Thomas Tuchel insists he should take blame for Kepa Arrizabalaga's Carabao Cup shootout nightmare

Thomas Tuchel insisted he and not goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga should carry any blame for Chelsea’s Carabao Cup penalty shootout defeat to Liverpool.

Kepa proved to be Chelsea’s penalty fall-guy after being sent on for the shootout, failing to save any spot-kicks and missing the decisive kick that handed victory to Liverpool.

Edouard Mendy, who started the game, had made at least four excellent saves to keep out Liverpool before being replaced for the shootout by Kepa, who has saved four penalties this season.

Chelsea head coach Tuchel stood by his decision and said: “I take the decisions and I only take them when I want to take them. I cannot rejudge my decisions when I know the outcome. This is how it is. 

“No blame on him. Blame on me. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it does not work out. This is life as a football coach who does substitutions. Sometimes you bring a player on and he scores. Sometimes he makes a decisive mistake. No regrets. If it is necessary to take the blame, absolutely it is on me.

“I feel bad for him, but no blame. We took the decision, like we did last time in a shootout because Kepa is training with the players on a daily basis at penalties. They know how good he is. He has more time than Edou to do this. 

“Everyone knows how good he is. This plays a part in how well we shot today. Unfortunately, he could not save any and it was a bit harsh on him to miss the one and only penalty. But there is no blame.”

Chelsea’s preparations for the final were overshadowed by the news that owner Roman Abramovich has relinquished the day-to-day running of the club to a board of charitable trustees headed by Bruce Buck. 

Director Marina Granovskaia and performance and technical advisor Petr Cech, who are not