• Liverpool's Jordan Henderson lifts the League Cup trophy after defeating Chelsea in a penalty shoot-out at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, February 27, 2022. Reuters
    Liverpool's Jordan Henderson lifts the League Cup trophy after defeating Chelsea in a penalty shoot-out at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, February 27, 2022. Reuters
  • Chelsea's Kepa Arrizabalaga is consoled by teammates after the match. Reuters
    Chelsea's Kepa Arrizabalaga is consoled by teammates after the match. Reuters
  • Caoimhin Kelleher of Liverpool lifts the Carabao Cup trophy. Getty
    Caoimhin Kelleher of Liverpool lifts the Carabao Cup trophy. Getty
  • Liverpool's Diogo Jota, Caoimhin Kelleher, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Andrew Robertson and Ibrahima Konate celebrate after winning the penalty shoot-out in the League Cup final against Liverpool. Reuters
    Liverpool's Diogo Jota, Caoimhin Kelleher, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Andrew Robertson and Ibrahima Konate celebrate after winning the penalty shoot-out in the League Cup final against Liverpool. Reuters
  • Liverpool players celebrate after victory in the penalty shoot-out in the League Cup final against Chelsea at the Wembley Stadium. Getty
    Liverpool players celebrate after victory in the penalty shoot-out in the League Cup final against Chelsea at the Wembley Stadium. Getty
  • Caoimhin Kelleher of Liverpool scores his team's eleventh penalty in the shoot-out. Getty
    Caoimhin Kelleher of Liverpool scores his team's eleventh penalty in the shoot-out. Getty
  • Chelsea's Kepa Arrizabalaga, centre, comes on to replace Edouard Mendy. AFP
    Chelsea's Kepa Arrizabalaga, centre, comes on to replace Edouard Mendy. AFP
  • Chelsea's Romelu Lukaku reacts after scoring in the shoot-out. Reuters
    Chelsea's Romelu Lukaku reacts after scoring in the shoot-out. Reuters
  • Ngolo Kante of Chelsea fouls Andrew Robertson of Liverpool during the League Cup final. Getty
    Ngolo Kante of Chelsea fouls Andrew Robertson of Liverpool during the League Cup final. Getty
  • Chelsea's German striker Timo Werner scores but the goal is ruled offside during the League Cup final at Wembley Stadium. AFP
    Chelsea's German striker Timo Werner scores but the goal is ruled offside during the League Cup final at Wembley Stadium. AFP
  • Referee Stuart Attwell shows the yellow card to Mateo Kovacic of Chelsea on Sunday. EPA
    Referee Stuart Attwell shows the yellow card to Mateo Kovacic of Chelsea on Sunday. EPA
  • Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp during the final. AFP
    Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp during the final. AFP
  • English referee Stuart Attwell checks the pitch-side monitor after being advised of a foul by VAR, before disallowing a goal from Liverpool's Joel Matip. AFP
    English referee Stuart Attwell checks the pitch-side monitor after being advised of a foul by VAR, before disallowing a goal from Liverpool's Joel Matip. AFP
  • Chelsea's Kai Havertz has a shot on goal during the League Cup final at Wembley Stadium. PA
    Chelsea's Kai Havertz has a shot on goal during the League Cup final at Wembley Stadium. PA
  • Liverpool's Fabinho reacts during the League Cup final. PA
    Liverpool's Fabinho reacts during the League Cup final. PA
  • Liverpool's Joel Matip celebrates with his team-mates after scoring, before it was later disallowed. PA
    Liverpool's Joel Matip celebrates with his team-mates after scoring, before it was later disallowed. PA

Liverpool win dramatic League Cup final after Tuchel’s Kepa gamble backfires


Richard Jolly
  • English
  • Arabic

Kepa Arrizabalaga’s reputation as the penalty shootout specialist may not survive this. Brought on after 119 minutes, he failed to save any of Liverpool’s 11 spot kicks and then ballooned his over the bar. Liverpool’s record ninth League Cup came in remarkable fashion, after a shootout when no one saved a penalty but when Thomas Tuchel’s gamble backfired.

He had removed the man of the match to bring on Arrizabalaga, who infamously refused to be substituted for the shootout in the 2019 final. The Spaniard had been the European Super Cup hero, but this brought an exhibition of superb penalty taking, whether from regulars like James Milner to Liverpool’s reserve goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher. And when Arrizabalaga missed, Liverpool won a domestic cup for the first time in a decade.

But it required a marathon. As two Premier League draws between them demonstrated, very little separates evenly-matched teams. Both teams had a goal chalked off; three, in Chelsea’s case. Both were denied by fine goalkeeping. Both had periods where they were on top. It contrived to be hugely eventful and yet goalless. It was an epic in every other respect.

Profligacy was a problem for Chelsea. Kai Havertz kept fashioning opportunities. His team-mates kept missing them. So often the big-game scorer, when Havertz did head in a Timo Werner cross, his supplier was offside. When he arrowed a shot in, he was offside. Yet Havertz’s elusiveness and excellence indicated why the false nine was preferred to Romelu Lukaku.

They encountered resistance in the form of an understudy. Klopp had promised that Kelleher would start, was true to his word and soon had early vindication.

A message showing support for Ukraine ahead of the League Cup final at Wembley Stadium. PA
A message showing support for Ukraine ahead of the League Cup final at Wembley Stadium. PA

Picked out by Havertz, Cesar Azpilicueta slid in a low cross and Christian Pulisic met it with a close-range shot. Kelleher saved. Havertz’s influence was a constant and he crossed when an unmarked Mason Mount volleyed wide just before half-time.

It was one of two glaring misses by the Englishman, who rolled a shot against the post when Pulisic sprang Liverpool’s offside trap with a chipped pass. It had Tuchel slapping the ground in frustration and was a reminder that Chelsea’s attackers score too few goals.

In this case, however, Kelleher was a factor. When Lukaku came off the bench, his injury-time effort was superbly repelled by the young Irishman at his near post. When he did bury a shot past Kelleher in extra time, he was marginally offside.

Liverpool’s plans had been disrupted when they lost Thiago in the warm-up and perhaps that accounted for a slow start. When they did assume the initiative, Thiago’s replacement drew the first of a double save.

Mendy’s second stop from Sadio Mane was outstanding. It brought a different kind of managerial vindication over a goalkeeping decision: Tuchel had sprung a surprise by picking his first choice.

When Mendy did err, with a poor kick, Thiago Silva came to his rescue, the 37-year-old retreating to clear Mohamed Salah’s shot off the line after Sadio Mane had released the Egyptian and he had dinked a shot over the goalkeeper.

Otherwise, Mendy was outstanding. Luis Diaz was menacing and impressive and also came close to scoring, escaping in behind Chelsea’s defence to have a shot Mendy blocked. Factor in a stop from Andy Robertson and a last-minute block from Virgil van Dijk’s header and it amounted to a terrific display of defiance.

When he was beaten, VAR came to Chelsea’s rescue. Trent Alexander-Arnold took a free kick for set-piece specialists, Mane headed it across the box and Joel Matip applied the finishing touch. It was chalked off because Van Dijk, who had blocked off Reece James, was offside. It was the story of the game but Arrizabalaga was the story of the shootout.

SPECS
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The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Part three: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

Semi-final fixtures

Portugal v Chile, 7pm, today

Germany v Mexico, 7pm, tomorrow

UAE players with central contracts

Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Chirag Suri, Rameez Shahzad, Shaiman Anwar, Adnan Mufti, Mohammed Usman, Ghulam Shabbir, Ahmed Raza, Qadeer Ahmed, Amir Hayat, Mohammed Naveed and Imran Haider.

Boulder shooting victims

• Denny Strong, 20
• Neven Stanisic, 23
• Rikki Olds, 25
• Tralona Bartkowiak, 49
• Suzanne Fountain, 59
• Teri Leiker, 51
• Eric Talley, 51
• Kevin Mahoney, 61
• Lynn Murray, 62
• Jody Waters, 65

Terror attacks in Paris, November 13, 2015

- At 9.16pm, three suicide attackers killed one person outside the Atade de France during a foootball match between France and Germany- At 9.25pm, three attackers opened fire on restaurants and cafes over 20 minutes, killing 39 people- Shortly after 9.40pm, three other attackers launched a three-hour raid on the Bataclan, in which 1,500 people had gathered to watch a rock concert. In total, 90 people were killed- Salah Abdeslam, the only survivor of the terrorists, did not directly participate in the attacks, thought to be due to a technical glitch in his suicide vest- He fled to Belgium and was involved in attacks on Brussels in March 2016. He is serving a life sentence in France

Sarfira

Director: Sudha Kongara Prasad

Starring: Akshay Kumar, Radhika Madan, Paresh Rawal 

Rating: 2/5

Tips to keep your car cool
  • Place a sun reflector in your windshield when not driving
  • Park in shaded or covered areas
  • Add tint to windows
  • Wrap your car to change the exterior colour
  • Pick light interiors - choose colours such as beige and cream for seats and dashboard furniture
  • Avoid leather interiors as these absorb more heat
Specs

Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric

Range: Up to 610km

Power: 905hp

Torque: 985Nm

Price: From Dh439,000

Available: Now

This is an info box
  • info goes here
  • and here
  • and here

Correspondents

By Tim Murphy

(Grove Press)

The specs

Engine: 3.8-litre V6

Power: 295hp at 6,000rpm

Torque: 355Nm at 5,200rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 10.7L/100km

Price: Dh179,999-plus

On sale: now 

The nine articles of the 50-Year Charter

1. Dubai silk road

2.  A geo-economic map for Dubai

3. First virtual commercial city

4. A central education file for every citizen

5. A doctor to every citizen

6. Free economic and creative zones in universities

7. Self-sufficiency in Dubai homes

8. Co-operative companies in various sectors

­9: Annual growth in philanthropy

The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%201.8-litre%204-cyl%20turbo%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E190hp%20at%205%2C200rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20320Nm%20from%201%2C800-5%2C000rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeven-speed%20dual-clutch%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%206.7L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh111%2C195%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogenChromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxideUltramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica contentOphiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on landOlivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour

VEZEETA PROFILE

Date started: 2012

Founder: Amir Barsoum

Based: Dubai, UAE

Sector: HealthTech / MedTech

Size: 300 employees

Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)

Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC

HOW TO WATCH

Facebook: TheNationalNews 

Twitter: @thenationalnews 

Instagram: @thenationalnews.com 

TikTok: @thenationalnews   

'Munich: The Edge of War'

Director: Christian Schwochow

Starring: George MacKay, Jannis Niewohner, Jeremy Irons

Rating: 3/5

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh117,059

Where to submit a sample

Volunteers of all ages can submit DNA samples at centres across Abu Dhabi, including: Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec), Biogenix Labs in Masdar City, NMC Royal Hospital in Khalifa City, NMC Royal Medical Centre, Abu Dhabi, NMC Royal Women's Hospital, Bareen International Hospital, Al Towayya in Al Ain, NMC Specialty Hospital, Al Ain

Key findings of Jenkins report
  • Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
  • Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
  • Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
  • Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
How to turn your property into a holiday home
  1. Ensure decoration and styling – and portal photography – quality is high to achieve maximum rates.
  2. Research equivalent Airbnb homes in your location to ensure competitiveness.
  3. Post on all relevant platforms to reach the widest audience; whether you let personally or via an agency know your potential guest profile – aiming for the wrong demographic may leave your property empty.
  4. Factor in costs when working out if holiday letting is beneficial. The annual DCTM fee runs from Dh370 for a one-bedroom flat to Dh1,200. Tourism tax is Dh10-15 per bedroom, per night.
  5. Check your management company has a physical office, a valid DTCM licence and is licencing your property and paying tourism taxes. For transparency, regularly view your booking calendar.
While you're here
Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club race card

5pm: Abu Dhabi Fillies Classic (PA) Prestige; Dh110,000; 1,400m
5.30pm: Abu Dhabi Colts Classic (PA) Prestige; Dh110,000; 1,400m
6pm: Maiden (PA); Dh80,000; 1,600m
6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Championship (PA) Listed; Dh180,000; 1,600m
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) Handicap; Dh70,000; 2,200m
7.30pm: Handicap (PA); Dh100,000; 2,400m

About Okadoc

Date started: Okadoc, 2018

Founder/CEO: Fodhil Benturquia

Based: Dubai, UAE

Sector: Healthcare

Size: (employees/revenue) 40 staff; undisclosed revenues recording “double-digit” monthly growth

Funding stage: Series B fundraising round to conclude in February

Investors: Undisclosed

Updated: February 28, 2022, 6:17 AM