What a game! The best 0-0 game ever seen in all European Top 5 leagues this season. It was a great 120 minutes in the Carabao Cup final between Liverpool and Chelsea, but both goalkeepers did a wonderful job (especially Edouard Mendy) and the penalties decided that the first trophy of the year goes to Liverpool. But the penalties were also special and more exciting than the game. And it all came down to Thomas Tuchel’s decision to change the man of the match Edouard Mendy with Kepa Arrizabalaga just before the penalties. The final result? Kepa missed the whole goal in the final round of penalties and Liverpool won it. In fact, Kepa failed to save a single shot, even to players like Ibrahima Konate. A decision to change the best keeper in Europe will surely hunt Thomas Tuchel for a long time….❤ pic.twitter.com/XgG6LYKkaV— Liverpool FC (@LFC) February 27, 2022 Rarely have we seen such a good game between top clubs in the Premier League, with such a tempo, excitement and huge chances and it was really sad that the game finished 0-0, but after a penalty shootout it became obvious why the game hag to finish without a goal: because the penalty shootout was just as exciting! Both set of players were precise from the penalty spot and it all came down to the keepers. Caoimhin Kelleher was Liverpool’s choice throughout the whole Carabao Cup and coach Jurgen Klopp bravely decided to stick with him in the finals. His countryman also stick with his keeper, Africa’s finest Edouard Mendy, and the Senegalese was the man of the match and saved a couple of excellent shots, but…. just minutes before the shootout, Thomas Tuchel decided to change him with Kepa Arrizabalaga. Three years after refusing to come off for penalties in the Carabao Cup final for Chelsea under Maurizio Sarri in 2019, Kepa came in for the shoot-out instead a man of the match Mendy. And the Senegalese keeper acted contrary to Kepa, as a true professional and made no fuss about it. Kepa failed to save a single shot, and missed the penalty for the final result. Liverpool have won the League Cup for the ninth time in their history and they surpassed Manchester City.As expected, both teams were working hard and the game was not with too many chances, but those three in the first 45 minutes were exceptional, and both team should have scored. Chelsea had more initiative in the first 20 minutes and that’s when the first chance came. Captain Cesar Azpilicueta passed the ball to the goal area right at the foot of Cristian Pulisic, but his tap in was saved by Liverpool keeper Caoimhin Kelleher. Then it was time for Liverpool’s initiative and chance. Keita’s strong volley from the edge of the box was saved by Mendy, but the deflection came right to the foot of umarked Mane. The Senegal captain took a shot but his national team teammate somehow managed to save it. Remarkable. But Chelsea stoke again after one quick counter attack. It was Pulišić in the middle of action (again), and his pass found Havertz who found Mason Mount. His shot came just inches off the post, before the referee ruled it as offside. The second half continued in the same fashion an was even more interesting. Just like at the beginning of the game, Chelsea had a first chance, and it was the best one. Havertz sendt Mount in behind Matip and all he had to do was to shoot left or right. He did, but the ball hit the post, and stayed out of the goal. Then it was Liverpool’s time and the Reds were really pushing it for the goal. In fact they scored a remarkable one, but it was ruled because VAR showed that Van Dijk was bloking Reece James from an offside position, so Matip’s close header was denied. In the 76th and 90th minute, it was again time for fantastic Mendy. First he saved a shot from Diaz and in the last minute of regular time he acted like a panther and saved an attempt from Matip. Lukaku came of the bench and nearly scored in the fifth minute of injury time but Kelleher was there to save with his feet and send this game into overtime. After a number of great chances and 4 nullified goals (three for Chelsea, one for Liverpool) it was time for penalties. And they ended in a brilliant way for Liverpool supporters. CARABAO CUP FINALChelsea – Liverpool 0-0Penalties 10-11
