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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 03:50 EST
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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

42 mins: Chance! Chelsea finally get back into Liverpool’s final third with a cross from the left coming over to Azpilicueta. He gives it to Havertz in the box but the forward can’t turn the ball towards goal and lays it back to Chelsea’s captain. Azpilicueta runs onto a first time shot and drills his effort wide of the far post.

Michael Jones27 February 2022 17:12

Chelsea 0 - 0 Liverpool

39 mins: Luis Diaz looks the bring Liverpool up through the inside left but Cesar Azpilicueta tracks back and fouls him in the middle of the pitch. The referee awards the free kick but keeps the cards in his pocket. Stuart Attwell has let a few borderline tackles go already.

The free kick is floated into the area and claimed easily enough by Edouard Mendy.

Michael Jones27 February 2022 17:11

Chelsea 0 - 0 Liverpool

36 mins: Kai Havertz thinks he’s been slipped in behind Liverpool’s high line as he makes a run and the offside flag stays down. He carries the ball into the box and only has Caoimhin Kelleher to beat. Trent Alexander-Arnold sprints back to help out and seemingly gets a touch to Havertz’s shot which takes the ball wide of goal before the offside flag is eventually raised.

Michael Jones27 February 2022 17:06

Chelsea 0 - 0 Liverpool

33 mins: Andy Robertson’s cross from the left is headed out to Fabinho who hits one from range only to see Mateo Kovacic block the effort on the edge of the box. Liverpool have notched up eight shots in the last 10 minutes. They’ve really turned the game around.

Michael Jones27 February 2022 17:05

Chelsea 0 - 0 Liverpool

30 mins: Another Liverpool corner is delivered into the box by Andy Robertson. It comes down and seemingly hits Cesar Azpilicueta on the arm before Chelsea work it clear. Liverpool appeal for handball but Azpilicueta’s arms were by his side and it’s unclear whether it hit his arm or bounced off his thigh. Regardless, no penalty is awarded.

Liverpool are starting to create a bit of momentum. They’re finding a bit of joy playing through the Chelsea midfield and Sadio Mane has almost been sent in behind on a couple of occasions.

Save! Fantastic from Edouard Mendy. Liverpool work the ball into the box from the left and find Mane who lays it off to Keita outside the box. Keita sprints onto a shot from range and draws a diving stop out of Mendy. The rebound comes to Mane who side-foots a shot of his own at goal but Mendy scrambles to his feet and palms that one away too! Brilliant goalkeeping.

Michael Jones27 February 2022 17:01

Chelsea 0 - 0 Liverpool

27 mins: Liverpool win the forst corner of the game but Chelsea clear it and almost send Mount free on the counter attack. He runs up against Naby Keita who tries to hold Mount away from the ball and puts a stray arm into the Chelsea midfielder’s chin. Chelsea want to Keita booked bu the referee isn’t having it.

Michael Jones27 February 2022 16:57

Chelsea 0 - 0 Liverpool

24 mins: Luis Diaz runs into trouble in his own half and gets caught on the ball by a forward pressing Trevoh Chalobah. He carries the ball towards the box and slots a pass across to Mason Mount but he gets tackled by Joel Matip who has started the game well for the Reds. They’ve been asked to do most of the defending so far.

Michael Jones27 February 2022 16:54

Chelsea 0 - 0 Liverpool

21 mins: Sadio Mane receives the ball just outside the Chelsea penalty area and steps across Mason Mount to shield it and win Liverpool a free kick in prime Mo Salah territory.

Salah, Alexander-Arnold and Henderson all stand over the set piece. Alexander-Arnold runs over the ball and rolls it into a more central area for Salah who drills his shot wide of the left-hand post.

Michael Jones27 February 2022 16:52

Chelsea 0 - 0 Liverpool

18 mins: Almost! Liverpool burst quickly up the pitch and resort to one touch passes in midfield to avoid Chelsea’s pressing. Luis Diaz gets the ball off Fabinho and knocks it back to Trent Alexander-Arnold. He chips a cross into the area as Sadio Mane makes a run in behind. Mane wins the ball in the air but doesn’t catch his header well and the ball sails well wide of the target.

Michael Jones27 February 2022 16:49

Chelsea 0 - 0 Liverpool

15 mins: Mateo Kovacic knocks the ball over to Kai Havertz on the left and he drives up to the side of the box before cutting the ball into the middle for Mason Mount. Mount brings it under control and shoots on the turn but Joel Matip nips across to put a good block in. It’s been all Chelsea so far.

Michael Jones27 February 2022 16:47

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