Alisson's Clever Tactic Ensured Edouard Mendy Couldn't Repeat Penalty Shootout Antics In FA Cup Final
Liverpool claimed their second trophy of the season after beating Chelsea on penalties at Wembley.
Rory O'Callaghan
Alisson hand delivered the ball to each of his Liverpool teammates to prevent Edouard Mendy from playing mind games in the FA Cup final penalty shootout.
Liverpool won their second major trophy of the season by beating Chelsea on penalties at Wembley on Saturday after the final had ended goalless.
Alisson produced a brilliant save to deny Mason Mount in the shootout before Kostas Tsimikas sealed a 6-5 win for Liverpool.
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It was a repeat of the Carabao Cup final from earlier this season, when Liverpool also beat Chelsea on penalties after a goalless match.
Throughout the shootout on Saturday, Alisson made sure to retrieve the ball after each Chelsea penalty in order to hand it to his Liverpool teammate who was taking the next spot kick.
This prevented Chelsea goalkeeper Mendy from attempting to play mind games with the opposing penalty takers, as he had done in Senegal's shootout victory over Egypt in the Africa Cup Of Nations final in February.
During that particular shootout, Mendy made sure to hand the ball directly the Egypt players before taking his time to get back on his line.
The tactic worked, as Senegal won 4-2 on penalties – with Liverpool forward Sadio Mane scoring the winning spot kick.
Mendy was unable to attempt the same tactic at Wembley due to Alisson's actions, with Mane the only Liverpool player to miss a penalty in the shootout.
Speaking after the victory, Alisson told the BBC: "It's amazing, we did such a good performance.
"It was a shame we didn't score. It was a proper fight, we kept a clean sheet, and then afterwards the boys were unbelievable scoring the goals. I just had to save the last one.
"I am so happy. Myself and also Mendy did amazing saves. I couldn't have done the saves without the help of the team.
"They work well and make it easier for me."
Alisson has now won the Champions League, Premier League, Club World Cup, FA Cup and Carabao Cup with Liverpool in just four seasons at Anfield.
He could end the season with yet more silverware, with Liverpool currently three points behind Premier League leaders Manchester City with two games remaining in the season.
Jurgen Klopp's side are also through to the Champions League final, where they will face Real Madrid in Paris on May 28.