Liverpool beat Chelsea on penalties to win FA Cup and keep quadruple hopes alive

Liverpool continue their quest for a historic quadruple after winning the FA Cup following another penalty shootout at Wembley against Chelsea.

The Reds are still in the race for the Premier League title and have the Champions League final ahead of them against Real Madrid.

Liverpool prevailed in a busy final, with the excellent Luis Diaz and Andrew Robertson hitting the post, although it could come at a price, with Mohamed Salah leaving injured in the first half and Virgil van Dijk leaving in the 90th minute.

It’s a devastating blow for Chelsea and manager Thomas Tuchel to lose this way yet again as they had chances – with Marcos Alonso hitting the post and also being denied by Alisson – but became the first team to lose three consecutive FA finals. Cup

Liverpool win again

When Edouard Mendy saved Senegal teammate Sadio Mane’s penalty in the penalty shootout, when the Liverpool striker only needed to score to win the FA Cup, for a moment it looked as if the Reds’ four-trophy attack might be stopped.

Alisson put Liverpool back on course when he saved it from Mount, who was heartbroken when Tsimikas drove Liverpool fans crazy by converting the final penalty.

Once again Liverpool prevailed against fiercely disciplined and determined opponents, despite losing Salah to what appeared to be a hamstring injury before half-time and Van Dijk did not emerge for extra time.

It remains to be seen how serious these issues are, but it currently looks like Liverpool can overcome most of the obstacles placed in front of them, although they have once again taken penalties to win their first FA Cup since 2006.

Diaz was the best player of the game, managing Chelsea erratically and splashing Mendy’s goal with efforts until he was substituted, exhausted, to a standing ovation.

Klopp refers to his players as “mindset monsters” and this illustrates why. Players on both sides gave so much they were almost on their feet at the final whistle.

Manchester City remain favorites in the Premier League, three points clear and with a superior goal difference, and this was an occasion that took away a lot from Liverpool before they face Southampton at St Mary’s on Tuesday.

What we do know, though, is that Liverpool have remarkable powers of resilience and recovery as they continue their march through history.

Chelsea suffers more agony at Wembley

Chelsea manager Tuchel thought redemption was close when Mendy saved from Mane, leveling the score on penalties after Cesar Azplicueta hit the post earlier.

But it wasn’t meant to be and the German understandably looked utterly disconsolate as he approached to collect another Wembley losers medal.

This was a chance to set the record after losing the EFL Cup Final on penalties in February, instead it was just more agony for Tuchel and his players after they gave their all in pursuit of victory.

It will come as no consolation that Chelsea have faced Liverpool in two Wembley finals – and drawn both Premier League games – only to end up empty-handed when it comes to the top four trophies on offer this season.

Chelsea have won the Club World Cup and the UEFA Super Cup, but they won’t be factored into what turned out to be a disappointing season.

They had their chances once more but failed to cash in, with Mount and Alonso crucially denied by Alisson.

Tuchel gave Romelu Lukaku a match but once again the £97.5m striker failed to deliver. There was no lack of effort but no spark and he was eventually replaced.

There will now be a period of rebuilding, with Antonio Rudiger moving to Real Madrid and captain Azpilicueta also due to leave, as the club embarks on a new era under new management once the sale of the club by Roman Abramovich is completed.

Chelsea will have a spot in next season’s Champions League as a reward for their efforts this season, but make no mistake, that will have been a very bitter pill for Tuchel and his players to swallow.

match player

Diazlouis diaz

Chelsea

1. squad number16Player’s namemendy

2. squad number24Player’s nameJames

3. squad number3Player’s nameAlonso

4. squad number6Player’s nameThiago Silva

5. squad numbertwoPlayer’s nameRudiger

6. squad number7Player’s namekante

7. squad number19Player’s nameMount

8. squad number10Player’s namePulisic

9. squad number5Player’s namejorginho

10. squad number14Player’s nameChalobah

11. squad number8Player’s nameKovacic

12. squad number22Player’s nameZiyech

13. squad number9Player’s namelukaku

14. squad number12Player’s nameLoftus-Cheek

15. squad number18Player’s nameBarkley

16. squad number28Player’s nameAzpilicueta