Kepa responded on social media after his costly missed penalty
Kepa Arrizabalaga and Carabao Cup final penalty shootouts really don’t mix.
Yet again at Wembley on Sunday afternoon, he was the one making headlines after Liverpool beat Chelsea on penalties.
The circumstances were slightly different this time around. After famously refusing Maurizio Sarri’s orders to come off for Willy Caballero with spot-kicks looming in the 2019 final against Manchester City, on this occasion he was brought on specifically for the shootout.
Kepa is very much deputy to Edouard Mendy these days, but was given the nod by Thomas Tuchel to replace him in the Chelsea goal as the end of extra-time approached. It was a chance to be the hero, to lay to rest ghost of 2019…
Yet again, though, things didn’t go to plan. Having failed to save any of Liverpool’s 11 penalties, Kepa ballooned his own high over the crossbar to hand Jurgen Klopp’s side the trophy.
Understandably, it was a tough one to take for Kepa, who was consoled by teammates and Chelsea staff on the pitch in the aftermath.
While few would have blamed him for lying low for a few days, Kepa did break his silence – if only on social media – soon afterwards, thanking the Chelsea family for their support. Tweeting a picture showing him being comforted by his teammates, he said:
“To fall and rise. Disappointed after big effort during the tournament. We keep working.
“Thanks @chelseafc family for your support.”
To fall and rise.
Disappointed after big effort during the tournament.
We keep working.
Thanks @chelseafc family for your support. pic.twitter.com/yu2FkZlG4h— Kepa Arrizabalaga (@kepa_46) February 27, 2022
Chelsea’s defeat capped an eventful week for the club, coming barely 24 hours after owner Roman Abramovich had announced he was handing over the stewardship and care of Chelsea to trustees of its charitable foundation.
The move comes with scrutiny over his links to Vladimir Putin, who approved Russia’s invasion of Ukraine earlier in the week.
Related links:
- Gary Neville slams ‘cowardly’ Roman Abramovich for Chelsea statement
- Abramovich to remain Chelsea owner, despite handing over stewardship and care to trustees
- Liverpool win Carabao Cup after dramatic penalty shootout victory over Chelsea
