It was the most anticipated match of the weekend. After picking up the Club World Cup, Chelsea were once more on the hunt for another si
It was the most anticipated match of the weekend. After picking up the Club World Cup, Chelsea were once more on the hunt for another silverware. Beating London rivals Tottenham Hotspurs to get to the finals, they were met by Liverpool who equally dispatched another London club in Arsenal to book a place in the final. Predicted to be cagey and evenly contested, as were many of the Liverpool vs. Chelsea affairs all eyes were locked on Wembley.
For Thomas Tuchel’s side, Senegalese Mendy was given the nod ahead of Kepa. Lining up in front of him was a three man defence wall. Thiago Silva, Antonio Rudiger and Trevor Chalobah. Captain Azpilcueta keeps his place despite the return of Reece James. Alonso continues to enjoy his place in Chillwell’s absence. N’golo Kante and Kovacic are the two sitting midfielders. Mount, Havertz and American Christian Pulisic are all present.
The surprise of the night was Irish goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher starting in goal ahead of Alisson Becker. The famous Liverpool fullbacks Alexander Arnold and Robertson were stationed with center back pairings Virgil Van Djik and Joel Matip. Naby Keita comes in for Thiago Alcântara who sustains an injury in the warm up. Fabinho and skipper Jordan Henderson form the trio in midfield. Salah, Mane and January signing Luiz Diaz lead the attack.
The game had everything. Incredibly loud stadium, wave after wave after wave of attack, end to end action, unbelievably stops and missed chances. The only cherry missen was a goal to top it all off. After 90 minutes of normal play, a 90 minutes which included 4 goals scrapped off for offside, a Mount and Pulisic shocker and an incredible save by Mendy to keep his fellow country man Mane at bay, an extra 30 minutes was given for either side to clench it. A few minutes to the end of the second half of the extra 30 minutes, Chelsea made their goalkeeping change. Penalty specialist Kepa Arrizabalaga on for Mendy. For a game with no goals, the spot kicks from each side was borderline perfection. After all 10 on field players had comfortably slotted home their penalty, it was down to the keepers. Kelleher smashes his ball into the top left corner, unreachable by Kepa. Kepa takes his penalty, blazes it up into the heavens and Liverpool wins it. Such irony.
Liverpool registered their first domestic title of 2022 and are now the most successful team in the history of the English Football League Cup with 9 trophies overtaking Manchester City who have 8.
–
Source: Ghana / Herosportgh.com / Maame Affanyi Abena
COMMENTS