Liverpool win Carabao Cup final after beating Chelsea in penalty shootout

Liverpool have won the first domestic silverware of 2022, triumphing in the Carabao Cup final on penalties after a pulsating match at Wembley.

In a game of four disallowed goals for offside, it was remarkable that neither Liverpool nor Chelsea could score a winner after 120 minutes of football, but several missed chances and some fantastic goalkeeping from both sides kept the match goalless.

All 11 Liverpool players scored their penalties, including goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, before Kepa Arrizabalaga skied his spot kick over the bar to hand Liverpool the trophy. Arrizabalaga was a surprise omission from Chelsea’s starting XI, but was brought on in the final minute of extra time for Édouard Mendy. It was a move that backfired for Thomas Tuchel.

Chelsea had started the stronger of the two sides and had a golden chance to take the lead when Christian Pulisic beat the offside trap but the American could only put his shot straight at Kelleher.

Arguably the best chance of the first half, though, fell to Sadio Mané, who was denied by his Senegalese teammate Édouard Mendy – surprisingly picked over Chelsea’s usual cup goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga. Mendy got down to his right to repel a Naby Keïta shot, and got to his feet to deny Mané on the rebound. It was a sensational stop, deflecting the ball over the bar.

Mount had a great chance to punish Liverpool just before half-time but volleyed horribly wide after a quick Chelsea counter attack.

Chelsea started the second half in similar fashion, and Mount was again wasteful, sidefooting a shot onto Kelleher’s left post when he was put clean through on goal by a lofted Pulisic pass. Chelsea manager Tuchel beat the ground in frustration on the sidelines.

Liverpool continued to