Liverpool Win FA Cup After 16 Years, Beat Chelsea Through Penalty Shootout
JAKARTA - Liverpool won the English FA Cup on Saturday after winning 6-5 on penalties in the final against Chelsea at Wembley after 120 minutes both teams were goalless.
Substitute Kostas Tsimikas scored the Reds' victory after Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta's shot hit the post and goalkeeper Alisson blocked Mason Mount's penalty.
Sadio Mane became the only Liverpool penalty taker who failed to execute well.
The result was a repeat of the League Cup final in February when Liverpool won 11-10 on penalties after that game also ended goalless.
This Saturday's win keeps Liverpool on track for four trophies which, if successful, would be the first time this has happened.
Quoted from Antara, Sunday, Liverpool are three points behind Manchester City in the hunt for the Premier League title with two games remaining, and will meet Real Madrid in the Champions League final on May 28.
The two teams played out a goalless draw for 120 minutes before it was decided on penalties again as in the last League Cup final.
Liverpool had the upper hand in the early stages of the game with Luis Diaz the main threat. A through ball from Trent Alexander-Arnold saw Diaz almost score unless it was saved by goalkeeper Edouard Mendy before Naby Keita grabbed the rebound but went wide of goal.
Chelsea responded well to Liverpool's pressure when Christian Pulisic came close in the 23rd minute after superb one-twos by Mount and Reece James down the right flank.
Shortly after, Pulisic's cross saw Marcos Alonso create a scoring opportunity but Alisson quickly came out of the net to deny the Chelsea defender.
In the 33rd minute, Liverpool were hit when Mohamed Salah was forced off due to injury. Diogo Jota came on for him to create a number of good chances before halftime.
Chelsea pressed immediately after the break with Pulisic forcing Alisson into a superb save, while Alonso's free-kick hit the bar.
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Liverpool had a golden opportunity to win the game when substitute James Milner's cross found Andy Robertson but unfortunately, the Reds midfielder's close-range effort hit the post.
Liverpool were dealt another blow ahead of extra time when Virgil van Dijk came off seemingly injured to be replaced by Joel Matip.
Neither team was able to make a breakthrough during the 2x15 minutes of extra time which meant that a penalty shoot-out for the second time this season had to take place.