Liverpool champions of the FA Cup against Chelsea; salah injured

2022-05-14 19:41:24
Liverpool won their eighth FA Cup.

Liverpool remain in contention for potentially quadruple trophies after beating Chelsea in the first penalty shootout of the FA Cup Final at Wembley.

As in the League Cup final in February, the match ended 0–0 after normal time and extra time, before Liverpool again came out on top.

WE ARE THE WINNERS OF #EmiratesFACup!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/eZMe5IRbB2

, Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 14, 2022

This time, the Reds were helped by a penalty from Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount, before Constantino Simikas scored his first goal for the club with a 6-5 penalty shootout victory.

It was Liverpool’s first FA Cup Final victory since 2006, one of the last two FA Cup Final-clinching fixtures that had taken place in Cardiff while Wembley was being rebuilt.

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, Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 14, 2022

The bad news for the Reds was Egyptian Mohamed Salah’s injury during the first half two weeks before the Champions League final against Real Madrid on May 28 in Paris.

Before that, Klopp will have to hope Manchester City slip into the final two rounds of the Premier League and Liverpool take a chance to win back that trophy.

“It’s also part of the ‘monster mentality’, going into extra time and maintaining a high standard, doing well,” said Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Baker. “It gives us even more confidence to move on to the Premier League and Champions League finals. It’s a great moment and we have to enjoy it now.”

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, Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 14, 2022

Only Wembley’s pain was more for Chelsea. Weeks of ownership confusion are coming to an end for Chelsea as they become the first team to lose three consecutive FA Cup finals, having been beaten by Arsenal in 2020 and Leicester last year.

The final of the oldest tournament in world football had never been held at Wembley before penalties were awarded. There had been no goalless final after extra time since play began at the National Stadium in 1923.

Saturday’s final was shrouded in a red haze of half-stadium smoke and began under a cloud as Liverpool fans applauded the national anthem and the introduction of Prince William.

After the celebration of 150 years of the FA Cup, the Final was more tense than the 141 bombing, such as the League Cup final in February. 58 shots were made by teams without locating the net in their two matches at Wembley in 2022.

An opportunity came early for Liverpool when Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy saved a shot from Luis Diaz. Then came Christian Pulisic’s shot that went wide on a disappointing afternoon for the Chelsea striker.

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, Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 14, 2022

Injuries to Liverpool players were delayed in the first half.

Alisson was to be treated after suffering a calf injury while blocking a shot from Marcos Alonso. The goalkeeper recovered, but Mohamed Salah soon came down.

The Egyptian striker could not continue due to a groin problem, but was able to go without help when he was replaced by Diogo Jota in the 33rd minute.

Liverpool missed the threat of the Premier League’s top scorer. Chelsea missed opportunities to take advantage of this.

A late flurry of efforts from Liverpool failed to prevent the game from going into extra time, with Andy Robertson being hit from close angle by Dazs from a tight angle.

The only game at Wembley without a goal in extra time was in 2005, when Arsenal won one of their 14 titles.

Liverpool now have the eighth FA Cup they waited 16 years to win.

Complete set for Boss #EmiratesFACuppic.twitter.com/fqHe9D2ekn

, Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 14, 2022