Liverpool defeated Chelsea by 6-5 on penalties at the Wembley to crown the 2021/2022 English FA Cup champions.
The pulsating encounter ended goalless in regular time on Saturday evening.
The Reds still remain in the pursuit of a quadruple this season having already won the Carabao Cup final and have secured a date with Real Madrid in the Champions League final. They are also chasing Manchester City in the hunt for the English Premier League title.
The decisive moment was when Liverpool’s Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson saved Mason Mount’s spot-kick, before Kostas Tsimikas sent Edouard Mendy the wrong way to win it for Liverpool.
Jurgen Klopp’s men started the game like a house on fire and had very good chances to lead. Luis Diaz was particularly impressive. Also, Scottish left-back Andrew Robertson hit the post after meeting James Milner’s beautiful cross.
Chelsea had chances of their own but failed to convert, with Alison denying Spanish defender Marcos Alonso, who also hit the crossbar from an inviting free-kick.
The Blues have now set an unwanted record, becoming the first club to lose three consecutive FA Cup finals.
Liverpool would have won the shootout earlier but Sadio Mane failed to put his kick past compatriot Mendy.
Mount’s penalty loss meant Liverpool only needed to convert, and Tsimikas stepped up to brilliantly dispatch his penalty into the back of the net.
Liverpool will have to assess the injuries suffered by both Mohamed Salah and Virgil Van Dijk ahead of the Champions League final, and with two league games of the season to go.
