Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher stole the headlines in yesterday's Carabao Cup final, although his opposite number has also sparked plenty of discussion in the aftermath of the game.
With the game locked at 0-0 deep into extra-time and penalties looming, Thomas Tuchel opted to replace first choice goalkeeper Edouard Mendy with backup Kepa Arrizabalaga. This is not the first time he had gone down this route, with the Spaniard brought on in similar circumstances during the UEFA Super Cup earlier this season.
While Chelsea would win on that occasion, there was to be no repeat at Wembley. Kepa would not manage to save any of the 11 penalties he faced, going on to miss the decisive spot kick himself.
SCENES!!! 🤯
Kepa Arrizabalaga misses the 22nd penalty after being subbed on for the shoot-out! 😨 pic.twitter.com/yLIOIQWdUD— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) February 27, 2022
All of this came after some questionable behaviour from the goalkeeper during the penalties, continually ignoring the instructions of the referee in an attempt to put off Liverpool's takers.
Of course, this has led to questions about Tuchel's decision to bring on Kepa in the first place.
Speaking on Sky Sports after the game, Jamie Redknapp criticised the substitution as well as the goalkeeper's antics during the shoot-out.
🗣 "I didn't like his behaviour when the penalties were being taken and then he took one of the worst penalties you've ever seen."
Jamie Redknapp hopes that Kepa coming on for Mendy puts to bed the goalkeeper substitutions before penalties pic.twitter.com/FaVKjMYM2g— Football Daily (@footballdaily) February 27, 2022
It was one of the all-time great 0-0s as a spectacle, everyone at home enjoyed it. Even the finale, you couldn't write it.
I hope it puts to bed these substitutions of bringing on goalkeepers (for shootouts). Mendy is one of the best goalkeepers in the world and you bring on Kepa instead of him? Ridiculous.
I didn't like his behaviour when the penalties were being taken, then he took one of the worst penalties we've ever seen.
I'm just being honest, I don't like it. I don't understand why you do it, you've got one of the best goalkeepers in the world and he should have stayed in there in the first place.
There was an analytical reason for Tuchel's decision.
While Mendy is clearly a far superior goalkeeper in general play, Kepa actually has a much better record at saving penalties.
Penalty takers have scored 94% of their shots against Mendy (30 goals on 32 attempts), so substituting on Kepa (71%, 17 goals on 24 attempts) was a very logical choice, despite his inability to stop anything in this shootout.
— Geir Jordet (@GeirJordet) February 27, 2022
Unfortunately for Chelsea, it didn't work out on this occasion.
Redknapp would later double down on his comments, much to the bemusement of Jamie Carragher and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.
Things got HEATED between Jamie Carragher and Jamie Redknapp when debating the decision to bring on Kepa for the penalty shoot-out! 😡 pic.twitter.com/jA1yT7Nsd4
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) February 27, 2022
I think it's a case of being too clever for your own good...
I think you're complicating it. Mendy is a bigger goalkeeper that makes better saves...
I just think it's nonsense and it proved nonsense today. He didn't get near saving a penalty, not even close. Why are you bringing him on? There's every chance that the other guy could have done it.
They could have success keeping the other goalkeeper as well...
It just doesn't make sense to me. He's not a good enough goalkeeper to put all your eggs in that basket.
Mendy will presumably resume goalkeeping duties for Chelsea in the weeks ahead, although it would be very interesting to see if Tuchel went down this route once again if his team were faced with a penalty shoot-out in the FA Cup or Champions League.
SEE ALSO: Jurgen Klopp Was Overjoyed That His Show Of Faith In Caoimhín Kelleher Paid Off
