Mane shines as Liverpool carry UEFA Tremendous Cup in victory over Chelsea

Liverpool’s affinity with lifting European silverware after penalties in Istanbul continued on Wednesday as they have been topped UEFA Tremendous Cup champions, beating Chelsea 5-Four on penalties at Vodafone Park.

Positives

The Reds fought again within the second half after a dismal opening 45 minutes, and after equalising, induced Chelsea points for a 10-minute interval. They took the lead and have been unfortunate to see a penalty given in opposition to them. Roberto Firmino loved one other spectacular, instrumental efficiency, and Sadio Mane confirmed no indicators of tiredness following only a two-week offseason.

Negatives

Liverpool’s midfielders may as nicely have remained within the dressing room through the opening half given the way in which Chelsea sliced by way of centrally as if that they had the liberty of the pitch. The dearth of stability and compactness to the facet’s form put the defence beneath huge stress, whereas the attackers have been starved of service. There have been too many events the place there was no stress on the ball, and passiveness shouldn’t be a trait this crew is tagged with. Liverpool are nowhere close to as threatening with out the creativity of their full-backs.

Supervisor ranking out of 10

6 — Jurgen Klopp watched his midfield wrestle terribly within the first half, with Jordan Henderson and James Milner pulling broad, which allowed Chelsea to overload the central space, isolating Fabinho and giving N’Golo Kante license to thrive. The German was lucky to see his facet simply 1-Zero down on the interval. He launched Firmino for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain initially of the second half, which altered the sport instantly.

Participant scores (1-10; 10 = greatest, gamers launched after 70 minutes get no ranking)

GK Adrian, 6 — Produced a vital save on the ft of Mateo Kovacic after Pedro had slid him in on 32 minutes, however may have finished higher with Olivier Giroud’s low end, which went beneath him. Was sensible along with his ft to thwart Tammy Abraham, however conceded an unconvincing penalty proper after, and was sat down by some cool Jorginho approach on the following spot kick. Did nicely to cease a Mason Mount strike within the second half of additional time. Gained the sport by saving Abraham’s penalty with a trailing leg.

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DF Joe Gomez, 5 — Reduce out a harmful ball from Kante, however Chelsea had an excessive amount of pleasure down his facet. Gomez does not supply the attacking menace of Trent Alexander-Arnold, and with Liverpool’s midfield failing to create within the first half, that was an issue. Cleared from Abraham late on. Switched to left-back after Andy Robertson’s withdrawal.

DF Joel Matip, 5 — Had an vital problem to stop Christian Pulisic getting a transparent shot contained in the field within the opening 5 minutes. Was positionally poor as Liverpool have been beneath stress because of ceding the midfield. Crushed for tempo too simply greater than as soon as.

DF Virgil van Dijk, 6 — Not the centre-back’s best night given the big gaps in entrance of him. Had a shot on 74 minutes that Kepa Arrizabalaga fantastically saved onto the bar. Blocked Pedro’s effort as each groups pushed for a winner.

DF Andy Robertson, 5 — Stellar defending to disclaim Pedro an effort on aim 21 minutes in, however was troubled by the Spain worldwide. His attacking contribution was curbed in consequence.

MF Fabinho, 6 — Was swamped within the first half when he needed to act as a one-man midfield, with Chelsea crowding and inflicting him all types of issues. His pretty lofted ball led to Mane’s aim. Improved with Georginio Wijnaldum’s introduction as he had larger safety within the centre. Scored his penalty.

MF Jordan Henderson, 6 — Delivered some good crosses, however together with Milner, was a part of the explanation Liverpool have been picked aside so painfully by Chelsea because the pair saved funnelling broad. Significantly better within the second interval, however did not win a lot of his duels.

MF James Milner, 5 — Accomplished 4 key passes, however the 33-year-old laboured by way of the sport earlier than being changed by Wijnaldum. He was dispossessed very often as Chelsea took command of midfield within the first half.

FW Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, 5 — Some brilliant touches within the opening minutes, however did not tattoo himself on a sport that might have been higher served if he began in central midfield fairly than on the left wing. Made means at half-time for Firmino.

FW Sadio Mane, eight — Tried an overhead kick early on that seemed prefer it ought to have been a penalty for handball because it hit Andreas Christensen’s palms. Wasn’t equipped sufficient within the first 45, however was then decisive to attract Liverpool again into the sport earlier than placing them forward with a shocking end with 95 minutes on the clock.

Sadio Mane scored each of Liverpool’s objectives en path to the Reds’ shootout victory over Chelsea within the UEFA Tremendous Cup. Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Photos

FW Mohamed Salah, 7 — Compelled a save from Kepa on 16 minutes, however like Mane and Oxlade-Chamberlain, was watching the deficiencies of the midfield fairly than receiving service from the trio. Got here to life, as did the remainder of his teammates, with the introduction of Firmino. Had a shot blocked on 74 minutes. Scored his penalty.

Substitutes

FW Roberto Firmino, eight — Was on the pitch for 3 minutes earlier than directing Fabinho’s ball excessive towards Mane for Liverpool’s equaliser. Remodeled the facet instantly and was the supplier once more for the Senegal speedster’s second of the evening. Scored his penalty.

MF Georginio Wijnaldum, 6 — Aided Liverpool’s intention to be extra compact and offered two key passes.

DF Trent Alexander-Arnold, 6 — On for Robertson in further time and acquired a yellow card for stopping Mount on the counter. Scored his penalty.

FW Divock Origi, NR — Changed Mane on 103 minutes. Scored his penalty.