Kepa Arrizabalaga came off the bench for a shootout and missed the decisive spot-kick as Liverpool beat Chelsea 11-10 on penalties to win the Carabao Cup after a pulsating 0-0 draw at Wembley.
All ten outfield players on both sides and Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher had scored their spot-kicks when Kepa, who replaced Edouardy Mendy for the final seconds of extra-time, skied his effort.
Both sides have goals disallowed followed VAR checks, with Joel Matip’s second-half header ruled out by referee Stuart Atwell because Virgil van Dijk was offside and interfering with play, and substitute Romelu Lukaku seeing an extra-time strike chalked off for a fractional offside.
The flag went up again after Kai Havertz smashed home in extra-time.
A succession of brilliant chances also went begging at either end, with Chelsea particularly wasteful in the final and Liverpool finding Mendy in inspired form.
Dan Kilpatrick was at Wembley to rate the Chelsea players...
Edouard Mendy 9
Justified his inclusion with a series of crucial interventions, including brilliant double save to deny Naby Keita and Sadio Mane, and a flying save from Virgil van Dijk. His only mistake in a brilliant display was a loose kick which led to a chance for Mohamed Salah.
Antonio Rudiger 8
Menacing and composed in equal parts in a standout display on the right of the back three. Helped to ensure Salah was, for the most part, kept subdued.
Thiago Silva 7
Raced back to clear Salah’s dink off the line in a solid performance. Caught out at the back post for Liverpool’s disallowed goal – but spared by the VAR.
Trevoh Chalobah 6
Given a tough examination by Luis Diaz and was caught napping when the winger raced behind him and forced another save from Mendy. Immediately happier when the Portuguese went off and stepped out of defence to create Lukaku’s disallowed goal in extra-time. Showed great nerve to score his penalty at 10-9.
Cesar Azpilicueta 7
Disciplined defensively and effective going forward, creating an early chance for Pulisic and firing over with a left-foot piledriver. Forced off with a knock early in the second half.
Mateo Kovacic 8
Grew into the game with an energetic and unfussy display in the middle of the park. Involved in many of Chelsea’s most promising moments.
N’Golo Kante 7
Never stopped running and seemingly always in the right place to hook the ball clear during spells of Liverpool pressure. His final ball was erratic, though. Scored a tidy penalty.
Marcos Alonso 7
Had his hands full with Salah but coped well, and got forward at every opportunity. Shot straight at Kelleher in one of Chelsea’s many second-half chances. Squeezed home his penalty.
Christian Pulisic 7
Missed a great chance to give Chelsea the perfect start when he fired start at Kelleher after five minutes and had another, harder effort blocked by the goalkeeper before half-time. He was more effective as a creator than finisher, setting up Mount with a sublime pass.
Mason Mount 5
Missed gilt-edged chances either side of half-time, volleying wide and then striking the base of the post in a wasteful performance.
Kai Havertz 8
Missed a one-v-one with Kelleher, albeit from an offside position, but impressed as a creator and with his hold up play. Made chances for Azpilicueta and Mount, as he knitted together Chelsea’s best attacks. Scored a cool spot-kick.
Substitues
Reece James (Azpilicueta 57’) 6
Looked rusty on his return from injury and was all at sea for Matip’s disallowed goal. But gradually felt his way into the game and scored in the shootout.
Romelu Lukaku (Mount 73’) 8
Nearly nicked it in stoppage-time and unlucky to see a goal disallowed by the VAR in extra-time when he looked level with the last man. An encouraging display from the bench, and a confident penalty.
Timo Werner (Pulisic 73’) 7
Added a new dimension to Chelsea’s attack with his pace down the left flank but characteristically struggled to stay onside and finish opportunities. Somehow his penalty squeezed under Kelleher’s hand.
Jorginho (Kovacic 106’) 6
Fresh legs for the second period of extra-time and scored his penalty in trademark fashion.
Kepa (Mendy 119’) 2
The shootout specialist failed to save 11 Liverpool penalties and then missed his effort in a disastrous appearance.
