Chelsea vs Liverpool LIVE: Carabao Cup final result after Kepa misses crucial penalty in shoot-out
Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool (Liverpool wins 11-10 on penalties): Kepa Arrizabalaga’s miss settles thrilling final at Wembley
Follow live reaction as Liverpool won the Carabao Cup final on a penalty shootout after Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga missed the crucial spot-kick. After 20 penalties were scored, it went down to the goalkeepers to decide a thrilling final.
Caoimhin Kelleher scored his for Liverpool, but Kepa, who was brought on for the shoot-out after replacing Edouard Mendy, blazed his over the crossbar as Liverpool won the cup.
After both Liverpool and Chelsea made a pro-Ukraine gesture before kick-off, Christian Pulisic had the first chance of the final but was denied by Kelleher, to set the tone of a breathless final.
The Blues were on top in a frantic opening to the game but Liverpool soon gained control. Chelsea’s Edouard Mendy kept his side in it as he produced a stunning double save to prevent Sadio Mane from point-blank range.
Mason Mount then had a huge chance moments before half-time but skewed his volley wide after being found by Kai Havertz in the box, as the sides went into the break level.
Mount had a further chance after the break as he was picked out by Pulisic, but could only dig a finish onto the post from under his feet, as Thomas Tuchel pounded the turf in frustration.
Liverpool thought they had taken the lead on 66 minutes when Joel Matip headed in from close range, only for it to be disallowed by VAR as Virgil van Dijk, who blocked Thiago Silva, was ruled offside.
Chelsea then had a goal disallowed after Timo Werner was offside before Havertz finished past Kelleher. Both goalkeepers made further saves to send the final into extra-time, as Mendy dived to keep out Van Dijk’s header and Kelleher stopped Romelu Lukaku’s flick with his feet.
Lukaku then had a goal disallowed by VAR after the striker went too early before firing past Kelleher. Chelsea had another goal disallowed, as Havertz saw his finish ruled out, as the match went to penalties.
Follow reaction to a thrilling Carabao Cup final below:
Chelsea ‘praying for peace’ amid ‘horrific and devastating’ Ukraine crisis
Chelsea have described the Ukraine crisis as “horrific and devastating” after club owner Roman Abramovich handed over stewardship of the club.
The statement from the Blues comes a day after the Russian confirmed the club’s stewardish was now in the hands of the trustees of club foundation.
The club’s tweet to the statement included the word “conflict”, the actual statement did not however. While there was no mention of Russia at all.
Chelsea ‘praying for peace’ amid ‘horrific and devastating’ Ukraine crisis
The statement comes a day after club owner Roman Abramovich handed over stewardship of the club to trustees of club foundation
EFL in talks over pro-Ukraine gesture at Carabao Cup final
The English Football League have discussed the idea of a grand gesture towards the people of Ukraine ahead of today’s Carabao Cup final between Chelsea and Liverpool, Miguel Delaney reports.
It is possible that the Wembley arch will be lit up in yellow and blue, while some figures involved have pushed for something that revolves around a peace symbol instead.
The Independent has been told that the UK government would encourage the move. They are conscious that this is a showpiece game with a huge global reach, and could represent a powerful symbol.
There were displays of support towards Ukraine across the Premier League on Saturday, including Everton’s match against Manchester City.
Injuries and absentees for Chelsea and Liverpool
Chelsea’s Ben Chilwell will miss today’s Carabao Cup final as he is still recovering from a knee ligament injury, but fellow wingback Reece James could return for the first time since December after being side-lined due to a hamstring problem.
For Liverpool, Roberto Firmino is a definite absentee because of a groin injury but there is hope that Diogo Jota may feature. He is still a doubt for the game but seems to be recovering well from ankle ligament damage.
Roman Abramovich hands over ‘stewardship’ of Chelsea
The build-up to today’s match has been dominated by last night’s major story, as Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich announced he is handing over the reins of the Stamford Bridge side to the club’s foundation.
As it stands, there are few details and little clarity over what it means for Chelsea and its ownership structure in a practical sense, although Mr Abramovich remains the owner.
This morning, the club released a statement on the “situation in Ukraine” - but without mentioning Russia or the invasion backed by the country’s president Vladimir Putin.
Chelsea said: “The situation in Ukraine is horrific and devastating. Chelsea FC’s thoughts are with everyone in Ukraine. Everyone at the club is praying for peace.”
Good afternoon
It’s a glorious afternoon at Wembley ahead of the first domestic cup final of the season. It’s set to be an eventful afternoon, potentially both on and off the pitch, and we’ll bring you all the build-up between now and 4:30.
Good afternoon
Chelsea and Liverpool go head-to-head in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley Stadium this afternoon, with new champions set to be crowned for the first time since 2018.
The end of the 2017/18 season marked the start of Manchester City’s four-year stranglehold on this trophy, but Pep Guardiola’s team suffered a penalty shootout exit to West Ham in the fourth round in October, while Chelsea and Liverpool safely navigated their way to today’s final. Thomas Tuchel’s Blues knocked out Tottenham in the semi-finals, while Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool saw off Arsenal to book their final berth.
This afternoon’s game marks the Reds’ first appearance in the Carabao Cup final since 2016, when they lost to Man City on penalties in Klopp’s first season in charge. The situation is not dissimilar for Chelsea, who last reached the final in 2019 and also lost to Man City on penalties – during Maurizio Sarri’s brief stint as head coach of the London club. The Italian was succeeded by ex-Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard, who in turn was replaced by Tuchel last January. The German guided Chelsea to Champions League glory against City but also oversaw an FA Cup final loss to Leicester, so he will not be short on motivation to secure his first piece of domestic silverware in England.
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