Jürgen Klopp danced beamingly in front of the stands after the final whistle, Wembley Stadium shone in red light: Liverpool FC won the English League Cup. Coach Klopp’s team beat Thomas Tuchel’s coached Chelsea 11-10 on penalties in a high-class final on Sunday evening. “You have to be lucky too,” Klopp told Sky Sports. “We were lucky. The game could have ended 5:5.”
Against the atmospheric backdrop of 85,512 spectators at London’s Wembley Stadium, Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa became a tragic hero. Coach Tuchel had substituted him on before the penalty shoot-out, but Kepa couldn’t save the ball and was the only one to miss. Previously, all 21 shooters had scored. Despite many top-class opportunities, neither side scored a goal during regular time and extra time.
Three goals disallowed
The League Cup is considered rather insignificant in England compared to the FA Cup. Despite this, both coaches played almost at their best and delivered a fast-paced and entertaining exchange of blows. The only problem was the exploitation of chances.
Instead of regular keeper Alisson, Klopp let his representative Caoimhin Kelleher play in the Reds’ goal. “Caoimhin Kelleher is a young guy who has played the whole competition, what should I do?” Klopp explained the move. “He deserves it.” At Chelsea, goalkeeper Edouard Mendy made spectacular saves to keep his side from falling behind before making room for the unlucky Kepa between the posts just before the penalty shoot-out.
Support from above: Liverpool’s Fabinho
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Image: Action Images via Reuters
After about an hour, a goal by former Schalke player Joel Matip for Liverpool FC was disallowed for offside after video evidence. Two supposed Chelsea goals from Kai Havertz and one from Romelu Lukaku were also disallowed for offside.
Before the game, teams and spectators expressed their solidarity with Ukraine. The stadium screens read “Football Stands Together” in blue and yellow. Thousands of fans joined in the song “You’ll Never Walk Alone”, which is also Liverpool’s anthem. Flags of Ukraine could be seen in the stands. Russian Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, who is said to be close to Kremlin boss Vladimir Putin, gave up control of the London football club on Saturday in view of the threat of sanctions.
