Liverpool vs Chelsea: Reds are Super Cup winners after beating Blues 5-4 on penalties
- Liverpool vs Chelsea saw the Reds win the UEFA Super Cup title 5-4 on penalties
- Both sides stretched the game into penalties after playing 2-2 draw in 120 minutes
- This will be the first time in 14 years a Premier League team will be winning the title
- Jurgen Klopp's side are the English team to have lifted the trophy in 2005 after beating CSKA Moscow 3-1
Olivier Giroud opened scoring for the Blues in the 36th minute after powering a low shot from close range straight into Adrian's legs before strolling into the net.
Christian Pulisic provided the assist for the goal after taking on four Liverpool defenders before sending the ball across to the Frenchman who fired home with his left leg.
Before the Blues got the chance to break the deadlock, Pedro Rodriguez had a chance to put his side ahead in the 22 minute but the Spaniard was denied by wood-works.
The duo of Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah were also presented with begging chances earlier in the game but they both failed to converted the opportunities.
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But Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga was able to keep his side in shape following his superb saves which denied the home team a chance to score in the first half.
Both sides continued their attacking football for the remainder of the first half but neither was able to find the back of the net as they referee sounded the whistle to end the first 45 minutes.
On returning to the pitch for the rest of the game, Sadio Mane restored parity for the Blues after benefiting from a poor save from Kepa Arrizabalaga which allowed the Senegalese to tap the ball into an open to and level the scoreline for his side.
The Spanish keeper tried to save the danger after his defenders lost guard during the Reds attack but eventually failed to achieve his aim.
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Moments before the equaliser came, the world's most expensive goalkeeper had stopped Mane from scoring with the striker finding himself in at a vantage position.
With the time ticking faster than expected, Liverpool turned momentum to their favour as they mount serious pressure on the Blues.
As Andrew Robertson sent a pass across to Mane but Kepa once again stopped the Senegalese from getting on the scores sheet again in the second half.
Frank Lampard's men however tried a counter-attacking move in a bid to take the lead for the second time in the game but Pulisic was found in an offside position.
Mount Mason came on for Christian Pulisic in the 74th minute and barely ten minutes after his introduction, he made his impact felt but his goal was ruled out for offside by the female referee.
Four minutes towards the end of the match, Sadio Mane missed a glorious chance to put his side in front for the first time in this game after receiving a well packaged pass from Salah.
At the start of extra time, Jurgen Klopp introduced Trent Alexander-Arnold as replacement for Andrew Robertson in a bid to freshen his squad a little.
And moments after the tactical substitution, Joseph Gomez launched a long range shot but Arrizabalaga showed why he is the current most expensive goalkeeper by stopping the ball from entering his net.
Mane puts Liverpool in front for the first time in this game in the 95th after stringing a nice 1-2 pass with Firmino before finally sending the ball across Kepa's goal-line.
Chelsea responded nicely to the goal they conceded with an equaliser in the 101st minute after Jorginho perfectly converted a spot kick to hand his side a life line in the game.
The Reds keeper Adrian tripped Tammy Abraham in the danger zone but it took the intervention of the VAR before the penalty was awarded.
Legit.ng earlier reported that Chelsea were hammered 4-0 at Old Trafford by Manchester in their Premier League opening fixture last weekend.
A brace from Marcus Rashford, while Anthony Martial and Daniel James scored a goal each to hand the Red Devils a flying start.
However, the Blues new handler Frank Lampard has taken it upon himself to motivate his players to push the defeat behind them as they face another tricky clash on Wednesday.
Source: YEN.com.gh
