Liverpool secure second title of season after FA Cup win

The Reds won 6-5 on penalties.

The Reds celebrate their FA cup
Author: Henry Winter/Simon Peach PAPublished 15th May 2022

Liverpool have won the FA Cup - after the dramatic clash at Wembley was decided on penalties!

Alisson Becker was the spot-kick hero as Liverpool secured another penalty shoot-out triumph against Chelsea to win the FA Cup and keep their quest for an unprecedent quadruple alive.

Just 76 days after the Reds edged past Thomas Tuchel's men on penalties following a scoreless Carabao Cup final, Wembley witnessed another gripping clash between these sides that went down to the wire.

Nothing could split them after 90 minutes and extra time again, with Alisson coming up trumps in the shoot-out as Liverpool won their first FA Cup since 2006.

Edouard Mendy prevented Sadio Mane striking the winner after Cesar Azpilicueta had hit the post, only for the Brazil goalkeeper to deny Mason Mount before Kostas Tsimikas struck to seal a 6-5 win.

While the quadruple may eventually prove out of reach given Manchester City's Premier League advantage, Jurgen Klopp's Reds still have a shot at Champions League glory to come as a superb season heads towards a memorable conclusion.

It was a third FA Cup final defeat in as many years for Chelsea, who were denied a 22nd and final trophy of the Roman Abramovich era in gutting fashion.

Liverpool went closest to finding a knockout blow in normal time.

Diaz clipped the outside of the right-hand post from a difficult angle in the 83rd minute and just a minute later Robertson clattered the other post when meeting James Milner's cross on the volley from close range.

Wembley held its collective breath when Diaz cut back as the amount of stoppage time was announced, only to bend his strike just beyond the far post as the match went to extra time.

The first period was far edgier than the 90 minutes that preceded it, with Mount flashing over from distance as players grew tired and chances dried up.

Hakim Ziyech saw penalty appeals waved away and Alexander-Arnold cleared a threatening clipped cross as the match went to penalties.

Neither side could find a breakthrough and the game went to penalties. Alonso and Milner scored their attempts, before Azpilicueta hit the right-hand post.

Every other player had found the net and Mane knew victory was Liverpool's if he beat Mendy, only for the Blues goalkeeper to save his Senegal team-mate's effort low to his left.

Chelsea's hope prove shortlived however. After Ziyech and Jota scored, Alisson denied Mount before Tsimikas slotted home the winning spot-kick.

The win means Liverpool are still on course for an historic quadruple, after winning the League Cup in February

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