Liverpool have won the FA Cup final after a nicely placed penalty from Konstantinos Tsimikas, keeping their prospects of an unprecedented quadruple alive.
The sides could not be separated in a goalless 120 minutes of play that witnessed several wasted opportunities, similar to the Carabao Cup final earlier in the season when the Reds edged a shootout win.
They took a total of 27 shots on the day (17 for Liverpool and 10 for Chelsea), with both teams hitting the post before an extra-time period played in such a way that penalties seemed inevitable.
When they arrived, Cesar Azpilicueta’s early miss gave Liverpool the lead, only for Sadio Mane’s possibly game-winning penalty to be saved, prompting Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel to fall on his knees and stomp on the Wembley ground in joy.
Mason Mount saw Alisson save Chelsea’s second sudden-death shot wonderfully, allowing Tsimikas to side-foot home and stir scenes of frenzied joy in a season the Reds’ supporters will remember.
In Liverpool’s FA Cup final victory against Chelsea, Mohamed Salah was pulled off with what appeared to be a groin injury, while Virgil van Dijk played the full 90 minutes but did not return for extra time.
Salah dropped down on the pitch holding his groin shortly after the half-hour mark, and although rising to his feet, walked off to be replaced by Diogo Jota, who has 23 goals for club and country this season.
Van Dijk was taken off before extra time began, though it is unclear if this was for precautionary reasons or due to injury. Fabinho was forced to withdraw due to a hamstring injury suffered against Aston Villa in midweek.
After a 0-0 draw in 120 minutes, Liverpool won the game 6-5 on penalties.
With this year’s Champions League final in Paris on May 28, as well as their remaining Premier League matchups at Southampton on Tuesday and their last-day encounter against Wolves at Anfield on May 22, Jurgen Klopp’s side has a busy schedule ahead.
Alisson Becker on winning the FA Cup Final
“It’s amazing, we did such a good performance. It was a shame we didn’t score. It was a proper fight, we kept a clean sheet, and then afterwards the boys were unbelievable scoring the goals. I just had to save the last one.
“I am so happy. Myself and also Mendy did amazing saves. I couldn’t have done the saves without the help of the team. They work well and make it easier for me.
[On his penalty save] “It was good hey? All goalkeeper coaches they help me with the decisions. They are fantastic players, Chelsea did really well but we deserved to win this. I only make the save because we deserved to win this.”
This gives us more confidence in the Premier League and also the Champions League final. It’s a fantastic moment now, we just need to enjoy”
