PLAYER RATINGS: CHELSEA 0-0 LIVERPOOL

Liverpool clinched the Carabao Cup after a penalty shootout victory over Chelsea. A tight game finished goalless with a number of goals ruled out for offside. In the shootout, every single player converted except for Kepa as Liverpool ran out 11-10 winners. Here are player ratings from the match.

Kelleher – 9

What a performance by Caoimhin! He produced a fantastic reaction save to deny Pulisic early on. Made a crucial save from Lukaku in injury time to send the game to extra time. His handling was so assured and he exhuded calm throughout. He scored a belter of a pen in the shootout too. Fantastic young talent and Klopp justified for trusting him.

Alexander-Arnold – 7

Played some fantastic passes during the game. Chelsea targeted the space he left behind and almost found joy a number of times. He made up for those lax defensive plays with a monster block on Werner in extra time. Scored a peach of a penalty too.

Matip – 7

Played well, thought he had opened the scoring when he headed home Mané’s set up from two yards out. Harshly ruled out. Defended well but was too easily outmuscled by Lukaku in one attack that saw Kelleher make a brilliant save. Taken off for Konaté at the start of extra time.

Van Dijk – 8

Played well too and kept the high line ridiculously efficient. Was harshly adjudged to have been affecting play from an offside position for Matip’s goal. Almost scored himself with a header but Mendy did well to push it away. No nonsense penalty. Just slammed it past Kepa.

Robertson – 8

His deliveries weren’t always on the money but boy did he keep going. He was a constant threat up and down the left flank. Defended astutely too and got to take a penalty. Held his nerve to score with aplomb.

Fabinho – 8.5

I thought he was quietly excellent. Sat infront of the defence and picked up most of the loose balls. Threw in a big tackle when required too and was assured in possession. Scored the best penalty of the shootout with a cheeky panenka.

Henderson – 7

Pressed well and always sought to get close to Salah to offer him support. Was immersed in a good battle with Kovacic. Taken off around the 80th minute mark.

Keita – 7.5

Came in for Thiago just before kickoff. Played well as he kept Kante busy. Went close to opening the scoring with a fierce strike from outside the box which Mendy did well to push aside. Taken off in the 80th minute too. Got away with a stamp to Chalobah’s groin in a 50-50.

Salah – 6.5

Didn’t get in the game much as Rudiger kept him relatively quiet. Mané played him through for a one on one but his chip was cleared off the line by Thiago Silva. Scored his pen of course.

Mané – 7

Had two good opportunities to score, first he mistimed his jump and made a mess of Trent’s early pickout. Then Mendy pushed Keita’s shot into his path and he didn’t get enough height on the finish, allowing Mendy to make a brilliant save. Played well, lost the ball a few times. Gave them problems playing out of position.

Diaz – 9

He was absolutely superb throughout. Our best player when he was on the pitch. He gave Chalobah and Azpilicueta countless problems with his direct running and ability to check back on his right. A fantastic performance that deserved a goal but he was unlucky. Tired in extra time and was taken off. Barely a month into his Liverpool career and he’s won a trophy.

Substitutes

Elliott – 6.5

Came on for the skipper and tried to get in the game. It was pretty tight by the closing stages so he didn’t really get to do much. Helped Trent out defensively and came to his aid when Havertz got in his face. Scored a nerveless penalty that defied his youth.

Milner – 7

He provided a bit of a calming influence. Immediately got into the game and saw more of the ball than Elliott did. Kicked off the shootout with a typical James Milner penalty.

Jota – 6

Couldn’t really get involved much. One chance fell to him after a Robertson pickout but he miskicked. Scored a boss pen.

Konaté – 7

Came on for Matip to deal with Lukaku, and deal with him he did. What a specimen he is, as he matched Lukaku for pace and physicality. Kept the offside line religiously too.

Origi – 6

On for Diaz in extra time and he didn’t get his trademark late winner but still stepped up to take a cool penalty.

Jürgen Klopp

The gaffer went with what many would regard as his best XI bar Kelleher for Alisson. An injury in the warmup to Thiago saw Naby Keita come in for him. His side played well against an opponent that matched them all the way.

His changes were all needed and spot on too. His decision to trust Kelleher paid off in the end as his side secured a ninth League Cup title.