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Chelsea vs Liverpool LIVE: Carabao Cup final result after Kepa misses crucial penalty in shoot-out

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool (Liverpool wins 11-10 on penalties): Kepa Arrizabalaga’s miss settles thrilling final at Wembley

Michael Jones
Monday 28 February 2022 08:50 GMT
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(Getty Images)

Follow live reaction as Liverpool won the Carabao Cup final on a penalty shootout after Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga missed the crucial spot-kick. After 20 penalties were scored, it went down to the goalkeepers to decide a thrilling final.

Caoimhin Kelleher scored his for Liverpool, but Kepa, who was brought on for the shoot-out after replacing Edouard Mendy, blazed his over the crossbar as Liverpool won the cup.

After both Liverpool and Chelsea made a pro-Ukraine gesture before kick-off, Christian Pulisic had the first chance of the final but was denied by Kelleher, to set the tone of a breathless final.

The Blues were on top in a frantic opening to the game but Liverpool soon gained control. Chelsea’s Edouard Mendy kept his side in it as he produced a stunning double save to prevent Sadio Mane from point-blank range.

Mason Mount then had a huge chance moments before half-time but skewed his volley wide after being found by Kai Havertz in the box, as the sides went into the break level.

Mount had a further chance after the break as he was picked out by Pulisic, but could only dig a finish onto the post from under his feet, as Thomas Tuchel pounded the turf in frustration.

Liverpool thought they had taken the lead on 66 minutes when Joel Matip headed in from close range, only for it to be disallowed by VAR as Virgil van Dijk, who blocked Thiago Silva, was ruled offside.

Chelsea then had a goal disallowed after Timo Werner was offside before Havertz finished past Kelleher. Both goalkeepers made further saves to send the final into extra-time, as Mendy dived to keep out Van Dijk’s header and Kelleher stopped Romelu Lukaku’s flick with his feet.

Lukaku then had a goal disallowed by VAR after the striker went too early before firing past Kelleher. Chelsea had another goal disallowed, as Havertz saw his finish ruled out, as the match went to penalties.

Follow reaction to a thrilling Carabao Cup final below:

Chelsea 0 - 0 Liverpool

53 mins: Luis Diaz chips a pass into the Chelsea box for Sadio Mane to run at but Edouard Mendy sprints out to punch it clear for Chelsea. He’s taken a knock during that play, probably from an awkward landing, and needs a moment to recover after Chelsea complete the clearance.

Thomas Tuchel is a sight over in the dugouts, he still can’t believe Mount missed that last chance.

Michael Jones27 February 2022 17:40

Chelsea 0 - 0 Liverpool

50 mins: Off the post! Pulisic flicks the ball over Liverpool’s high line. Trent Alexander-Arnold is playing Mason Mount onside and allows the Chelsea midfielder to bring the ball down in the box unopposed. Caoimhin Kelleher comes to close him down but Mount digs the ball out from under his own feet to guide a shot right into the right-hand post!

Michael Jones27 February 2022 17:38

Chelsea 0 - 0 Liverpool

48 mins: Nearly. Mason Mount flicks the ball into the middle of Liverpool’s final third where Christian Pulisic chests it down and chips a pass into the left side of the box for Kai Havertz. Havertz then squares the ball into the six-yard area and Pulisic lunges at the pass but just misses out on the opener!

Michael Jones27 February 2022 17:36

Second half: Chelsea 0 - 0 Liverpool

Kick off: No changes from either team at the break as Chelsea get the match back underway. Cesar Azpilicueta is played in down the right wing and whips a cross into the Liverpool box but Virgil van Dijk gets up high and nods it away.

Michael Jones27 February 2022 17:33

‘Football stands together’: Liverpool and Chelsea make pro-Ukraine gesture at Carabao Cup final

Liverpool and Chelsea players applauded at the Carabao Cup final in a gesture of solidarity towards Ukraine with the words “Football Stands Together” seen on the stadium screens.

With two of European football’s heavyweights competing in the showpiece game, the global reach has ensured that English football has delivered a powerful symbol after Russia instigated conflict by invading Ukraine.

Liverpool and Chelsea players make pro-Ukraine gesture at Carabao Cup final

The teams opted to make the gesture at the showpiece match in front of 80,000 fans at Wembley

Michael Jones27 February 2022 17:30

Don’t be surprised by Liverpool supporters showing disdain toward the establishment at Wembley

The League Cup final between Chelsea and Liverpool today will be coloured by politics. The government want the organisers to make some sort of anti-Russian gesture after the invasion of Ukraine. An anti-war stance is a likelier scenario but even then the focus will fall on Roman Abramovich, Stamford Bridge’s oligarch owner.

The loudest political expression will come from the Liverpool end and will be concerned with domestic matters. The transplanted Kopites will boo the national anthem. It happens every time at Wembley and there is invariably a shocked reaction in the media.

Get used to it. Scousers – and a substantial proportion of Liverpool’s out-of-town fanbase – do not want God to save your Queen. In the year of the monarch’s platinum jubilee, the booing will resound across the stadium.

Don’t be surprised by Liverpool fans’ disdain toward the establishment

Big finals give the fans a chance to broadcast their beliefs to a worldwide television audience. Monarchists and Conservatives look away now

Michael Jones27 February 2022 17:28

Chelsea 0 - 0 Liverpool

This is the first time two managers of the same nationality will face each other in a League Cup final since 2012 (Kenny Dalglish/Malky Mackay), and the first time ever that two non-British managers of the same nationality are facing in the showpiece.

Michael Jones27 February 2022 17:25

Chelsea 0 - 0 Liverpool

A few big moments from the first half. Saves from Caoimhin Kelleher and Edouard Mendy and a big miss from Mason Mount.

(Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
(AFP via Getty Images)
(AFP via Getty Images)
Michael Jones27 February 2022 17:22

Half-time: Chelsea 0 - 0 Liverpool

45+1 mins: Nothing to separate the teams at half-time then. The tempo of the game has been superb. Both teams have created big chances. Christian Pulisic and Sadio Mane have seen shots from inside the six-yard box stopped by the opposition goalkeepers and Mason Mount could have sent Chelsea in front right at the end of the half. As it stands though neither team has been able to break the deadlock.

Michael Jones27 February 2022 17:19

Chelsea 0 - 0 Liverpool

45 mins: Chance! How’s Mount not scored? Sadio Mane is caught in possession and Chelsea burst forward on the counter attack. Christian Pulisic drives the ball throught he middle and slips it over to Kai Havertz just before he gets tackled. Havertz holds the ball up on the right side of the box and squares it to Mason Mount arriving from the opposite side. Mount hits his shot first time but sends it agonisingly wide of the right hand post! He has to hit the target there, Caoimhim Kelleher would have had no chance to keep it out.

Michael Jones27 February 2022 17:17

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