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Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has defender goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga and the decision to bring him on for the penalty shootout after a nightmare 11-10 loss on spotkicks to Liverpool in Sunday’s League Cup final.
Tuchel brought on Kepa for Edouard Mendy in the 120th minute in anticipation of penalties after the 0-0 draw with the Reds but the Spaniard failed to make any impact.
Kepa was unable to save any penalties, as the shootout went to sudden death, eventually with the goalkeeper stepping up and skying his shot over the bar, sealing Liverpool’s triumph.
“I feel bad for him but (there is) no blame”, Tuchel said. “If you want to blame someone, blame me. I take the decisions and I don’t take them to be the hero.
“We took the decision like we did last time [in the Super Cup] in the penalty shoot-out.
“Everybody knows how good he is. Unfortunately, he could not save the penalties, which were brilliantly taken.”
As Tuchel eluded to, Chelsea used Kepa in similar circumstances in August’s UEFA Super Cup triumph over Villarreal.
Meanwhile, triumphant boss Jurgen Klopp celebrated his fifth piece of silverware since taking over at Anfield in 2015, including the 2019 UEFA Champions League and 2019-20 Premier League.
“Facing Chelsea, there was like two lions going for each other it was absolutely crazy,” Klopp said. “They started better, we took over and were then better.
“Second half, started again with two really good moments of Chelsea, we sorted it again and then in the end everybody was tired on the pitch obviously and then you have to get through.
“Then the penalty shootout, one of the most spectacular I ever saw. Absolutely great to win it like this. We called it the people’s cup but the whole journey was a squad journey and that’s what I love most about it.”
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