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| Sadio Mane |
Champions League winners Liverpool edged Europa League winners Chelsea 5-4 on penalties on Wednesday night to claim the UEFA Super Cup after a closely contested match ended 2-2 after extra time.
Copyright Steve Haag Sport Hollywoodbets
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Liverpool were rated as the pre-match favourites after thrashing Norwich 4-1 in their Premier League opener, while Chelsea went down 4-0 at Manchester United, but there was little to separate the two sides in Istanbul on Wednesday.
Liverpool created the first meaningful chance as Mohamed Salah forced a save from Kepa.
The Reds then had two opportunities from corners but Virgil van Dijk headed over, and then Sadio Mane found himself unmarked at the back +post but saw his effort saved after a touch off Joel Matip took the pace off the ball.
Chelsea struck first however, with Olivier Giroud slotting the ball under Liverpool keeper Adrian’s legs after being picked out by Christian Pulisic following good work from N’Golo Kante.
The Blues thought they had doubled their lead before the break after Pulisic placed the ball into the bottom corner but the strike was ruled out for offside.
Liverpool drew level soon after the restart when Fabinho found substitute Roberto Firmino. Firmino beat Kepa to the ball and flicked it to Mane, who placed the ball into the net.
Pulisic was a constant threat for Chelsea and he saw an effort blocked by Joe Gomez on 65 minutes.
The Blues saw a second goal chalked off when Mason Mount struck the ball into the far corner after being picked out by Jorginho but the youngster was offside.
In extra time Liverpool created the first chance as Gomez found some space but Kepa was equal to his effort.
The Anfield outfit did strike first on 95 minutes as Firmino and Mane combined, with the latter finding the back of the net.
Chelsea levelled via the penalty spot when Adrian was judged to have brought down Tammy Abraham. Replays suggested contact was minimal but the on-field decision wasn’t overruled by VAR and Jorginho stepped up to coolly slot the ball beyond Adrian.
The Londoners looked the more likely in the closing stages as both sides began to tire. Mount forced a one-handed save from Adrian after an Abraham lay-off, with Cesar Azpilicueta firing wide soon after, but neither side could find a winner and penalties were required.
Liverpool claimed the trophy with a 5-4 victory in the shootout as Chelsea’s fifth penalty taker Abraham saw his spot kick saved by the legs of Adrian.
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