Liverpool has won the FA Cup for the eighth time, this time against Chelsea on penalties, which was also their winning strategy in 2006.
They finally won the iconic trophy after beating Chelsea in the League Cup final in February.
The Reds’ cup triple is now just one match away as they defeated a spirited Chelsea team that had lost three consecutive FA Cup finals.
During a tense 90 minutes, both teams should have scored.
Extra time appeared set to end in spot-kicks, but the silverware goes to the Merseyside giants!
Starting lineup:
CHELSEA (3-4-2-1): Edouard Mendy; Antonio Rudiger, Thiago Silva, Trevoh Chalobah; Reece James, Jorginho, Mateo Kovacic, Marcos Alonso; Mason Mount, Christian Pulisic; Romelu Lukaku.
SUBS: Kepa Arrizabalaga, Saul Niguez, Hakim Ziyech, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Malang Sarr, Cesar Azpilicueta, Ross Barkley, Timo Werner, N’Golo Kante.
LIVERPOOL (4-3-3): Alisson; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Andrew Robertson; Jordan Henderson, Thiago, Naby Keita; Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Luis Diaz.
SUBS: Caoimhin Kelleher, Joe Gomez, Kostas Tsimikas, Joel Matip, Curtis Jones, James Milner, Diogo Jota, Roberto Firmino, Divock Origi.
Klopp told the BBC:
“[We were] outstanding, I have to say it was again the same, an incredibly intense game against Chelsea, they would have deserved it the same way [as us], like in the EFL Cup.
“Small margins were again the difference, and I couldn’t be more proud of my boys, what they did, the shift they put in, how they fought, how hard it was.
“[We had] the early change with Mo, Virgil is fine, I think – all these things, missing good chances, overcoming good moments from Chelsea and having good moments, playing a perfect game, but nothing will change the result…Then the penalty shoot-out was nerve-wracking; my nails are gone!”
Chelsea became the first team in FA Cup history to finish as runners-up in three consecutive seasons, losing to Arsenal in 2020 and Leicester City last year.
Klopp said he felt for the Blues, who had matched his side in proving they were “mentality monsters.”
“I feel for Chelsea; the second time after 120 minutes that they get nothing, that’s hard,” he added.
“For us, I’m pretty happy! They’re mentality monsters, but I saw mentality monsters in blue as well. It was one penalty, that’s it. Chelsea played outstanding, but in the end, there must be one winner, and that was us today.”
So, what’s next?
Klopp pips Tuchel to become the first German coach to lift the FA Cup, and two more trophies are still available to his Liverpool side, who are yet to contest the Champions League final.
It is a hollow end to a brutal campaign for the reigning European and world champions, who must regroup and recover for their final two Premier League fixtures.
They now watch on as Liverpool lifts the cup in front of their fans.