Liverpool 2-2 Chelsea (5-4 on pens): 5 Hits and Flops

Adrian celebrates with teammates after thwarting Tammy Abraham from the spot during their shootout win
Adrian celebrates with teammates after thwarting Tammy Abraham from the spot during their shootout win

#3 Flop: Fabinho

Fabinho let Kante maraud past him unchallenged during the build-up to Giroud's opener
Fabinho let Kante maraud past him unchallenged during the build-up to Giroud's opener

Disappointing and sloppy in the first-half, Fabinho's role in Olivier Giroud breaking the deadlock cannot be excused. During the build-up, N'Golo Kanté marauded forward unchallenged and Fabinho let the World Cup winner glide past him as if he wasn't even there.

By the time he reacted, he was attempting (and failing!) to track Christian Pulisic before the American's deft pass into Giroud went rewarded after 36 minutes with a well-placed finish. That was probably his most significant mistake, but it was the most telling one during an exhausting evening for both sides - particularly in midfield.

Fabinho lost possession on 12 occasions, won seven of 15 duels contested and was dribbled past five times over the 120 minutes. Unsurprisingly, he also went down with cramp in the latter stages of extra-time - such was the humidity and intensity of a match that had lasted too long.

However, considering the fact he's trusted to be the midfield anchor and protector of his backline, those statistics are not good enough against a Chelsea midfield containing both Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic, who tend to orchestrate from deep for the Blues.

Add to that a returning Kanté who should have been doubled up on in possession and well, there really are no excuses.

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Edited by Arvind Sriram
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