Liverpool FC wins the FA Cup against Chelsea: Klopp’s mentality monsters defy all odds

At the end, a blue smoke flare flew onto the lawn, fired from the Chelsea FC fan block. Referee Craig Pawson had the pyro part removed, but not really. A meter from the corner flag, the thing finally continued to steam and was thus in the extended field of vision of the penalty takers before the run-up.

Liverpool FC players had enough of the Chelsea color in mind even without a blue haze. Pawson had both teams shoot at the goal in front of the Blues fan curve.

Liverpool had already won the League Cup final in February against Chelsea after 120 goalless minutes in the penalty lottery.

Mo Salah has to leave the field injured

This time the pendulum swung strongly in the direction of Chelsea. With luck and a strong goalkeeper, the Londoners survived a furious early phase at Liverpool.

After half an hour, Mohamad Salah was suddenly sitting on the grass in the center circle and indicated his substitution. The Egyptian was substituted for Diogo Jota with a suspected groin strain. Jürgen Klopp first had to hug and comfort a visibly moved Salah.

After midfield strategist Fabinho, who sustained a thigh injury in the league game against Aston Villa, Liverpool will have to worry about losing their next starter in the Champions League final against Real Madrid on 28 May.

For Salah, replaying the 2018 final is perhaps the most important game of his career. Four years ago, after a nasty foul by Sergio Ramos, he also had to leave the field injured after about 30 minutes.

Bad kick by Reece James against Thiago – van Dijk hit

Liverpool looked shocked against Chelsea after Salah’s exit and had goalkeeper Allison Becker and the crossbar to thank for the zero. To make matters worse, Thiago was kicked out of his shoes by Reece James midway through the second half but escaped with a painful wound to his right ankle.

At the beginning of extra time, Liverpool suffered the next setback. Defense chief Virgil van Dijk had to go down due to knee problems, Joel Matip replaced him.

“I felt a stab in my knee in the first half, but then played through regular time. But then I couldn’t take any more risks,” said the Dutchman.

When Sadio Mané then threw in a possible winner on penalties, Liverpool could no longer win the game – but did so because Mason Mount lost his nerve and Kostas Tsimikas slotted it in.

Jürgen Klopp: “I don’t have any fingernails anymore”

“It was extremely close again, like the League Cup final. We were lucky again against a very tough opponent. Being an FA Cup winner feels exceptionally good, even though I’ve lost my fingernails now.” said Klopp, who was the first German coach to win the FA Cup and, after the Championship, Champions League, League Cup, European Supercup and Club World Cup, won his sixth different title with the Reds.

In the sweet moment of victory, Klopp also thought of the losing team: “I feel for Chelsea. They gave their all again for 120 minutes and again didn’t win anything. They were a damn strong opponent again, real mentality monsters. And when mentality monsters play against mentality monsters , something good usually comes out of it.”

With their second penalty shoot-out win over Chelsea, Liverpool are keeping their quadruple dream alive, even if the league title seems unlikely with two games to go and a three-point deficit over Manchester City. But anyone who wins games like Saturday’s can do anything.

Klopp grants Liverpool fans next wish

Klopp has already fulfilled the next long-awaited wish of the Reds supporters on Saturday. “Liverpool fans have been waiting for the league title for a long time and were redeemed two years ago. But they finally wanted to go to Wembley again for an FA Cup final. This title is more important to them than the next Champions League title ‘ explained TV pundit Roy Keane.

It’s been 16 years since the Reds last won the FA Cup. Klopp has also erased this blemish. The coach continues to build his legendary status at Liverpool and the next triumphant final drama should have a positive impact on the last three games of an already incredible season for Liverpool.

“When you win two finals like that, it releases energy again. Liverpool are clear favorites for me in the Champions League final and even more so after the FA Cup final,” said Keane.

But now it’s back to everyday league life and licking wounds. “We had a big party in Dortmund after winning the DFB Cup, here we are playing against Southampton,” said Klopp.

After all, there was encouraging news from the hospital in the evening. Van Dijk’s injury is probably nothing serious. “It’s a bit worse for Mo than for Virgil. Virgil is ok,” said Klopp.

It was a very busy day at work for Liverpool FC. But again a very successful one. The legend is alive.