Liverpool kept calm to secure the FA Cup for the first time since 2006 following a notable penalty shoot-out versus Chelsea as the quadruple chasers kept their history bid flourishing on Saturday.
Jurgen Klopp’s men triumphed 6-5 on penalties at Wembley as defender Kostas Tsimikas was the unexpected hero with the decisive kick after Alisson Becker kept out Mason Mount’s attempt.
A fierce final had ended a 0-0 draw after extra-time, setting the stage for an anxious shoot-out that showed misses by Chelsea’s Cesar Azpilicueta and Sadio Mane, whose shot was rejected by Edouard Mendy when he had a chance to fetch the trophy.
For the second time this season, Liverpool emerged triumphant against Chelsea on penalties, having already defeated them 11-10 after another 0-0 draw in the League Cup final in February.
Liverpool’s victory keeps them in the chase to become the first English team to triumph all 4 major trophies in a single season.
With 2 prizes already clinched, the Reds will anticipate for a slip from Premier League leaders Manchester City, who are 3 points clear of them in the title race with 2 matches to spare for both teams.
Even if Liverpool are not able to triumph a second English title in 3 seasons, they could still cap a magnificent campaign by securing the Champions League final versus Real Madrid in Paris on 28th of May.
With that mission in mind, Klopp’s only was whether his team will be at full strength against Real.
Liverpool lost Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk to injuries that could eliminate them of their last 2 Premier League matches next week and will cause fears about their ability to recover in time for the Champions League final.
Liverpool have triumphed both domestic cups in the same season for the first time since 2000-01, with Klopp getting his hands on the popular old trophy for the first time.
For Chelsea, it was a sorrowful third consecutive FA Cup final trounce after previous defeats to Leicester and Arsenal.
