Super Cup, Liverpool 2-2 Chelsea (5-4, pen.) Player Ratings: Mane, Adrian are Liverpool heroes as Abraham flops for Chelsea

Sadio Mane netted a fine brace, however, Giroud’s goal and Jorginho’s penalty got Chelsea close enough but substitute Tammy Abraham emerged the villain, losing his spot kick and handing Liverpool the 2019 Super Cup on an unforgettable night of football.

A thriller was served in Instabul where two goals in regulation time and a further two during extra time saw Liverpool and Chelsea finish leveled and had to be separated with spot kicks.

Penalties were needed to find a winner between the two Premier League giants as the Champions League winners and the Europa League champions battled hard to a 2-2 draw.

Soccernet x-rays how each player from both sides fared on an entertaining night in Turkey.

Chelsea, 4-2-3-1

3 – Only Barcelona and Sevilla (4 each) have been runners-up in the UEFA Super Cup more often than Chelsea (3). Blue. #LIVCHE #SuperCup

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 14, 2019

Kepa, 6.5

Was magnificient on the night, saving smartly from Salah in the first half before making an amazing double save to deny Liverpool the lead in the second half.

Emerson, 5.5

Did not settle well early and was exposed at nearly every turn by Salah. Worked decently going forward but his defensive duties left much to be desired.

Christensen, 6

Made a few interceptions and headed clearances to keep the scoreline goalless in the first 45. Allowed Firmino a yard or two that led to the equalizer.

Zouma, 6

Did better than he showed at Old Trafford and made a few important blocks. Showed a better understanding with his defensive partner and unlucky that their momentary loss of concentration led to the opponent’s equalizer.

Azpilicueta, 6.5

His experience is still indispensable as he totally pocketed Oxlade-Chamberlain the entire time the England international was on the pitch. Was tested more however when Firmino came on and Mane had to switch to his flank.

Kante, 7

Did really well as usual. Showed why he was terribly missed against Man United at the weekend. A real handful when allowed to play in his preferred position. Liverpool had no answer to his powerful bursts forward.

N’Golo Kanté stats vs Liverpool:

120 minutes played
58 passes completed
92% pass accuracy
11 duels won
8(!) dribbles completed
4 chances created
1 big chance created

Deserved a winners medal. #LIVCHE #SuperCup #NGoloStuff pic.twitter.com/9fb2vyyr4E

— – (@NGoloStuff) August 14, 2019

Jorginho, 7

Near-perfect with his passes and with a far improved performance than his last showing. Seemed to work well with Kante beside him to put in some of the leg work that he oftentimes isn’t well equipped for. Showed incredible composure to send Adrian the wrong way from the spot to bring Lampard’s men back on level terms.

Kovacic, 6

Started sluggishly as Henderson got free by taking up positions all over the pitch but the silent hardworker quickly buckled up. He mopped up loose balls and kept his passing simple to get the Blues rolling.

Pedro, 6.5

Booed early on but the forwaqd refused to be bullied. He got into good positions and tried out a few pot shots that went off targets. Lasted the whole duration but should have been taken off a long while earlier as his influence on the game waned. Had the chance to win it late on but saw his shot narrowly go wild.

Pulisic, 7

He’s no Hazard but he’s fast, tricky and has got the eye for the last pass. His assist for Giroud was so pretty it almost reminds one of the departed Hazard. Was subbed off as Liverpool gradually regained momentum.

Giroud, 7.5

Continued his European scoring form by grabbing a goal in yet another final. Aside his goal, he held the ball well upfield, made cute runs and has a thing or two more in the bag as an advantage over Tammy Abraham.

12 – Olivier Giroud has scored 12 goals in 16 appearances in European competition for @ChelseaFC, compared to just seven goals in 49 domestic games for the Blues. Continental. #SuperCup #LIVCHE pic.twitter.com/PrKlERSf1S

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 14, 2019

Sub
Mason Mount, 6
Lively when he came on. Created a couple of chances for Abraham to score which the young striker didn’t take advantage of.

Abraham, 5.5

Missed a couple of clear cut chances that could have given the team the win during extra time. Went on to lose the spot kick that gave Liverpool victory.

https://www.twitter.com/MobilePunch/status/1161756920648216576

Liverpool, 4-3-3

https://www.twitter.com/TheSporTalk/status/1161758848832679936

Adrian, 8

Stood in well for the injured Allison. He conceded but was not shabby. He could not do much about Giroud’s goal as his defence went to sleep to afford the big striker a free route to goal. Saved big from Abraham in extra time. But then didn’t think much of it as he charged without caution to concede Chelsea’s late penalty. Eventually saved Tammy Abraham’s penalty kick during the shootouts to win it for the Reds.

https://www.twitter.com/KerrySomewhere/status/1161758633279008768

Gomez, 6

He may be a fine center-half but he’s no top fullback and certainly not Alexander Arnold. The combination of Pulisic and Emerson truly troubled him, making it near impossible for him to offer any help to the forward line. Not his best game in a Reds shirt.

Van Dijk, 6.5

Another decent shift put in by the defender but was caught ball watching as Pulisic outfox them with a slide rule pass that found Giroud free and got Chelsea the opener.

https://www.twitter.com/TheSporTalk/status/1161758003865014273

Richardson, 6.5

As good going forward as he was tracking the opponent’s strikers to make last dish tackles. Easily the better defender paraded by any of the two sides.

Fabinho, 6.5

A constant presence at the centre of the park but often overwhelmed in the first half as Chelsea gained confidence and bombed forward in numbers. Had a fierce drive scream past the upright early in the second half.

Oxlade-Chamberlain, 5.5

Too quiet and a virtual onlooker as the game flowed past him. Didn’t look comfortable as an inside forward as he is as a centre midfielder. Subbed at half term and his replacement made an instant impact by assisting Liverpool’s equalizer.

Mo Salah, 6.5

Gave Emerson a tough time and tested Kepa with a sharp shot in the first 45. Was subdued as the half wore on but roared back alive as Firmino entered the fray.

Milner, 6

Was workaholic as ever and put in the shift as Chelsea took advantage of his lack of pace to get past him time and again. Was substituted barely 20minutes into the second half as Klopp sought for more intensity from his midfielders.

Henderson, 6.5

Was brilliant with his passing and positioning. He more often than not was the initiator of the Reds best moves. Popped up all over the place but was kept quiet for a while by Kovacic before the Chelsea midfielder tired out.

Sadio Mane, 8

His eye for goal helped him to be at the right place at the right time to knock home Liverpool’s leveler. He then displayed every goalscorer instincts he’s got to redirect home the goal that got Liverpool ahead during extra time. Industrious, dynamic and tireless, the Senegal international showed why he is the ideal forward for any manager.

2006 – Sadio Mané is the first African player to score in the UEFA #SuperCup since Frederic Kanoute for Sevilla vs Barcelona in 2006. Lion. #LIVCHE pic.twitter.com/794rZqY0V9

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 14, 2019

Substitute

Firmino, 7

Was introduced at the start of the second half and made an instant impact, showing a good awareness in the box and smart enough to lay the equalizer for Mane on a platter. His entry reinvigorated Liverpool’s attack.

Wijnaldum, 6

Fierce in the tackle, unstoppable when driving forward. He helped the midfield contain Chelsea in the second half as the Blues threatened to run wild.

Alexander Arnold, N/A