Kostas Tsimikas’ decisive penalty painted Wembley red as Liverpool triumph in the capital, once again.
The same fixture. The same setting. The same outcome. Jurgen Klopp’s relentless Reds defeat Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea on penalties to win this year’s Emirates FA Cup.
A repeat of February’s Carabao Cup Final, the Reds went toe to toe with the European Champions in an intense 120 minutes of football.
Ultimately ending goalless, Liverpool proved to have the cutting edge in front of goal to send the travelling kop into ecstasy.
It’s two trophies down for Klopp’s men as they eye an infamous quadruple. Despite the league being a tall order, yet still possible, the Reds still have business to do before travelling to Paris in the hope of lifting seventh European trophy.
How it happened
The Reds flew out of the blocks to create chance upon chance against a very resolute Chelsea defence. It’s no surprise to see Luis Diaz at the centre of the action as he has been ever since his January arrival.
The Colombian had the pick of the bunch in terms of chances missed as the legs of Eduoard Mendy denied Diaz slotting home following a sensational outside of the foot pass by Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Liverpool were dealt an early blow as their talisman Mohammed Salah was forced off with what seemed a slight muscle issue. The Egyptian was replaced by Diogo Jota in the 33rd minute. Not a bad option to bring on really, is it?
The change was met with a shift in momentum with Chelsea beginning to ask questions of their own.
The Blues will also be wondering how they didn’t beat Alisson. Marcos Alonso, Christian Pulisic and Mason Mount all saw their efforts go begging as the Reds’ clean sheet remained intact.
It was a game for the goalkeepers as Mendy and Alisson justified why they are amongst the best on the planet, yet the woodwork came to their rescue to leave the deadlock unbroken.
Marcos Alonso’s second half free kick was denied by the crossbar before Diaz and Andy Robertson had strikes cannon of the upright.
Liverpool were dealt another injury issue as Virgil van Dijk was forced off in replacement of Joel Matip.
Extra time beckoned and so did fatigue. Chelsea looked the fresher of the two sides in extra time though. But the chances fell to one man, one man in red, who seemed so fitting to net the winner after another immense performance.
Luis Diaz, already hitting the woodwork, had Mendy scrambling across his goal on numerous occasions but his efforts were marginally wide.
The game went the distance again, as anticipated, but this time at the Chelsea end of Wembley. Liverpool had to hold their nerve Infront of a sea of blue.
Cesar Azpilicueta fired against the post to give Sadio Mane the chance to seal victory within five penalties each. Despite netting the winning penalty, much to the heartbreak of Egypt, could not repeat the trick.
Mane’s Senegalese compatriot denied the winger from the spot to send the shootout into sudden death.
Calmly dispatched penalties from Hakim Ziyech and Diogo Jota came before the seventh round of penalties which ended up being the decisive round.
Alisson Becker was on hand to deny Mason Mount before Kostas Tsimikas settled the shootout.
Jordan Henderson has become the most decorated Liverpool captain in the club’s history. Taking the armband from Steven Gerrard was laughed at by many. A player who was on the verge of being sold to Fulham during the Brendan Rodgers era, was determined to bring success to Liverpool, and he’s done exactly that.
He’s captained the lot, to win the lot. Ups and downs along the way, but what a servant he has been. An exceptional player, an outstanding captain.
With the set complete, Jurgen Klopp has won every major trophy on offer to him during his reign at Anfield. An outstanding manager, who’s relentless mentality has not only rubbed off onto his immense group of players, but the city of Liverpool too. An aim to transform doubters into believers was completed after that memorable night in Madrid, but that was only the start.
English Champions. European Champions. World Champions. There’s a few of the title’s Jurgen Klopp has guided Liverpool to, but now he’s placed his side on the summit of the English football pyramid. The last men standing. Two down. Two to go?