For a game that I expected Liverpool to absolutely walk through easily, Chelsea put up a great fight (and were arguably the better side) but ultimately lost on penalties.
Liverpool started better and controlled the opening 15 minutes. Without Firmino, they lacked a focal point up front and struggled to create a meaningful effort in the final third. For the rest of the half, Chelsea were the side pushing for the first goal.
Liverpool have struggled in defence against Manchester City and Norwich and continued with their lack of coordination again. Chelsea kept going at the Reds and finally got their deserving goal as Pulisic played an excellent ball to Giroud who slotted past Adrian.
Chelsea almost doubled their lead when Pulisic thought he scored his first goal for the club but he was offside. Liverpool looked fatigued and Chelsea were a much improved side.
With Firmino on at half time, Liverpool looked re-energised and within minutes of his introduction, he was involved in Mane's equaliser that brought Liverpool level. Just like the first 15 minutes, Liverpool were now in the ascendancy.
Their pressure almost paid dividends when a corner found Salah who had his shot saved by Arrizabalaga who then pulled off a magnificent double save when van Dijk's effort hit him and then the bar. Chelsea did have the ball in the back of the net through Mount but, again, he was offside.
Extra time came and went (it should have been straight to pens) and their was two goals. Firmino, easily Liverpool's best player, set up Mane to score his second but they were pegged back when Jorginho placed home a dubious penalty after Adrian was adjudged to have fouled Abraham.
In penalty shootouts it is normally a goalkeeper who is the hero and last night, it was Adrian. For Chelsea's final penalty, Adrian, who came a far distance of his line, saved from Abraham to make Liverpool the winners.
Although he lost, Frank Lampard can be encouraged by his team's performance but defeat signals another trophy for Liverpool which makes them the most successful English club. Extra time was something Klopp did not need and as his team already seem tired, Southampton may be a difficult task.
VAR? Throw it in Room 101.
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