Liverpool wins EFL Cup in dramatic penalty-kick duel with Chelsea
Liverpool are EFL Cup (a.k.a. Carabao Cup) champions for the ninth time after a dramatic win in penalties against Chelsea in the final.
The two sides played to a scoreless tie through over two hours of play, but neither team could miss in penalties. After each team scored 10 successful penalties without a miss, the goalkeepers were both forced to step up for a kick. While Liverpool's Caoimhin Kelleher buried his shot to make it 11 straight for the team, Chelsea's Kepa Arrizabalaga launched a kick over the top crossbar.
Despite the scoreless tie in regulation and extra time, there were no shortage of scoring opportunities. Several goals were negated by offside calls, and both teams blew opportunities to finish.
Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy had an especially impressive game to shut down the Liverpool squad before he was subbed off for Arrizabalaga just before penalties.
The EFL Cup is an annual knockout tournament open to any club in the top four levels of English soccer. With the victory, Liverpool now has more EFL Cup wins than any other club, breaking a tie with Manchester City. Chelsea has won the tournament five times and has now finished as a runner-up four times.
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