The defeat for Chelsea meant a third straight FA Cup final defeat for Chelsea and a second cup final loss this season after Liverpool’s Carabao Cup victory in a similar fashion.
Liverpool won 6-5 in the shoot-out following an enthralling 0-0 draw after extra-time at Wembley on Saturday.
Despite the defeat, Chelsea coach, Thomas Tuchel, could not fault his players for their ability to take Liverpool all the way.
Tuchel admitted it will be hard to lift his players in time for their final two games against Leicester and Watford next week as they try to clinch third place in the Premier League.
“We showed we can compete with them, but the difference is Liverpool can produce this kind of performance more often and we struggle to do that,” he said.
“This is where the gap is. The sanctions didn’t make it easier to close it, players are leaving.
“Like in the last final, in the Carabao Cup, it’s no regrets. I told the team I’m proud.
“We were sure that we would be competitive and make life very difficult for Liverpool. We did it again. We struggled in the first 15 minutes but then we were excellent for the whole match.
“We got to zero-zero against maybe the best-attacking team in the world and we also created a lot of chances. We deserved it, as they deserved it as well, but again we lose on penalties.
“We are very disappointed of course. We are sad but at the same time proud.
“I was sure we would win today. I was sure before and I was sure during the match that momentum was on our side. I was sure until the very last minute but unfortunately, I was not right.
“I have to digest it and keep ongoing. That’s life in sports.
“We have everything it takes to win trophies, we proved it. We have a Club World Cup and a European Super Cup and I don’t feel sorry this was at the beginning of the season and in winter.
“We were good in Champions League, strong in both domestic cups, we can produce peak performances and we have the mentality in the club to shape the mentality of the players, but Man City and Liverpool have shown you need this on a consistency.”
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