Chelsea-Liverpool: Van Dijk as boss, Chelsea cracked... the tops and the flops

TOPS

Virgil Van Dijk delivered an XXL performance during this Cup final against Chelsea (1-0). Konaté was also essential in the victory of the Reds, being imperial in his area. The Franco-Dutch duo played a serious game against the unleashed Blues attackers. Konaté took care of the Jackson case, and when Nkunku replaced him, he was heckled between the two colossi, like the decisive intervention of the French defender in the 92nd minute. Liberation came from his captain. Refused by the VAR in the 60th minute, “VVD” delivered his own at the end of extra time with an angry header (118th). Sometimes the best offense is defense.

In a final where both goalkeepers were excellent, one inevitably ends up more unhappy than the other. This Sunday was that of the Blues. Petrovic, however, delayed the deadline for as long as possible with parades and tap dances of all kinds, on Elliott's point-blank header for example (115th). Kelleher was also monstrous, face-to-face with Gallagher (85th), or on Nkunku (92nd). The two usual understudies have shown that their role as number 2 needs to be reviewed. For Kelleher, it seems that Alisson is untouchable, but regarding Petrovic, Sanchez recruited this summer is in an ejection seat.

Last January, Jürgen Klopp decided to leave the club after 9 years on the Reds bench. So since this announcement, his men have all gotten in tune and done their best to offer him the most beautiful farewell. 1st in the league, qualified in the FA Cup and the Europa League, and this Sunday there was the first “farewell” meeting of the German coach. Mission successful, and Liverpool whet their appetite by pocketing trophy number 1 of the last season of “Normal One”. Proof of this is the dedication of his players, they chose to lift the cup with him. A magnificent symbol for a special coach.

FLOPS

Placed at the forefront of the attack alongside Sterling and Palmer, the Senegalese was not up to the challenge proposed by Van Dijk and Konaté. Despite his speed and the spaces left behind the Reds' defense, Nicolas Jackson was unable to hurt where he needed to. As in the 86th minute, when he had a boulevard in front of him and Konaté was in his mirrors, he got confused and was caught by the patrol even though he had the match ball at his feet. The rest of the game he spent behind the backs of the colossi Van Dijk and Konaté.

The Blues defense is not impervious. But until the 119th minute they held on, thanks to several interventions at the last minute from their centrals Disasi and Colwill, and especially from their goalkeeper Petrovic. Despite the constant fire in their area, they only had to take the Reds to penalties to hope to bring them down. But at the end, and when they were warned in the 60th, Disasi let go of Van Dijk's marking from a corner, Mudryk was the spectator. On this detail, a European qualification which they so badly needed came into play. For now, Chelsea will always walk alone.