and Leicester City in 2021 under Thomas Tuchel.

"It will be another hard fight, given the quality and run of form of Liverpool," said Tuchel. "But this is what a cup final is all about."

When asked about Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola's comments that "everyone in the country supported Liverpool", Tuchel replied: "It is hard to really argue with him on it.

"There's a huge sympathy for Liverpool in the country, which is fair enough. They work hard for it. Jurgen Klopp is the master of being the underdog. He can talk you into it.

"There is nothing to be jealous of from my side. Klopp is a fantastic guy, a funny guy and one of the best coaches in the world. If we are the bad guys tomorrow no problem. We take that role.

"We don't want the sympathy of the whole country, we want the trophy at the end of the day."

Liverpool are appearing in their first final since 2012, when they were defeated 2-1 by Chelsea.

Chelsea have won the competition five times since the Reds last lifted the FA Cup in 2006.

"Liverpool supporters make occasions like this their own," said Reds boss Jurgen Klopp. "I love it so much. Because the one thing none of us can guarantee on a day like this is the result."

It is the first FA Cup final to be played in front of a capacity crowd at Wembley since Manchester City beat Watford 6-0 in 2019 watched by 85,854 fans.

Coronavirus restrictions meant the 2020 final between Arsenal and Chelsea was played behind closed doors while a reduced crowd of 20,000 watched last season's final between Leicester and Chelsea.

The FA Cup - the world's longest-running knockout football competition - is celebrating its 150th anniversary, having started in the 1871-72 season.

The final will be decided on the day and teams will be able to name nine substitutes and make five substitutions, with a sixth allowed if it goes to extra time.

Chelsea midfielders Mateo Kovacic (ankle) and Ngolo Kante will face late fitness tests, while Liverpool midfielder Fabinho will miss out with a hamstring problem.

This is the first time that the same teams have met in the both the EFL Cup and FA Cup finals in the same season since Arsenal and Sheffield Wednesday did so in 1993.

On 27 February, the Reds won a dramatic penalty shootout to secure the EFL Cup.

Since then, Klopp's side have reached the Champions League final - where they will meet Real Madrid in Paris on 28 May - in addition to securing a place in the FA Cup final.

Klopp is the first manager to reach the finals of the Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup in the same season.

Saturday's final will be the 10th time Liverpool and Chelsea have met in three seasons.

Six Premier League meetings in that time have resulted in three wins for Klopp's side, one victory for the Blues and two draws.

Chelsea beat Liverpool 2-0 the last time the sides met in the FA Cup, in March 2020 at the fifth-round stage.

Seven months earlier, Liverpool had defeated Chelsea 5-4 on penalties to win the Uefa Super Cup in Istanbul - one of five trophies the Reds have won since Klopp was appointed manager in October 2015.

But despite winning the Premier League, Champions League, League Cup, Fifa Club World Cup and Uefa Super Cup, the FA Cup has so far eluded the German.

Will Klopp finally gets his hands on the famous trophy this weekend?

Having been in charge of Chelsea for just one year and 108 days, Tuchel is preparing to take charge of his fourth major final at the club.

Last season, two weeks after his side were beaten by Leicester in the FA Cup final, the Blues were crowned champions of Europe after a 1-0 win over Manchester City.

Despite winning the Uefa Super Cup and Fifa Club World Cup this season, the defeat by Liverpool on penalties in the Carabao Cup final hurt.

Tuchel is hoping his players will use the pain of that defeat to motivate them on Saturday.

"We want to get them back, simple as that," Chelsea's England midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek said.

Chelsea arrive at Wembley on the back of one win in four games, while their future was thrown into uncertainty after sanctions were placed on Russian owner Roman Abramovich in March.

Klopp described Tuchel as a "magnificent leader" for leading the team through uncertain times.

"My respect for Thomas was already as high as you could imagine," added Klopp.

"Then add in what he has had to contend with off the pitch in recent weeks and months and this respect makes even more sense."

The FA Cup winners qualify for the group stages of the 2022-23 Europa League, as well as for the Community Shield before the start of next season's Premier League.

But Liverpool can finish no lower than second in the Premier League so will play in the Champions League group stage next season.

And while Chelsea are not yet mathematically guaranteed a top-four finish, which secures a place in the Champions League, one more win would seal it.

At worst, Chelsea will be fifth and qualify for the Europa League via their league position.

So with the spot reserved for the FA Cup winners not needed, the teams who finish sixth and seventh in the Premier League, currently Manchester United and West Ham, would enter the Europa League and Europa Conference League respectively.

To mark the 150th anniversary of the competition, FA Cup icons from over the years will be honoured at this year's final.

Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola, a two-time FA Cup winner, is among the guests who will be presented to fans at half-time, as is the granddaughter of legendary Liverpool manager Bill Shankly.

All 16 decades of the FA Cup will be recognised and celebrated at Wembley on Saturday.

BBC Sport

 

[MenInG]

HT: Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel was beside himself for the opening 15 minutes as Liverpool threatened to take his side to the cleaners. His body language was frantic but Chelsea have survived until the break and he might just be feeling a little better now.

 

[MenInG]

Still Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool - extra time coming soon

 

[MenInG]

Still Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool - extra time coming soon

0-0

Extra-time at Wembley it is then with neither team able to make the breakthrough over 90 minutes, although both did hit the woodwork

 

[MenInG]

Virgil van Dijk is off the field.

He's been replaced ahead of extra-time by Joel Matip.

Could be a costly afternoon for Liverpool after losing Mo Salah earlier.

 

[MenInG]

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

Jurgen Klopp responds to the full time whistle by applauding his players. Thomas Tuchel has produced a piece of paper and is working through the order of who is taking Chelsea's penalties.

Liverpool fans respond with cheers as Luis Diaz is named man of the match over the speakers.

 

[MenInG]

 

[MenInG]

Liverpool remain in the hunt for a historic quadruple after winning the FA Cup following another Wembley penalty shootout against Chelsea.

Jurgen Klopp's side repeated their Carabao Cup final victory in February, the decisive moment coming when Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson saved Mason Mount's spot-kick, leaving Kostas Tsimikas to secure Liverpool's second trophy of the season.

The Reds are still in the Premier League title race and have the Champions League final to come against Real Madrid.

Liverpool had the better of an eventful final, with the outstanding Luis Diaz and Andrew Robertson hitting the woodwork, although it may come at a price with Mohamed Salah going off injured in the first half and Virgil van Dijk going off after 90 minutes.

It is a devastating blow for Chelsea and manager Thomas Tuchel to lose in this manner yet again, having had chances with Marcos Alonso hitting the post and also being denied by Alisson.

When Edouard Mendy saved Senegal team-mate Sadio Mane's penalty in the shootout, when the Liverpool forward only needed to score to win the FA Cup, it just seemed for one moment that the Reds' assault on four trophies might just be interrupted.

Alisson put Liverpool back on course when he saved from Mount, who was inconsolable as Tsimikas sent the Liverpool fans wild by converting the final penalty.

Once again Liverpool had prevailed against fiercely disciplined and determined opponents, even though they lost Salah to what looked like a muscle injury before half-time and Van Dijk did not emerge for extra time.

It remains to be seen how serious those problems are but at present it looks like Liverpool can overcome most obstacles put in front of them, even though it once again took penalties to claim their first FA Cup since 2006.

Luis Diaz was the game's outstanding player, running Chelsea ragged and peppering Mendy's goal with efforts until he was substituted, exhausted, to a standing ovation.

Klopp refers to his players as "mentality monsters" and this illustrates why. Players from both sides gave so much that they were almost out on their feet at the final whistle.

Manchester City remain favourites in the Premier League, three points ahead and with a superior goal difference, and this was a strength-sapping occasion that will have taken much out of Liverpool before they face Southampton at St Mary's on Tuesday.

What we do know, though, is that Liverpool possess remarkable powers of resilience and recovery as they continue their march on history.

BBC

 

[daytrader]

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp says he 'could not be more proud' after beating Chelsea

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp said he "could not be prouder" of his quadruple-chasing side after they beat Chelsea on penalties to win the FA Cup.

The Reds replicated their shootout win over Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final by triumphing 6-5 on spot-kicks after a goalless 90 minutes and extra time.

"I couldn't be more proud of my boys, the shift they put in, how hard they fought," Klopp told BBC Sport.

"It was an incredible game, a nerve-wracking shootout, my nails are gone."

As in February's final, the shootout went to sudden death with Alisson's save from Mason Mount handing Liverpool the advantage before Konstantinos Tsimikas slotted home the winning penalty.

"It was intense - Chelsea would have deserved it exactly the same way we did, just like in the Carabao Cup - that's how small the margins are," added Klopp.

"Chelsea played outstanding but in the end there must be one winner and that was us today."

The dramatic win kept alive Liverpool's slim quadruple hopes - although the Premier League title may well elude them - with two games left, they trail leaders Manchester City by three points and have a goal difference that is inferior by seven.

"The quadruple thing is absolutely outstanding that we can talk about it. It's crazy," added Klopp. "It's out of this world - this was game number 60 in an intense season."

'Chelsea were mentality monsters too'
Klopp has famously christened his side "mentality monsters" for the way they have responded to setbacks as they chase glory on four fronts this season.

But the Reds boss said Tuchel's Chelsea also merited that moniker after playing their part in another absorbing encounter between the two clubs.

The sides traded gilt-edged chances during a rollercoaster period of normal time and each struck the woodwork - Luis Diaz and Andy Robertson for Liverpool and Marcos Alonso for Chelsea.

"I really feel for Chelsea - for the second time, 120 minutes and you get nothing, that's too hard. But for us I'm pretty happy," added Klopp.

"We are mentality monsters but there were mentality monsters in blue as well - it was one penalty that was the difference."

While Klopp was full of praise for the beaten finalists, BBC Sport pundits marvelled at his Reds side after they secured the second trophy in their quadruple quest.

"What a team Klopp has put together," former England striker Alan Shearer told BBC One. "To have two trophies already and the way they have done it - that takes belief, incredible."

It was the fourth time this season the sides could not be separated in 90 minutes although Liverpool again prevailed on penalties to claim their eighth FA Cup, equalling Chelsea's tally in the process.

Ex-Tottenham midfielder Jermaine Jenas added: "They were pushed all the way. They were tested. The questions were asked and they've come out on top again."

Salah injury could be 'big blow' to Reds' ambitions
Victory might well have come at a cost for Liverpool, however, with Klopp forced to withdraw top scorer Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Robertson at various stages during the final.

Van Dijk failed to re-emerge for extra time, although Klopp later claimed the defender suffered a "hurt muscle" but was "fine" while Robertson's issues appeared to be cramp-related.

Most concerning, though, was the sight of a disconsolate Salah trudging off in the first half, with the Premier League title race approaching its conclusion and just a fortnight before the Champions League final with Real Madrid.

"It was a big blow with Mo going off," Reds captain Jordan Henderson told BBC Sport.

"But that's what we're all about. The attitude to dig deep and to win it on penalties is incredible.

"We're here to lift trophies, we work so hard all season. It's a big moment for us, we haven't come this far, [and been] in this final, for some time, so to win it was special.

"It's incredible some of the talent we have got and the personalities in the dressing room. You put that together and you win trophies."

While the destiny of the Premier League title remains firmly in Manchester City's hands, Liverpool will hope to at least repeat their 2001 feat of two domestic cups and a European trophy.

"We've won two so far this season - we have three big games left and hopefully we can win all three and finish the season on a high," Henderson added.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/61450534

 

[KingKhanWC]

Great occasion.

Another long hard battle with Chelsea in a final. Our players were worn out by the final whistle after ET.

Great save by Alisson won us the FA Cup.

Two trophies down, maybe 2 more in the next few weeks.

 

[James]

That was a great final. Very exciting!

Both teams played well enough to win the match.

Could have gone either way.
Fine margins.

Liverpool deserved victors in the end I think.

 

[MenInG]

Liverpool fans booing the national anthem before the FA Cup final was "not something I enjoyed", says manager Jurgen Klopp.

Liverpool supporters booed 'Abide With Me' and 'God Save the Queen' before kick-off at Wembley on Saturday.

However, the German boss also said: "It's always best to ask the question - why does this happen? They wouldn't do it without a reason.

"Maybe I'm not here long enough to understand. I am sure it's historical."

Liverpool lifted the FA Cup for the eighth time when they beat Chelsea in a penalty shoot-out following a goalless 120 minutes.

"I know a few fans from different clubs see this slightly differently but the majority of our supporters are wonderful people, really smart," Klopp added.

"They go through lows, go through highs, suffer together. They wouldn't do it if there was not a reason."

Liverpool are chasing a historic quadruple having already secured the Carabao Cup and FA Cup.

The Reds have the Champions League final against Real Madrid to come and they continue their pursuit of Manchester City in the Premier League with a trip to Southampton on Tuesday.

Why do Liverpool fans boo the national anthem?

John Gibbons from Liverpool fan podcast The Anfield Wrap said he was "surprised" the booing became front page news.

"It happened at the Carabao Cup final a few months ago and it happened in 2012 [FA Cup final] when we played the same opposition," he told BBC Radio Merseyside.

"What I would say to anyone buying these headlines is maybe look into why Liverpool fans act this way, why they feel a disconnect from the country and disconnect from a royal family sat on gold thrones telling people they are going to have tough times ahead.

"It's something Liverpool fans feel strongly about. It's a city that wants to be vocal about how we think this country should be and how we should live in a fairer society."

Gibbons called on people who criticised the protest to "maybe come up to Liverpool and speak to people and visit the food banks and see how some people in this city are struggling".

BBC