Liverpool Lift Super Cup As Adrian Becomes Hero

Liverpool won their fourth Super Cup as they defeated Chelsea 5-4 on penalties after extra time ended with a 2-2 draw in Istanbul.

Newly signed goalkeeper Adrian saved Tammy Abraham’s penalty to secure the victory for Liverpool, just nine days after being signed by the football club.

It was Chelsea who scored the first goal of the final through Olivier Giroud’s opener in the 36th minute, but despite scoring the first goal neither side managed to take control the first half.

However, Jurgen Klopp’s decision to bring Alex Oxlade-Chamberlin off for Roberto Firmino paid off as the Brazilian became an instant impact and assisted Sadio Mane twice.

Throughout the game, Firmino’s ability to drop into space and thread pinpoint passes to his teammates meant he was a handful for Chelsea.

Although this did not stop Chelsea getting back into the game as Jorginho converted a spot kick after Adrian fouled Tammy Abraham in the Liverpool box.

Even though both sides had chances to put the game to bed in extra time, the match finished at 2-2 and was taken to a penalty shootout where Liverpool were victorious.

The Super Cup win comes two months since the Reds lifted their sixth Champions League trophy in a 2-0 victory over Tottenham in Madrid and only a couple of weeks apart from their Community Shield loss to Premier League Champions Manchester City who beat Liverpool, also 5-4 on penalties.

Adrian in Dreamland

In the space of nine days the Spanish goalkeeper has gone from being a free agent to debuting for one of the world’s biggest football clubs in a European final and becoming the man of the moment as he saved Abraham’s average spot kick to win the game for his side-doesn’t get any better than that right?

With Liverpool’s first choice goalkeeper Alisson out for up to 4 weeks with a calf problem, the 32-year-old had to step in as cover.

Adrian’s last start was in January for West Ham, but he had to come on against Norwich in the Premier League season opener and will be Jurgen Klopp’s main keeper now, until Alisson returns from injury.

He couldn’t do anything about Giroud’s clinical strike in the first half, and replays show their was minimal contact on Tammy Abraham which led to Stephanie Frappart awarding the penalty to the London side – a VAR check was made, however the officials must of believed her error was not clear nor obvious for the decision to be overturned.

Adrian would redeem himself after midnight as he saved a poor Chelsea penalty with his legs to win his side the match.

VAR Rethink?

VAR rules state that in order for the referee’s decision there must be a clear and obvious error in order to do so, however the replays clearly show there was not enough contact for a penalty to be given.

The game was live on BT Sport and their variety of angles available for viewers clearly identified the error and that awarding the penalty was the wrong decision, therefore do VAR rules need changing as if they have the technology to improve the game, why would you limit yourself when making important decisions?

Frappart Performs in Historic Night

French referee Stephanie Frappart impresses as she becomes the first female to referee a major European men’s match.

Throughout the match she made big calls such as the penalty decision for Chelsea and stuck by them with certainty, allowing the final to flow.

The 35-year-old ref has referee matches in the 3rd division of men’s French football and also matches in the women’s world cup that was hosted this summer in France - her performance will definitely mean more women referee’s will be selected as officials for big men’s football matches in the future.

Man of the Match- N’Golo Kante

The Frenchman was a bundle of energy all game and provided Frank Lampard’s Chelsea with the freedom to counter Liverpool with his pace going forward.

Having a player who’s happy to sit in front of his side’s back four must be a joy for his midfield partners as they watch him willingly chase down the opposition as they approach his side’s goal.

Plus, the best part of his performance was the fact he played a midweek final in a very humid Istanbul and wasn’t even fully fit.

Kante is an integral part of Chelsea’s starting eleven, but if Frank Lampard is going to be successful at his old club, he must keep playing Kante in his best position-you’d think that would be pretty straight forward…