Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga has spoken out after his side’s penalty shoot defeat to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup Final.
The Reds eventually won the cup 11-10 on penalties as every Liverpool player converted from the spot, after the game finished 0-0 in extra time.
Arrizabalaga was brought on by Thomas Tuchel for Edouard Mendy in the final minute of the game due to the former’s positive record in shootouts.
However, after all 11 Liverpool players had scored from 12 yards, it was the Spanish keeper who skied his effort over the crossbar to hand victory to the Reds.
ANALYSIS: Fabinho hands Thiago Alcantara boost as Luis Diaz gives future glimpse
VERDICT: Jurgen Klopp may have just won his most important trophy yet at Liverpool
Taking to social media after the game Arrizabalaga said: “To fall and rise. Disappointed after (a) big effort during the tournament. We keep working. Thanks @chelseafc family for your support.”
The 27-year-old did manage to get a hand to Ibrahima Konate’s penalty but ultimately saved none of Liverpool’s efforts and could not match his goalkeeping counterpart Caoimhin Kelleher in scoring from the spot.
However, there was a logic behind Thomas Tuchel’s somewhat controversial decision to bring on Arrizabalaga.
The Chelsea boss made the same substitution in August against Villarreal in the Super Cup, with the Spaniard saving two penalties.
Arrizabalaga also saved the decisive penalty in Chelsea’s shootout win over Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup a month later and Tuchel has stood by his decision.
“You think we do this and don’t talk to the players before? The players know and we did it before,” the German coach said .
“It’s a nice subject for you to make headlines. Mistakes happen. I make mistakes, Edouard made a big mistake and we almost got punished with a decisive goal.
“If you want to blame someone, blame me. Today it took 11 penalties to find a winner. There are no regrets.”
