Liverpool won the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday night, after beating Chelsea 5-4 on penalties.
The game ended 2-2 after extra-time, but full debutant Adrian’s save to deny Tammy Abraham in the shootout proved to be the difference between the two sides.
Olivier Giroud gave Chelsea the lead in the 36th minute with a clever finish, after he was well-found by Christian Pulisic at the edge of the box.
Liverpool equalised two minutes into the second half, when Fabinho found Roberto Firmino with a chipped pass. The latter then set up an open goal for Sadio Mane.
Jurgen Klopp’s men created numerous good chances to put the game to bed, but couldn’t quite find the net.
Fabinho missed the target by inches, while Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga made a heroic double stop to deny Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk.
Five minutes into extra-time, Mane and Firmino combined brilliantly, with the former on-hand to crash his effort into the top corner of the net, via the underside of the crossbar.
Liverpool looked to be heading for victory, but Abraham was fouled by Adrian, leading to a soft penalty being awarded. Jorginho equalised from the spot to send the game into a shootout.
Out of the 10 penalties, nine were scored, but Abraham’s last spot-kick was saved by Adrian to win Klopp’s team the Super Cup.
Here’s how we rated every Liverpool player who took part in the game (out of 10):
Adrian – 8
The shootout hero had a good game in normal time, too. He gave away the penalty in extra-time, but that decision could have gone either way.
Joe Gomez – 6
Gomez started well at right-back, but struggled to cope with Pulisic as the game went on.
Switched to left-back in extra-time, where he fared better.
Joel Matip – 5
Matip had one of his bad days in the office. He struggled against Giroud and looked very sloppy in possession.
Virgil van Dijk – 6
The Dutchman wasn’t at his dominant best. He got caught in possession at times, but did recover well, in fairness.
Andy Robertson – 5
Apart from one or two moments, Robertson was very quiet at left-back. He was substituted just before extra-time.
Fabinho – 6
The Brazilian star struggled in the first half but came back into it after the break. He helped set up the first goal and looked more assured from then on.
Found the net with his penalty, despite suffering from cramp.
Jordan Henderson – 6
The captain had a mixed game. He was able to maraud forward to influence attacks from time to time, but wasn’t always tracking back to help the back-line when required.
James Milner – 5
Milner was getting bypassed in midfield for fun during the first half. He was eventually replaced at the start of the second period.
Mohamed Salah – 7
The Egyptian star worked hard defensively and had one or two good chances to score, but Kepa was there to save his attempts.
Scored Liverpool’s all-important fifth penalty in the shootout.
Sadio Mane – 8
Mane started the game as a number nine and struggled, but grew into it after half-time when switched to his usual left-hand side position.
He scored the first goal with ease and the second was simply superb.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – 5
The Englishman got his first start since April 2018 and was anonymous for the whole of the first half. Klopp had no choice but to replace him at half-time.
His rustiness was understandable, though.
(SUB) Roberto Firmino – 8
The Brazil international completely transformed Liverpool going forward after coming on at half-time. Assisted both goals and looked menacing.
Fired home his penalty with ease.
(SUB) Gini Wijnaldum – 5
Came on for Milner to assert more control in midfield, but the Dutchman was equally anonymous and struggled.
(SUB) Trent Alexander-Arnold – 5
Pushed forward in extra-time but was getting caught out by Mason Mount defensively.
Scored his penalty, although Kepa should have saved it.
(SUB) Divock Origi – 5
Came on for the final 16 minutes of extra-time and didn’t trouble the Chelsea defence too much.
Just about scored his spot-kick, like Alexander-Arnold.
