KEIR RADNEDGE REPORTS: Liverpool, after a shootout with 21 perfect penalties, defeated Chelsea 11-10 to win in the League Cup for the ninth time after a goalless, extra-time draw. It was manager Jurgen Klopp’s third time lucky in a Wembley final.

A breathless game which brought chances and disallowed goals at both ends between two extremely well-matched teams ended amid a Chelsea selection controversy.

Manager Thomas Tuchel brought on Kepa Arrizabalaga to take over from Edouard Mendy in the last minute of extra time. In the end, after every outfield player converted their penalties it came down to a duel between the keepers: Caoimhin Kelleher converted his kick then stood in delight as Kepa skied his own shot high over the bar.

Klopp’s decision to pick Kelleher rather than No1 choice Alisson was rewarded right from the opening minutes when he made a crucial. Christian Pulisic, on his 100th Chelsea appearance, wriggled through the Liverpool defence only to see his close-range shot blocked by the keeper’s body. Liverpool’s escape was, from Chelsea’s point of view, a bad miss.

Reds’ manager Jurgen Klopp had opted by Caoimhin Kelleher in goal and he made a crucial save in the fifth minute. Christian Pulisic, on his 100th Chelsea appearance, wriggled through the Liverpool defence only to see his close-range shot blocked by the keeper’s body. Liverpool’s escape was, from Chelsea’s point of view, a bad miss.

Kai Havertz’s cross-pitch attacking movement was a problem for Liverpool but they finally began to find their rhythm after 20 minutes.

Mo Salah shot wide from a free kick before Liverpool forced a string of corners and came close to a goal on the halfhour. Keeper Edouard Mendy came to Chelsea’s rescue with a fine double save from Keita and Mane on the rebound.

Chelsea responded with a Pulisic effort foiled again by Kelleher before Havertz thumped over the bar and Mason Mount jabbed wide almost on halftime.

The second half began like the first with Chelsea wasting two more chances. First Mount shot against a post then had a drive saved low by Kelleher.

Now it was Liverpool’s turn. A poor clearance by Mendy put the Reds in possession only for Mane’s miscued shot to be cleared out of the goal area by Thiago Silva. Then both sides had ‘goals’ disallowed for offside. Joel Matip and Havertz had their respective celebrations were cut short.

Mendy and Kelleher kept Chelsea then Liverpool alive with sharp saves from Virgil van Dijk and substitute Romelu Lukaku as the final ran into stoppage time and then extra time when Havertz had another goal disallowed.

Chelsea brought on Kepa Arrizabalaga in goal with a shootout in mind – fatally, as it proved.

Penalties (Liverpool first): Milner 1-0, Marcos Alonso 1-1; Fabinho 2-1, Lukaku 2-2; Van Dijk 3-2, Havertz 3-3; Alexander-Arnold 4-3, James 4-4; Salah 5-4, Jorginho 5-5. Sudden death: Jota 6-5, Rudiger 6-6; Origi 7-6, Kante 7-7; Robertson 8-7, Werner 8-8; Elliott 9-8, Thiago Silva 9-9; Konate 10-9, Chalobah 10-10; Kelleher 11-10, Kepa pver the bar 11-10.

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