Klopp hails his ‘mentality monsters’

LIVERPOOL boss Jurgen Klopp hailed the character of his players after emerging victorious in another penalty shoot-out against Chelsea.

The Reds prevailed over the same opponents in this year’s Carabao Cup final at Wembley and Klopp’s side repeated the feat, with left-back Kostas Tsimikas proving to be the hero.

‘It was an incredible, intense game against Chelsea — they would have deserved it (the win) exactly the same way, like in the Carabao Cup — that’s how small the margins are,’ said Klopp.

‘I couldn’t be more proud of my boys, the shift they put in. In the penalty shootout, it was nerve-racking, my nails are gone but I really feel for Chelsea — for the second time, 120 minutes and you get nothing.

‘We are mentality monsters but there were mentality monsters in blue as well — it was one penalty. Chelsea played outstandingly, but in the end there must be one winner and that was us today.’

Liverpool penalty hero Tsimikas revealed that he had requested to be the seventh taker at Wembley — and it turned out to be his lucky number as he struck the kick that won his side the FA Cup.

Tsimikas has never scored a senior goal for Liverpool but the left-back took his opportunity after replacing Scotland captain Andy Robertson late on to beat Edouard Mendy from the spot and seal a 6-5 win in the shoot-out.

‘It’s very special,’ said Tsimikas. ‘The manager asked me which number I wanted and I said seven. It gave me the opportunity to win the game. I choose the right side and I scored and I am happy.’

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson had given

Tsimikas his match-winning strike by saving Mason Mount’s previous kick with a brilliant dive to his left.

‘It was good, hey!’ smiled the Reds No1. ‘The goalkeeper coaches helped me with my decisions. Chelsea did really well but we deserved to win this.

‘This gives us more confidence in the Premier League and also the Champions League final. It’s a fantastic moment now, we just need to enjoy it.’

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel said: ‘Like the Carabao Cup final, I have no regrets.

‘We were competitive after the first 15 minutes, excellent. In 240 minutes of two finals we have been zero-zero against the most dangerous attacking team in the world. We are sad, but at the same time we were proud.

‘I was sure we would win right up to the last minute but unfortunately I was not right. That is life in sport.’