Liverpool's cup final shootout win was 'spectacular' - Klopp

Kepa Arrizabalaga refused to come off in the League Cup final. He would have liked to have been in his seat for the Wembley showpiece two years later, but he probably wishes he had.

During the Wembley meeting with Manchester City, Kepa blanked the manager as the team lost on penalties. The outcome was the same, but his role and circumstances were different.

Kepa was sent on to replace the brilliant Edouard Mendy in the closing moments of extra time in a classic goalless EFL Cup final.

Tuchel banked on Kepa being a penalty specialist, but he failed to save any of the 11 penalties, and then sent the decisive spot-kick in the general direction of the North Circular to give the trophy to the Reds.

Kepa was just one component of a magnificent occasion that produced one of the finest goalless draws anyone will see, full of incident, brilliant saves, goals disallowed and chances, with two high-class teams only separated by penalties after 21 successful attempts.

It was clear from the beginning that this was a game that would be decided on the margins.

Mason Mount was guilty of two big misses, while Romelu Lukaku had a goal disallowed.

The decision to select Christian Pulisic ahead of Alisson was justified by the fact that he was denied an early goal by the keeper.

Tuchel's side probably won on clear chances. They paid the price when it came to penalties because they missed them.

Tuchel fell to the ground and beat the turf several times after Mount missed his second key miss.

In the first half, Mendy saved two chances, the first from Naby Keita and the second from Sadio Mane.

The outcome was uncertain all the way for 120 minutes, the tension stretching out into a display of penalty expertise from both sides that went right down to the two keepers.

It was the first domestic cup of the season for the Reds, and part one of a four-pronged attack on silverware this season.

The manner in which they finally got over the line was a tribute to their own resilience and quality.

This was no stand-off stalemate, it was a wait for the first mistake. Both of the teams went out to win.

There was no let-up in the energy, quality, commitment and desire from the two teams who are currently in the elite of domestic and European football.

There is a chance that the paths of the two teams will cross again in cup competition before the season is over.

Kepa Arrizabalaga and Edouard Mendy
Kepa Arrizabalaga is the world's most expensive goalkeeper after signing for Chelsea for £71m in 2018

Tuchel was the one who made the move to send on Kepa. It did not work out, but there was a method to what he did.

It's easy to criticize the manager after the event but he showed the courage of his convictions.

It must have been difficult for Tuchel given the brilliance of Mendy before his substitution.

The same move was made in the Uefa Super Cup final in August, where the Blues won a penalty shoot-out 6-5, but Kepa could not get near the 11 successful attempts by the Reds.

The League Cup in the cabinet will be used to increase the drive for more trophies.

It's not realistic to think that this trophy is high on their priority list when the season starts, but success breeds confidence. They will believe that they can make this a historic season.

Roberto Firmino was out with an injury while Diogo Jota was only fit enough to be on the bench.

It gave Luis Diaz the chance to start and show what he can do.

The person is full of tricks. He is already a potent addition to the fearsome list of forwards led by Sadio Mane and Mo Salah.

The big goalkeeping decision was a huge success. The manager had no doubts about playing Kelleher and he was proved right.

They have one trophy. They have a chance for a quadruple that has never been achieved.

It's a target that the players will aim for, because of the feeling of Wembley success.

After a Wembley filled with entertainment, the first blow was struck byLiverpool, who lost the EFL Cup final.