The Football League Cup: Liverpool Wins Their "Number 9" Trophy
Hello Sports Talkers, someone asked why I didn't talk about Liverpool's victory over Chelsea in the 2022 Carabao Cup final. I answered that I was still celebrating. Yes, I needed enough time to celebrate because it was a hell of a victory. So, I guess I have celebrated enough and, it's time to add the victory post on my blog. It's worth writing about because your club doesn't get to win trophies every season.
Everyone loves it when a final match actually looks like a final. I mean final games should be heated up with no one side dominating the other. Finals should be tough, full of drama, suspense-filled, and with so much quality from both teams. The officiating was great although, I think Matip's goal was unduly ruled out. We saw a true final match in the Carabao Cup outing involving the Reds and the Blues. Both Chelsea and Liverpool showed high quality during the game which made the game an interesting one.
Speaking of both attacks, they were aggressive and so hungry for goals. However, both goalkeepers (Mendy and Kelleher) made some breathtaking saves denying a full-time victory. I admit I was scared at some point but I'm happy with the way things turned out.
Match Recap
Watch Full Highlights Here
In case you missed the event, I'll help give you a very brief review. The Carabao Cup final took the stage at Wembley Stadium on February 27, 2020, with the two teams involved being Liverpool FC and Chelsea. Liverpool FC were the favourites to win the game judging from the odds given by betting sites.
The line-up was a bit changed by Jurgen Klopp and his decisions were well-rewarded. The likes of Thiago Alcantara and Roberto Firminho were left out because of injury concerns. Surprisingly, Liverpool's first-choice goalkeeper was kept on the bench for the third-choice goalkeeper, Caoimhin Kelleher. When asked why he made that decision at the post-match, he noted thus as I paraphrase:
"I am two things; a coach and a human being. So, I let the human being in me to win."
Let me throw more light on that, Caoimhin Kelleher has been the one goalkeeper in most rounds of the tournament. On the other hand, Alisson Becker has been focused on the more serious competition which is the EPL.
Jurgen Klopp meant that it was unfair to sit Caoimhin Kelleher out on the D-Day when he's been the one doing the EFL cup job more. Interestingly, Alisson was excited to watch the Liverpool Academy lad perform because he impressed a great deal.
The first half began and both sides were up and running. The Reds seemed to have more ball possession but we're unlucky with goals. Chelsea did put up a fight as well but it was goalless at Halftime. In the second half, we saw more pressure and energy but still no goal. The deadlock was almost ended in the 67th minute with a Joel Matip goal but VAR said Virgil Van Dijk was offside.
The Moment That Changes Things
Eventually, it was still goalless at full-time and extra time. In such cases, a penalty shoot-out is always the next phase. Indeed, it was the most thrilling and suspenseful penalty shoot-out I have seen this year. Some say the penalty is a game of luck and I won't argue that. But I do know that it is a game of confidence and carefulness.
Because of the penalty shoot-outs, Thomas Tuchel subbed Mendy for Kepa believing that he will help stop at least one of the shoot-outs. On the other hand, Kelleher is not a penalty stopper by the way because we haven't seen him stop one before but he was confident in himself and his teammates had confidence in him as well. This is always very important in a goalkeeper's performance.
All 10 players kicked and scored their spot-kicks. Both goalkeepers couldn't stop any of the balls from hitting the net. It was the goalkeeper's turn to play. Kelleher took to the stand and interestingly, he scored. Kepa took his turn with so much confidence but unfortunately for Chelsea and fortunately for Liverpool, he played it over the crossbar. As a result, Liverpool FC has crowned the winners of the 2022 Carabao Cup.
Liverpool Now Hold 9 EFL CUPS
EFL Cup - Wiki Commons
The Reds are now the most successful football club in the English Football League competition. They now hold 9 EFL Cups after their victory against Thomas Tuchel's men on the night of February 27, 2022. Liverpool won the first 9 trophies in the following years: 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1995, 2001, 2003, 2012, 2022.
However, Manchester City is a close second with 8 of the trophies. It was indeed a record-breaking victory and it was well-deserved. More so, Jurgen Norbert Klopp has now secured 5 trophies for Liverpool FC, ever since his appointment as the club's manager.
Liverpool Hopes for 2022
As a fan, I'm expecting and hoping that the Reds win more trophies this year. Liverpool is still competitive in other competitions this season. They sit 3 points adrift Manchester City in the English Premier League. Also, they are still contenders in the UEFA Champions League and FA Cup.
I can't boldly say that they will win any of the other trophies but my hopes are very high. The squad is still in good shape although they are a few injury concerns. Good thing is, we have secured one trophy already.
LIVERPOOL FC - YOU'LL NEVER WALK ALONE
Liverpool won a promising goalkeeper for the future because of their successful betting and vision forward, working on a project with clear goals and plans and with names like Jota, Elliott, Diaz, Konate it seems that Liverpool's future is safe.
You can say that again..
The future looks bright already