The Reds will return to the pitch on Tuesday to face Southampton in the Premier League after their recent win. Liverpool winger Sadio Mane lauded goalkeeper Alisson Becker for his heroics in the club’s FA Cup final victory over Chelsea at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.
The Reds came into the contest wanting to add to their trophy collection after winning the Carabao Cup, but they were unable to score in 120 minutes against their London rivals and were named champions 6-5 on penalties.Cesar Azpilicueta missed his spot-kick in the shootout.
Mane, who had scored two crucial penalties to help Senegal win the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations and qualify for the World Cup at the expense of Egypt, stepped up to take the game-winning penalty but was denied by Blues goalkeeper and international compatriot Edouard Mendy.
Later, Alisson prevented Mason Mount from scoring before Liverpool’s Konstantinos Tsimikas scored the game-winning penalty. I give Alisson all the credit because I missed the penalty, but who cares? “The most essential thing is to win the championship, which we did,” Mane subsequently added, as reported by Metro.
All the credit goes to Alisson. I’m thrilled for him, and we’re all proud of him. Jurgen Klopp, meanwhile, has accepted responsibility for Mane’s failure to score from the penalty spot.
“Sadio’s penalty is definitely at least 50% my fault because you have to let the boys do what they think they should do,” the German explained. But with him, I said, ‘He knows you exactly, the goalie, so do the other way around.’
“How many times in my life have I realized it’s better to keep quiet?” Nonetheless, we made it, and it means the world to us. “It’s enormous.” It was a challenge. The first 25 minutes against Chelsea were the best 25 minutes of our lives; we played an incredible game, but we didn’t score.
The Merseysiders will now concentrate on their Premier League match against Southampton on Tuesday, where they will attempt to dethrone Manchester City and win the league title. They will face Real Madrid in the Champions League final in a fortnight.
