Two of Liverpool’s last three trophy triumphs – the 2021/22 EFL Cup and FA Cup double – were both won from the penalty spot against Chelsea. Could they make it three from four against Newcastle on Sunday?
The Reds have been involved in almost one silverware-deciding shootout every two years since the turn of the millennium, and have recorded some famous victories from the spot.
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Liverpool penalty record in cup finals – the numbers
Liverpool have taken part in ten shootouts to decide finals this century, and have won an impressive seven of them, giving them an astounding win percentage of 70%.
The Reds have also only failed to score at least four of their spot-kicks once since 2000, in their 2016 EFL Cup final loss to Manchester City in Jurgen Klopp’s first season.
Liverpool penalty record in cup finals – latest odds
Liverpool to win the EFL Cup – 1/3
Liverpool are tipped as strong favourites to take the first serious bit of silverware in the English footballing calendar back to Anfield against Newcastle.
The Magpies have been very impressive at points this season, none more so than their semi-final wins over Arsenal. But they cannot match the quality or consistency of the Reds.
Newcastle are also set to miss key men Anthony Gordon, Lewis Hall and Sven Botman for this one.
History also tells us Liverpool are favourites, no side can match the Reds’ haul of ten EFL Cups. For more on Liverpool’s dominance of the EFL Cup, check out our explainer on how the Reds became the competition’s kings.
Liverpool and Newcastle to draw after 90 minutes – 1/3
But if history is anything to go by, it is far from a foregone conclusion that Liverpool will win this one inside 90 minutes.
In 2024, it took a last-gasp extra-time winner from Virgil van Dijk to beat Chelsea, and in 2022 it went to penalties.
In all, Liverpool have needed extra time or penalties to win four of their last five EFL Cup trophies.
Liverpool’s top five penalty shootout wins this century
5) Liverpool 3-1 West Ham FA Cup final 2006
This cup final saw one of Steven Gerrard’s most iconic performances in a Liverpool shirt. The Reds fell two goals behind early, but Gerrard scored two to end regular play at 3-3.
Gerrard dutifully converted his spot-kick, but a young Pepe Reina stole the show with three saves from West Ham’s four attempts.
4) Liverpool 14-13 Middlesbrough EFL Cup third round 2014
Most penalty shootouts are resolved within the first ten kicks. A few go to the sudden death phase.
But shootouts almost never become as attritional as the Reds’ 2014 EFL Cup victory over Middlesbrough, which saw a remarkable eight players take two spot kicks. Albert Adomah was the unfortunate man to miss his second kick
3) Chelsea 5-6 Liverpool FA Cup final 2022
Speaking of rare occurrences, it is not common for the EFL and FA Cups to feature the same teams in the same season, and unheard of for both to go to spot-kicks.
Liverpool sealed this rare achievement with a winning penalty from Kostas Tsimikas after Cesar Azpilicueta, Sadio Mane and Mason Mount missed their kicks.
2) Chelsea 10-11 Liverpool EFL Cup final 2022
As special as Liverpool’s second victory over Chelsea was, the Reds’ first shootout win of the year can’t be outdone on its own terms.
This game saw all 22 players on the pitch at the end of the 120 minutes take spot kicks, with Caoimhin Kelleher winning his battle of wits with Kepa Arrizabalaga, who had been substituted on specifically for the shootout.
1) AC Milan 5-6 Liverpool Champions League final 2005
Finishing as we started, let’s end with a Gerrard masterclass. The Liverpool legend saw his side three goals down at half-time against a side full of AC Milan greats, and took it upon himself to single-handedly drag his boyhood club to their first European title in over 40 years.
In the shootout, Jerzy Dudek came into his own, saving half of Milan’s on-target penalties. Vladimir Smicer scored the decisive penalty to complete the most iconic comeback in Champions League history, known simply as ‘Istanbul’ after the great city it took place in.
