It was a memorable night for Liverpool after they overcame English rivals Chelsea on penalties in the UEFA Super Cup, to evoke memories of their historic Champions League win in 2005 in Istanbul. The Super Cup pits the reigning UEFA Champions League and Europa League champions. After a fast start from both teams, Chelsea winger Pedro smashed a strike against the woodwork. Chelsea proved to be the better team as the game went on, particularly Ngolo Kante who ran the show in midfield, despite being half fit. The Blues took the lead through Olivier Giroud after an incisive Christian Pulisic pass in the first half.
Liverpool came out firing after half time and leveled the scores through forward Sadio Mane, who had just returned to the starting line up after his excursions with Senegal in the Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt. As the second half wore on, Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga pulled off an incredible double save with the scores locked at 1-1. Midfielder Mason Mount thought he had scored the winner for Chelsea with a clinical finish but his goal was ruled out as offside.
The match went to extra-time and it was Liverpool who took the lead courtesy of an emphatic finish by Mane but Chelsea hit back immediately from the spot through Jorginho after Tammy Abraham was fouled in the box. The duel went to post match penalties where Tammy Abraham’s spot-kick was saved by stand-in goalkeeper Adrian, the penultimate spot kick, granting the Reds a 5-4 penalty triumph.