In what was Chelsea’s biggest game this season, the blues took the bus trip to Wembley with the hope of ending its recent succession of losses in domestic cup finals.
With the fight for top four in the premier still ongoing, Thomas Tuchel would have given anything for the trophy today at Wembley.
The blues did start rather sluggishly and were lucky not to have been two goals down after the first 10 minutes but did steady the ship after the opening onslaught from Liverpool. The first half ended with chances for both sides but neither took their lot.
The second period started with the blues on the front foot and could have taken the lead with a well taken curling free kick from Alonso which struck the bar before Pulisic also drew a fine save from Alisson after some nice hold up play by Romelu Lukaku.
The game ended in regulation time and with both sets of players tired, the extra time took a drab approach and both teams settled for penalty shootouts.
Now are 5 lessons learned as blues suffer another Wembley heartbreak:
Tuchel is Class
Something alluded to by his compatriot Timo Werner in a recent interview, Tuchel is right at the top of the pile when considering the very best of coaches available right now.
In four separate encounters against Klopp’s Liverpool, Tuchel remained undefeated in regulation time and was only let down by his players in the two cup final losses (Both penalty shootouts).
Today against Klopp, Tuchel went toe-to-toe against a red hot Liverpool side and considering the quality of players available to him, that deserves a lot of credit.
With the incoming owners promising top quality signings, there is every chance Tuchel finally gets to conquer on the domestic stage.
Poor finishing costs blues once more
With the quality of chances created, one can only wonder how the game ended goalless. On the path of the blues, Alonso had the most attempts on goal and seemed the most likely goal scorer on the pitch despite the blues boasting of a record signing striker in Romelu Lukaku.
Just as in the Carabão cup final, Christian Pulisic also got into some promising positions and couldn’t find the finishing touch. Time and time again has Tuchel’s attack line failed him in crucial moments this season and one only wonders what would have been if he had strikers ruthless enough to get an the end of chances.
James’ validation
Something that has remained a debate amongst fans, pundits and a few players has been the comparison of the quality inherent in both Reece James and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
The cobham graduate validated those in support of him as the best right back in world football at present with a scintillating display at RWB.
James playing in his favored RWB role came up against a deadly Luis Diaz and Robertson on occasions and topped both with either his strength, or impressive defensive awareness. On the other hand, his competitor TAA got exposed time and time again by Alonso who made runs stealthily behind the Liverpool right back.
Tonight’s match only justifies the claims of Reece James being the best right back in world football.
Alonso personality
A player that divides opinion amongst fans and faithfuls, Alonso once again showed his class and experience with a strong performance down the Chelsea left. The Spaniard despite his considerable lack of pace never stopped patrolling down the left hand side and can count himself unlucky not to have got on the scoresheet after another immense display.
The Spaniard helped nullify Liverpool’s attacking threat as well as proving a viable attacking option himself. Alonso does turn up big time in big games!
Mount remains unlucky
A player every true Chelsea fan appreciates and dearly love, it is only a shame Mason remains unlucky in moments that matters most.
Coming into this game, Mount stated his desire to break his domestic dock and after being one of the culprits in the Carabão cup final with huge misses, the Englishman did turn up big on this occasion and ran his heart out on the pitch.
Mason Mount has suffered brutal bad luck at Wembley since his time at Derby and would be cursing his luck once again after missing the crucial penalty that handed Liverpool the FA cup title.
“Money Mase” remains our beloved!
Man of the Match: Reece James 9/10.
Focus now turns back to the premier league as the blues seek to seal Champions league qualification with only a point needed as Leicester City come visiting the Bridge.
