Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson has praised his Chelsea counterpart Edouard Mendy after the Blues were narrowly beaten in the FA Cup final on penalties. Both Mendy and Alisson saved spot-kicks, but Kostas Tsimikas netted the crucial winner to crown Liverpool champions for the eighth time.
It marks the third time in a row Chelsea they have failed to win after defeats to Arsenal and Leicester in 2020 and 2021, respectively. After also losing on penalties to Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final back in February, it is a result that will sting even more than usual.
Liverpool had already lost Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk by the time the match went to extra time. By that point, Marcos Alonso and Christian Pulisic had both missed several crucial chances while both goalkeepers had been kept extremely busy throughout.
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So to penalties, it went again. Unlike in February, Kepa Arrizabalaga was kept off the bench, and it was left to Edouard Mendy to be the hero. After Cesar Azpilicueta had already missed, it appeared the Senegal international had done just that, saving Sadio Mane's potentially winning penalty.
But after Mason Mount saw his effort saved by Alisson, substitute Kostas Tsimikas was left with the chance to write his name into Liverpool history, which he did, sending Mendy the wrong way and breaking more Chelsea hearts.
After the game, Alisson was interviewed by the BBC and was asked about the saves he made both in the shootout and in the 120 minutes that came before it. But he was adamant about praising his counterpart: "And Mendy, he made amazing saves as well."
