Football Features

    Every player rated as Liverpool beat Chelsea on penalties to win 2019 Uefa Super Cup

    By Harry Edwards

    Published: 22:46, 14 August 2019

    Liverpool won the Uefa Super Cup for the fourth time after beating Chelsea 5-4 on penalties following a 2-2 draw in Istanbul.

    Olivier Giroud gave Chelsea a first-half lead before Sadio Mane equalised just after the break. Mane got his second of the game in the opening stages of extra-time but Jorginho drew Chelsea level shortly after from the penalty spot to take the game to penalties.

    The first nine takers all scored in the shootout before Adrian saved from Tammy Abraham to win the cup for Liverpool.

    Here’s how the players rated.

    Liverpool

    Adrian – 7 – Making his first competitive start for Liverpool, Adrian reminded doubters what he can do, brilliantly picking the ball from the feet of Kovacic who looked set to round him and score. Beaten by a good Giroud finish. Produced a good save to deny Abraham in extra-time but quickly undid that work in conceding a penalty. Won the cup for Liverpool with the deciding penalty save from Abraham.

    Joe Gomez – 7 – Chelsea enjoyed a lot of their attacking play down his flank but Gomez provided good cover when required. Switched over to left-back for extra-time and did his job well.

    Joel Matip – 8 – Despite Liverpool conceding in the first half, Matip asserted his authority and was the best centre-back of the opening 45. Strong in the tackle, the Cameroon international gave Pulisic a tough battle.

    Virgil van Dijk – 7 – Slightly overshadowed by his partner, but Van Dijk was his usual composed self, proving himself practically unbeatable.

    Andrew Robertson – 7 – Although not as attacking as normal, Robertson was excellent defensively, stopping Pedro from having a shot in the first half when the Spaniard was played into a good position.

    Fabinho – 7 – Helped Liverpool control possession early on but let the game slip a bit. Probably should have done better to stop Kante and then Pulisic’s in the build up to Chelsea’s goal. Came out after half-time on top, playing a nice ball into Firmino. Suffering with cramp at full-time but scored his penalty.

    Jordan Henderson – 7 – Got forward a lot and put some dangerous crosses into the box, but was missing a target man on the end of them.

    James Milner – 5 – Had a fairly quiet game even as Liverpool started to take some control. His game will be remembered by Kante nutmegging him on the right flank.

    Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – 6 – A promising first half which could have brought an assist after a good pass to Salah. Perhaps slightly wasted on the wing.

    Mohamed Salah – 7 – Would have been expected to give Liverpool the lead when played through on goal, but his shot was saved by Arrizabalaga. His performance upped with the arrival of Firmino and at times he looked like the one to drag Liverpool to the win. Scored his penalty.

    Sadio Mane – 9 – Liverpool’s biggest attacking threat, the forward had a few different shots in the first half, with varying luck. But he was quick to equalise after the break, understanding the intentions of Firmino. Gave Liverpool the lead with a well-placed finish in extra-time but was taken off as Klopp looked for fresh legs.

    Substitutes:

    Roberto Firmino (for Oxlade-Chamberlain 45) – 8 – Immediately caused Chelsea problems after coming on from the bench, breaking through on goal before playing in Mane. Continued to be a pain for the Chelsea back-line and found Mane well once more for Liverpool’s second. Scored in the shootout.

    Georginio Wijnaldum (for Milner 64) – 6 – His arrival helped Liverpool in the midfield, though the fast-paced game did pass him by slightly.

    Trent Alexander-Arnold (for Robertson 90) – 6 – Had his work cut out for him in extra-time with Mount looking to impress. Scored from the spot.

    Divock Origi (for Mane 103) – 6 – Tried to get Liverpool going with his energy but his team-mates were too tired to help. Just about scored his penalty.

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    Chelsea

    Kepa Arrizabalaga – 7 – Produced a couple of straightforward saves at the start but got down well to deny Salah when the Egyptian looked likely to score. Perhaps could have been quicker off his line to challenge Firmino but made up for it with a wonderful save to deny Van Dijk. Should have done better in the shootout, getting hands on two penalties.

    Cesar Azpilicueta – 5 – The Spaniard gave Robertson and Oxlade-Chamberlain very little luck in the first half, but was too slow in pushing up and played Firmino onside in the build up to Liverpool’s equaliser. Once again let Firmino to get the better of him down his flank in the build up to the winner.

    Andreas Christensen – 7 – Solid at the back and produced a good defensive diving header to prevent a cross reaching Mane. Looked a bit shaky with Firmino on but continued to defend well.

    Kurt Zouma – 6 – Had a good first half, off the back of his shaky Old Trafford performance but had problems after Firmino came on. Played the Brazilian onside as he set up Mane’s second but did improve thereafter.

    Emerson – 7 – Had a strong game in both defence at attack, giving Gomez and then Alexander-Arnold something to think about. Drilled his penalty in.

    Mateo Kovacic – 7 – Was a bit sloppy in possession at times but did show what he is capable of with good passes and a run which could have seen him end his goal drought.

    Jorginho – 7 – Put himself about at the base of the midfield and looked as composed as ever on the ball. Showed nerves of steel to equalise for Chelsea from the penalty spot, striking home with his trademark hop. Replicated it in the shootout.

    N’Golo Kante – 9 – Boy how Chelsea have missed Kante. The Frenchman was sweeping up in midfield from the start and at times there appeared to be more than one of him. Played his part in Chelsea’s goal with a good run through midfield before setting off Pulisic.

    Pedro – 7 – Looked dangerous in the first half, hitting the crossbar from a wide angle crossbar from wide angle before playing in a good pass for Kovacic.

    Olivier Giroud – 8 – In for Tammy Abraham, the Frenchman made a good case to be Chelsea’s starting striker, linking up with his fellow attackers. Opened the scoring with a well-taken first-time finish across Adrian.

    Christian Pulisic – 8 – Looked to get at Gomez and Matip with his pace from the off and caused some problems. Got a deserved assist with an inch-perfect pass through defence and unfortunate to see a good goal disallowed for offside, albeit a correct decision.

    Substitutes:

    Tammy Abraham (for Giroud 74) – 5 – Brought on with Giroud tiring, the Englishman didn’t seem to have the same impact as the man he replaced. Went close to scoring in the first half of extra-time but his touch on Pedro’s cross was just too soft. Missed the deciding penalty.

    Mason Mount (for Pulisic 74) – 7 – Caused the Liverpool defenders some problems and thought he had won the game but his well-taken finish was ruled out for offside. Scored from the spot.

    Fikayo Tomori (for Christensen 84) – 6 – Produced a good performance in replacing Christensen.

    Ross Barkley (for Kovacic 101) – 6 – Did not have too much impact on the game as both teams’ play slowed down. Scored in the shootout.

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