Chelsea vs Liverpool FA cup final: Player Ratings
Déjà vu for Chelsea as they lost yet again on penalties in a cup final at Wembley this season to Liverpool. There was nothing between the two sides in normal time for the fourth time this season. Missed penalties from César Azpilicueta and Mason Mount cost the Blues, whose season has come to a disappointing end.
Player Ratings:
Edouard Mendy- 8/10
An almost flawless performance from Mendy for 120 minutes. Claimed balls in the air brilliantly and made some fantastic saves to deny Liverpool going ahead in normal time. In the shootout he made what looked to be a vital save against Sadio Mane, but arguably should’ve kept out more, getting fingertips to two early penalties.
Trevoh Chalobah- 6/10
The young defender struggled to deal with a lively Luis Diaz who had Chalobah on the ropes at some point. He did grow into the game, making some important tackles on Liverpool forwards. He departed the field at half time of extra time.
Thiago Silva- 7/10
The veteran defender spent the better part of the game with a stud wound in his leg courtesy of an accidental collision with Chalobah, but he battled through the pain to marshal the Chelsea defence. He made some silly errors, but he dealt brilliantly with a dangerous late Liverpool attack in normal time to send the game into extra-time.
Antonio Rüdiger- /10
That is the last chance for the German to win a trophy in a Chelsea shirt gone, ahead of his move to Real Madrid in t7he Summer. Rüdiger looked slightly shaky on the ball at times, but defended well overall, keeping a clean sheet against a dangerous Liverpool side over 120 minutes. The speed he showed to race back and tackle Mane deep in extra-time, highlighted to Chelsea fans what they will miss with his departure next season.
Reece James- 8/10
James put on a defensive clinic against Liverpool, constantly breaking up attacks and quickly moving the ball forward to attack. He could’ve had a few assists with dangerous balls into the box that no one could turn home. A fantastically cool penalty in the shootout, slotting it straight down the middle.
Marcos Alonso- 7/10
A strong game from Alonso, yet he will be devastated he didn’t score in normal time. One of Chelsea’s most potent attacking threats in the game and scored his penalty in the shoot-out. He did well defensively dealing with Salah while the dangerous Egyptian was on the pitch.
Jorginho- 8/10
The Chelsea captain will be devastated that he has not walked away from Wembley with the FA cup in tow with the performance he put in today. Jorginho showed the world his quality, making tackles, interceptions, killer passes, and even a quality finish in the shootout. A brilliant performance from the Italian.
Mateo Kovačić- 6/10
Well done to Kovačić today. The Croatian was on the receiving end of a shocking tackle less than four days ago which forced him off the pitch injured, but he battled through 65 minutes today. He made some good tackles high up the field but was often caught slightly behind the pace of the game. A brave performance from a man struggling with injury.
Mason Mount- 6/10
Devastating for Mason Mount. In normal time he looked dangerous, and should’ve had an assist when he found Pulisic brilliantly in the box. He pressed high up the pitch for 120 minutes, giving everything for his side. He will remember this game, however, for his crucial penalty miss in the shootout. His sudden death penalty shot was tame, and comfortably saved by Alisson, leaving Tsimikas to win the game for Liverpool.
Romelu Lukaku- 5/10
The Belgian struggled to get involved, with Van Dijk and Konate keeping him locked down all game. He had one good chance on his left foot that he blazed high over the bar. Lukaku did show some brief signs of linking up the play, laying the ball off to Pulisic whose shot couldn’t find the back of the net.
Christian Pulisic- 7/10
How has Christian Pulisic walked away from Wembley without a goal to his name today? Multiple shots that either went wide or were comfortably saved by Alisson. The American did look dangerous throughout, however, and he could’ve had an assist when his pass put Alonso through on the Liverpool goal.
Subs
N’Golo Kante- 5/10
Kante’s passing has declined this season rapidly. When Chelsea break with Kante on the ball the attack just seems to break down due to a pass slightly behind the attacker killing the momentum. His defensive work, however, was as ever, brilliant, nipping in to win the ball so well, making three tackles in his cameo as a sub.
Hakim Ziyech- 6/10
The Moroccan came onto the pitch with the aim of producing something magical to unlock a resilient Liverpool defence. Ziyech played some dangerous balls into the box, but none were turned home. He took his penalty well in the shootout.
César Azpilicueta- 5/10
If that is the last opportunity for the Chelsea legend to win a trophy at the club, it will be bitterly disappointing for Azpilicueta. He came on as a late sub in extra time, and was not involved much in the last few minutes. His penalty, however, struck the outside of the post, putting Chelsea at a disadvantage from the off.
Ross Barkley- 7/10
Brought on for penalties for Loftus-Cheek, who lasted less than 15 minutes on the pitch. Barkley has become a forgotten figure at Chelsea over the last few months, not appearing on the pitch at all. He did his job today, however, with a brilliant penalty drilled home.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek- N/A
Thomas Tuchel- 7/10
It was the same old story for Thomas Tuchel, with missed chances costing the Blues time and time again this season. He will be devastated to have been beaten by Liverpool twice in a cup final this season, both on penalties. His attention will now turn to what will hopefully be a busy transfer window for Chelsea.
Twitter- @Kieranroy1
