Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel’s classy message to Kepa Arrizabalaga after Carabao Cup defeat

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel maintains goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga is one of the best goalkeepers in the world, despite his blazing kick which cost the Blues the Carabao Cup at Wembley.

Chelsea had three goals ruled out for offside, and Liverpool had one ruled out too but it came down to the decisive penalty shoot-out.

Kepa had been brought on late as a penalty expert, but he was unable to stop any of the Reds’ 11 spot kicks and skied his to hand Liverpool their first domestic trophy of the season.

Thomas Tuchel’s side largely created the best chances in the game, even though there were moments that the Blues had to be bailed out by goalkeeper Edouard Mendy who had a brilliant game.

With the game poised and heading to penalty shoot-out, Kepa was brought on by his manager in the 119th minute, and he ended being the only one who missed, handing Liverpool a 11-10 victory from the spot.

That was Chelsea’s fourth penalty shoot-out of the season, and the Spanish goalkeeper had been the hero of their previous three victories, but tonight it wasn’t to be.

After the game, Tuchel said he would make the same call again if he had the chance as the goalkeeper is one of the best from the spot and trains hard for them.

The German said: “I feel bad for him, but no blame, we took the decision like we did the last time and he has been training with the players for penalty kicks.

“He has more time to train for them than Edu, because Edu is always playing, but the penalties were very good today.

“There is no blame.

“I take the decision when I would retake them, and we all don’t know what would have happened if we had Edu on the pitch.

“Edu also made a decisive mistake, and we all make mistakes, so I repeat if there is any blame it’s on me and no one else as I took the decision.

“If there is any blame it’s on me because I made the decision and have no regrets and I take responsibility for that.”

The Blues will now turn attention to the Luton in the FA Cup in midweek before Premier League games against Burnley and Newcastle follow swiftly after.