Liverpool continue to make heroes during an unforgettable season, to accumulate silverware, to hint at something historical. On this occasion, it was the reserve left back Costas Tsimikas who made the difference, proving that he can count on even the lesser-known members of Jurgen Klopp’s team.
Introduced as a substitute in the final stages of overtime, the Greek international, who joined Olympiacos in the summer of 2020 for £ 11.7 million, stepped up to fulfill Liverpool’s seventh penalty from the penalty spot. That was the blow that won the FA Cup.
Liverpool were in the same situation at the end of the fifth round. Cesar Aspilicueta hit the crossbar for Chelsea with the first shot of the second round and Sadio Mane made the mission on the spot, intending to complete the second phase of Operation Quadruple.
Mane seemed to be taking time for the walk, enjoying it. He scored the decisive penalty for Senegal in their victories in the African Cup of Nations final and the World Cup playoffs. Everyone knew he would score. But he didn’t, his Senegalese teammate Edward Mendy was on the right track to save.
It was a moment of pure drama. Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel beat the grass in delirium. This was again for his team; the opportunity to complete a traumatic season at a high level. And then he was kidnapped again after Alisson read Mason Mount’s intentions to make a great save from the left.
Tsimikas enters. What a moment for the 26-year-old. And he made it his career career with the coolest finishes. Half of Liverpool’s stadium exploded, red lights lit up the stage, and Klopp could celebrate the addition of the FA Cup to his autobiography.
Tsimikas executes the winning penalty for Liverpool. Photo: Robin Jones / Getty Images
Klopp wants more. The Premier League feels like a big demand, as his team is three points behind Manchester City in two upcoming games – and a lower goal difference. The following is the small question about the Champions League final against Real Madrid on May 28.
There was fear here when Mohamed Salah was forced to drop out with an injury in the 32nd minute, but it was not the time to stop and the club to enjoy the first FA Cup after Steven Gerrard’s inspired victory over West Ham in 2006. which was also won by penalties.
Is there a team that has shown more composure in the shootings over the years than Liverpool? Their first trophy of the season was won on penalties – Carabao Cup against Chelsea – and there were parallels with that day, especially in how both teams failed to take advantage of their chances during a standstill.
He was not as open as the previous part, his legs were heavy after a long season. For Chelsea, there is an emotional outflow of the impending takeover; for Liverpool, the ruthlessness of a schedule that can bring the greatest glory. But there were still many possibilities.
The tension is constantly growing and Liverpool thought that they had overcome it not once, but twice in the whirlwind of 60 seconds from the 83rd minute. Instead, they hit the ladder twice. First the excellent Luis Diaz shot against the outside of his right straight arm, and then Andy Robertson, who arrived to center James Milner, who came in as a reserve, crashed against the other.
Chelsea craved what Tuhel called an “injection of positivity” from this show, and they almost got it at a normal time, before the slow and inevitable penalty shootout. There were great chances for Christian Pulisic and Marcos Alonso in the first half and Alonso again immediately after the break. The left side would also shake the crossbar with a direct free kick in the 48th minute.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp celebrates with the trophy and his behind-the-scenes staff. Photo: Tom Jenkins / The Observer
Tuhel made the same move as in the Carabao Cup, presenting a player specifically for penalties in the 119th minute. Then it was the goalkeeper Kepa Arizabalaga and we all remember how it turned out. This time it was Ross Barkley for the tireless Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who came in as a substitute. Barkley did not touch the ball before the final referee signal, which means that his only touch was when he stepped up in the fourth round. He walked past Alison.
Mandy would reach Milner and Roberto Firmino with his fingertips, albeit in vain, and the Chelsea players were crushed on the grass when it was all over. It was their third consecutive FA Cup final and their third defeat, an unwanted new record. Revenge for the Carabao Cup was on their minds. They didn’t get it.
Liverpool had scored the first points, with Diaz disturbing Trevo Chaloba with his pace. He almost took out Tiago with a cross and then missed one on one after a great pass from Trent Alexander-Arnold. Credit Mandy with a large block.
Chelsea responded with a hard start after 20 minutes. Pulisic pulled wide and then played for Alonso, whose first touch disappointed him. Romelu Lukaku also shoots high. Tuhel’s side had a wave of chances at the start of the second half, with Alonso shooting past the far post before his free-kick and Pulisic extending Alison.
Diogo Jota, who entered for Salah, made two good positions until the ball entered for Diaz. But Liverpool found a way.
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