Things got heated between former Liverpool teammates Jamie Carragher and Jamie Redknapp as they debated the decision to bring on Kepa Arrizabalaga during the Carabao Cup final.
In the 119th minute, Thomas Tuchel decided to replace Edouard Mendy ahead of Sunday's shoot-out against Liverpool and bring on 'penalty specialist' Arrizabalaga - a goalkeeper with the most penalty shootout saves in Chelsea history.
Despite his impressive record when it comes to penalties, the 27-year-old didn't save a single shot against Jurgen Klopp's side. In fact, he went on to miss the decisive spot-kick as Liverpool picked up their first silverware of the season.
After the full-time whistle, Sky pundit and former Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp criticised the decision to bring on Kepa for Mendy, who was arguably one of Chelsea's best performers on the day.
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"I don't like it, I think it is rubbish," Redknapp claimed. "Mendy is likely to save them, he is one of the best keepers in the world. I hope it puts it to bed now.
"I don't think it works and it is a rubbish idea. I didn't like his [Kepa] behaviour all the way through it. I think it is a case of being too clever for your own good. You're complicating it.
"He [Mendy] is a bigger keeper and there is no reason why they couldn't have won it if they had Mendy in goal."
Jamie Carragher went on to remind Redknapp of Kepa's previous penalty shoot-out heroics.
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"We shouldn't forget that was the decision he made in the Super Cup final," Carragher said. "Kepa came on and they won that game. I think Chelsea have won two shootouts on their way to this final - and this is Kepa's competition.
"There is a method behind it and you also have the psychological side of things, where you bring a keeper on from the bench and how it affects the opposition.
"That wasn't the case and the penalties were fantastic from all players."
The argument continued. "He [Kepa] didn't get near a penalty, not even close," Redknapp hit back.
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"Anyone can miss a penalty, but it just doesn't make sense to me. He is not a good enough keeper to put all your eggs in that basket."
"I never said that," Carragher hit back. "There's no way a manager make a decision that would give him less chance of winning. They have had success doing that. Who knows what would have happened.
"What I'm saying is, Tuchel has taken that decision before and they won the Super Cup."
Thoughts on Tuchel's decision to bring on Kepa in the final minutes?
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Let us know in the comments.
Featured Image Credit: Sky FootballTopics:ย Jamie Carragher, Jamie Redknapp, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Edouard Mendy, Chelsea, Liverpool, Carabao Cup
