Liverpool 2(5)-2(4) Chelsea: 5 talking points as the Reds clinch away the UEFA Super Cup title after defeating the Europa League winners.
Chelsea and Liverpool were in an exciting contest in the UEFA Super League final match, which compelled the game to be decided on the penalties, as both the sides remained at the same level on the scoreboard.
It was unexpected from the Blues to be so decisive in this match and Liverpool was expected to have a cakewalk in this match but everything was different in the first half of the game, as Chelsea broke the deadlock first and made the favourites struggle for the first half of the game.
All was merry for Chelsea until Roberto Firmino came onto the pitch to make an instant impact by giving an assist to Sadio Mane in the initial minutes of the second half. The score remained the same until Mane scored once again to make it 2-1.
However, a foul by Adrian on Tammy Abraham awarded Chelsea a penalty, and Jorginho stepped up, to make the score level once again, and register his first goal for Chelsea this season.
With this, the game went onto the penalties and Liverpool’s Instanbul fortune once again worked for them, as the won on penalties after Adrian denied Tammy Abraham’s strike.
Without further ado, the Sportsrush mentions 5 talking points from the intense battle between Liverpool and Chelsea in Istanbul.
#1 Chelsea’s beautiful display of football
After having a rough start in the Premier League, Chelsea uplifted themselves from a huge setback to play a beautiful game against the Reds, as Jurgen Klopp had no answer to the performance made by the Chelsea midfield in the first half.
Kante supported by Pedro and Christian Pulisic showed a brilliant display of football to dominate Liverpool’s defence like never before. Even though, Liverpool had slightly better amount of possession, yet they failed to make a threat in the first half of the match.
On the other hand, Pulisic was a headache for Joel Matip, as the USA International gave a brilliant assist to Oliver Giroud to gain the initial advantage of 1-0 in the game.
Moreover, surprisingly the defensive display by Chelsea was disciplined enough to deny any opportunity to Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane to level terms. Until the latter scored in the second half to make 1-1.
Chelsea passing in the game was graceful like never before and gave a good run of money to Liverpool’s defence.
#2 Christian Pulisic is promising for Chelsea
The young signing by Chelsea had his first start for the Blues after the pre-season tour, and he was uncontrollable by the stoic Liverpool defence. Pulisic’s pace was more than enough to make Joel Matip uncomfortable.
Additionally, the player posed a constant threat throughout the match, as he made a beautiful assist by making a pass through four Liverpool players, only to see Giroud scoring.
Later, the USA International was about to register his goal against Liverpool but was denied by the VAR, as he was slightly offside but his finish was splendid and could have ended the match over there. Unfortunately, he was declared offside only to see him being dropped from the scoresheet.
The player only played till the 74th minute of the game but provided the momentum Chelsea needed against Liverpool in the game.
#3 Roberto Firmino changed the game
Roberto Firmino is known for his instant impact to change the game after, and the Brazilian International undoubtedly did the same, after he was subbed in the game in the second half.
It only took him two minutes in the game to make a difference. The Brazilian Striker gave an assist to Sadio Mane to equalize terms with Chelsea, and the goal certainly brought the Reds back into the game.
In the first half, Chelsea were able to hold the partnership of Mane and Salah, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlin was poor with his performance, but the arrival of Firmino made Chelsea defence work even harder and in the due process, the Blues’ wall faltered to make Liverpool score a goal.
#4 Frank Lampard did his homework after Manchester United game
After the disappointing start to his campaign this season, Frank Lampard certainly did his homework after a beating he received from Manchester United.
The English manager trusted on the experience of Oliver Giroud and talent of Christian Pulisic, and started both of them unlike in his previous game. Both the players gave the necessary momentum in the game by gaining the initial 1-0 advantage.
With the inclusion of both alongside Pedro, Liverpool’s defence was seen struggling in the first half until they pulled themselves in the second half of the game.
The Blues tried to take advantage of every mistake made by the Reds and were dominating. Until Liverpool got hold of the game later in the match to outscore their domestic rivals for a while.
Although, bringing Tammy Abraham and Mason Mount in the later stage of the normal game-time kept the freshness in Chelsea’s lineup and helped them to equalize the score by 2-2.
#5 Despite setbacks Liverpool’s mentality made them win
Liverpool saw various setbacks in the game, as mentioned above, firstly the sluggish performance in the first half made them concede a goal. Despite it, the Reds made a comeback in the second half.
Even after making a lead in the dying minutes of the game, Jurgen Klopp’s side conceded a goal after Jorginho scored from the rewarded penalty. Still, Liverpool kept the game competitive.
Today, the performance by Liverpool was poor, yet they are about to lift the cup, as they have obtained the winner’s mentality in recent months and despite Chelsea performing better they are defeated.
Moreover, it is also luck which can be blamed as it was the last penalty of the game, which brought Chelsea away from victory. However, Liverpool undoubtedly were able to use their key players- Mane and Firmino, when the whole team was not up to the mark.
