Bend Chelsea, Liverpool Win European Super Cup

DBasia.news –  Liverpool successfully won the European Super Cup title, the Reds second trophy under the tutelage of Jurgen Klopp. Liverpool defeated Chelsea via the penalty shootout.

Taking place at the Vodafone Arena, Istanbul, Thursday (8/15) early morning Western Indonesian Time, the game ended in a 2-2 draw and continued to the shootout. Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham is the only penalty executor who has failed to complete his work well. 

The kick from the young striker from England was pushed over by Liverpool’s new goalkeeper, Adrian, who was appointed as the main goalkeeper because of Alisson Becker’s injury. Adrian, along with his compatriot under the Chelsea crossbar, Kepa Arrizabalaga, performed well in this match.

Liverpool, without Alisson, go down with the best players. Only Roberto Firmino did not start as a starter on the front lines, while two of his colleagues up front, Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah, immediately dropped from the start of the fight.

Meanwhile, Chelsea changed the composition of players from the team that lost 0-4 to Manchester United last weekend in the Premier League. This time, Frank Lampard fielded N’Golo Kante and Olivier Giroud from the start.

The result is positive for the Blues. They made it difficult for Liverpool to develop the game in the first round. One-two pass games, a quick counter-attack when winning the ball, and the movement without a good ball, making Liverpool inconvenience.

Chelsea stole the lead in minute 36. Giroud received Christian Pulisic’s first assist for Chelsea in minute 36, then converted it into a goal. Chelsea won 1-0 in the first half and was quite troublesome for the Liverpool defense.

The situation changed in the second half. The entry of Firmino to replace Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain directly had a positive impact on Liverpool.

Firmino gave an assist on minute 48 to Mane. The ball was pushed over Kepa, but, kicking Mane had first hit the ball and finished with a goal.

The match then runs tight for up to 90 minutes. Chelsea and Liverpool took turns attacking, although, at the beginning of the second half, Liverpool had more initiative to launch attacks and made it difficult for Chelsea to build attacks.

Draw 1-1 in normal time, the game continued to an additional round. In the extra round or rather the 95th minute, Mane scored again in this match by utilizing Chelsea’s negligence in the backline.

The Senegalese wing forward was given too much space so he could have the time to put the ball in the top left side of the Chelsea goal. 2-1 Liverpool turn superior. Giving up Chelsea? Not really.

The drama occurred at minute 101. Tammy Abraham, who was played by Lampard replaces Giroud, Adrian dropped in the forbidden box and bear a penalty for Chelsea. Jorginho quietly executes the penalty. 2-2 last until the extra round ends.

In the penalty shootout, nine executors (from Chelsea and Liverpool) did a good job. Abraham became the last executor of Chelsea and could not withstand the pressure because he would be the winner of this fight.

The striker, who was on loan at Aston Villa last season, failed to score and kicked the ball by Adrian. Liverpool won the 2019 European Super Cup and Adrian became a hero in Istanbul.  

The night of miracles in Istanbul happened again. Adrian became the hero this time. 14 years ago, Rafael Benitez’s Liverpool won the Champions League.