Liverpool won the Super Cup 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 full time score and 2-2 at the end of extra time. Chelsea put in a great display against the current European Champions and really can count themselves unlucky not to have come away with the trophy.
N’Golo Kante started for us in a midfield which consisted of Jorginho and Kovacic. Kante was doubtful prior to the game as he’d picked up a small injury after coming on as sub against Manchester United on Sunday. However, Kante gave us a little something extra last night, his energy is boundless at times and his fitness is second-to-none. Considering that he played the full 120 minutes, there couldn’t have been too much wrong with him prior to the game.
Along with Kante, Christian Pulisic made his first full competitive debut and didn’t look out of place in the slightest. Mason Mount and Ross Barkley dropped to the bench, while Olivier Giroud took the place of Tammy Abraham. It was a combination of Pulisic and Giroud that gave us the lead in the 36th minute after Giroud slotted beyond ex-West Ham goalkeeper Adrian. It was 0-1 in our favour at half-time and things were looking good.
However, one of Chelsea’s failings in more recent times has been to concede just after half time; this happened again when Mane scored three minutes after the interval. Mason Mount thought that he’d won the game in the 83rd minute, but the offside flag was raised much to his and our disappointment.
Extra time bought an early Liverpool goal from Mane, this was his second of the night after good work between him and Firmino. Before half time in extra time, Tammy Abraham was close to making it 2-2 but sadly put the ball the wrong side of the post. Chelsea were on top by this time as we pushed for the equaliser – Mason Mount had a shot saved by Adrian, but when Tammy Abraham got into the area and was bought down by their keeper, the penalty was given.
Up stepped Jorginho with his hop, skip and a jump style penalty and gave Adrian no chance, we were back on level terms. A late curling chance by Pedro in extra time beat Adrian but also the post, so it was left to the lottery of penalties to decide the winner.
At 4-4 in the penalty shoot-out Tammy Abraham stepped up but his shot was saved by the legs of Adrian, which left Mohamed Salah to score Liverpool’s last penalty to give them the trophy. Our performance certainly deserved a whole lot more and should give us enormous confidence ahead of Sunday when Leicester visit Stamford Bridge. Pulisic looks as though he could be a great signing and considering that he’s only 20, there could be a lot more to come from him. Considering that some media outlets predicted that we could have got walloped, we showed supreme spirit and certainly had Herr Klopp on the run at times.
Up the Chels!
Team:
Kepa; Azplicueta, Zouma, Christensen, Emerson; Jorginho, Kante, Kovacic (Barkley 101); Pedro, Giroud (Abraham 74), Pulisic (Mount 74)
Goals: Giroud (36) Jorginho (101)
Penalty Scorers: Jorginho; Barkley; Mount; Emerson.
Referee: Stéphanie Frappart.
