Speculation over Declan Rice's future has long centred on an apparently inevitable departure from West Ham United.

The Hammers run to the Europa League semi-final has amplified talk around the England international midfielder, with Chelsea and Manchester United linked.

According to reports, though, the 23-year-old appears content at London Stadium with a World Cup on the horizon.

TOP STORY – DECLAN RICE TO STICK WITH WEST HAM    

Declan Rice will not leave West Ham despite interest from Manchester United and Chelsea, according to The Mirror.

The 23-year-old has been reticent to sign a new deal at the club, but he is reportedly in no hurry to leave yet either, seemingly wanted to stay settled ahead of November's World Cup in Qatar.

United have looked to Rice as one of their primary transfer targets as Erik ten Hag looks to overhaul the squad, but Rice appears set for one more season at West Ham following their run to the Europa League semi-final this term.

Hammers management had previously advised that Rice is not for sale, and strong performances at the World Cup with England would likely only increase his already lofty market value.

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– Real Madrid are showing interest in Milan's Rafael Leao after Kylian Mbappe opted to stay at Paris Saint-Germain, according to Marca.

– Los Blancos are also looking to scupper Liverpool's move for Aurelien Tchouameni, despite the player having already agreed terms with the Reds so say The Mirror.

– Barcelona are discussing personal terms with Marcos Alonso, who is set to leave Chelsea, Fabrizio Romano reports.

– Arsenal defender William Saliba wants to stay at Marseille, where he has been on loan, per Goal.

The inevitable at Camp Nou has arrived along with the end of the season in LaLiga.

Xavi's rebuild and transformation of the Barcelona has lingered over this past season, despite the need to recover from their slow start.

According to reports, the Blaugrana are not wasting any time.

TOP STORY – XAVI CLEAR-OUT TO BEGIN AT BARCELONA   

Xavi has informed a number of Barcelona's players that the club is intending to sell them, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Riqui Puig, Samuel Umtiti, Oscar Mingueza and Martin Braithwaite have already been notified they are not in the club's future plans.

The four of them have been peripheral figures under Xavi, since he took over as head coach in November, but he had avoided contract talk with the press during the season.

While the 42-year-old has confirmed he has spoken to those four players "and others", it appears to be only the start of a sizeable squad transformation.

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– Meanwhile, the Barca boss has confirmed they are in talks to sign Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski, Goal reports.

– Napoli have rejected a €90million (£76m) bid from Arsenal for Victor Osimhen, according to Calciomercato.

– The Daily Mail is reporting Paris Saint-Germain are preparing a final offer for Paul Pogba, but Juventus are confident their offer of a €14.2m yearly salary will be sufficient.

– The Daily Mail is also reporting that Inter want Ivan Perisic to agree to a new contract amid interest from Tottenham and Chelsea.

Tick-tock, tick-tock. It appears time will finally run out on Sunday and the Kylian Mbappe transfer saga will finally be at its end.

Paris Saint-Germain have experienced another monumental blow this season with another cruel elimination in the Champions League and Real Madrid are waiting in the wings.

According to reports, the 23-year-old will finally announce his decision on Sunday.

TOP STORY – MBAPPE TO CONFIRM DECISION ON SUNDAY  

Kylian Mbappe will announce whether he will play for Paris Saint-Germain or Real Madrid on Sunday, according to L'Equipe.

The Parisian has never hidden his admiration for LeBron James and appears set to mimic his 'The Decision' announcement from 2010.

What is for certain according to reports, Mbappe is intent on announcing the decision before the France national team meets up for camp in Clairefontaine on May 28.

While it has been recently reported a move to Real Madrid seems likelier, talks are still ongoing according to the L'Equipe report, with PSG aiming to scupper a potential move at the last minute.

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– Meanwhile, France team-mate and Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba had agreed personal terms with Manchester City, according to the Times, but backed out in fear of fan backlash and now appears likely to move abroad.

– Along with Pogba, Juventus are also hoping to further bolster their midfield stocks and sign Chelsea midfielder Jorginho, the Gazzetta dello Sport reports.

– Diario AS is reporting Paulo Dybala has ruled out a move to Tottenham once his contract with Juve expires at the end of the season.

– Kalidou Koulibaly has emerged as a target for Barcelona, who would be willing to add Miralem Pjanic as part of a package deal for Napoli, per Fichajes.

Manchester City's dramatic Champions League exit at the hands of Real Madrid this season is apparently cause for another raid on the transfer market.

After already wrapping up Erling Haaland's transfer from Borussia Dortmund, the midfield is the next area of business.

With veterans in the midfield likely on their way out at the Etihad Stadium at this end of this season, replacements could soon be on the way.

TOP STORY – CITY EYE PHILLIPS AS FERNANDINHO REPLACEMENT 

Manchester City have emerged as contenders for the signature of Leeds United and England midfielder Kalvin Phillips, according to the Mirror.

While Manchester United have also identified Phillips as a potential addition for their midfield, the 26-year-old has reportedly made it clear to his inner circle that he will not join Leeds' fierce rivals.

However, Phillips would appear likely to leave Leeds if they are relegated, with West Ham, Aston Villa and Newcastle United all also linked.

Fernandinho will depart City at the end of the season, while Ilkay Gundogan could follow, and the £50million-rated Phillips is a more attainable target than £100m international team-mate Declan Rice.

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– According to Bild, Paris Saint-Germain are prepared to move on a deal for Liverpool's Sadio Mane amid reports he is stalling on a renewal of his contract, which expires in 2023.

– Incoming Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has added Ajax's Lisandro Martinez to the list of players he wants to bring to Old Trafford, the Telegraph is reporting.

– United have also shown renewed interest in Lazio and Serbia midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, per Calciomercato.

– Chelsea want to sign Milan captain Alessio Romagnoli on a free transfer when his contract expires at the end of this season, Mundo Deportivo reports.

Thomas Tuchel has no idea if Andreas Christensen will play for Chelsea again after the defender ruled himself out of the FA Cup final for "private" reasons.

Christensen's contract expires at the end of the month and Barcelona are the favourites to sign him on a free transfer.

The Denmark international started in the 3-0 Premier League win at Leeds United, but was not in the squad for a defeat to Liverpool on penalties on the FA Cup final at Wembley last Saturday.

Blues boss Tuchel on Wednesday confirmed the centre-back told him he was unavailable on the morning of the game.

Tuchel is unsure if Christensen will play in the London club's two remaining Premier League games against Leicester City on Thursday and Watford three days later, as they strive to secure third place. 

Asked if Christensen will return, the German said in a press conference: "Not sure yet if he's involved tomorrow and at the weekend.

"Andreas came on the morning of the match and told me he was not ready to play.

"He had his reasons, they stay private and confidential, but it was not the first time as you can see over the last weeks we had some of the same situations why he did not play so regularly.

"We thought that we are in a good progression and good development because he played very strong in the match before the final against Leeds but the conversation took place and we have to respect it and we of course respected it and he has our support.

"It is unlikely for the weekend, it was on very short notice before the cup final and other matches in the weeks before. So no chance I have any prediction for tomorrow and the weekend."

Timo Werner will miss the clash with Leicester due to a thigh injury, while Kai Havertz also has a thigh problem and will be monitored ahead of the game.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has stated the national anthem should never be booed after Jurgen Klopp defended Liverpool fans voicing their disapproval ahead of the FA Cup final.

Boos could be heard ringing around the Liverpool end at Wembley Stadium on Saturday when 'Abide With Me' and national anthem 'God Save the Queen' were performed before kick-off.

More disapproval followed when Prince William, a member of the royal family and chair of the Football Association (FA), shook hands with the Liverpool and Chelsea players.

Liverpool went on to win their eighth FA Cup by defeating Chelsea on penalties, and Klopp described the "majority" of his supporters as "wonderful people" even if he did not want to hear the boos.

"Of course I have thoughts but I think in these situations it's best to ask the question: 'Why does it happen?' Klopp said on Monday ahead of a Premier League clash with Southampton.

"They wouldn't do if there was no reason. I've not been here long enough to understand the reason for it – it's for sure something historical – and that's probably questions you can answer much better than I could ever.

"The majority of our supporters are wonderful people. Really smart, go through lows and highs. They wouldn't do it without reason."

The behaviour of the Liverpool supporters has been met with widespread condemnation and Johnson's official spokesperson criticised the vociferous Reds supporters.

Asked if the Prime Minister believes there is ever a justifiable reason to jeer the anthem, he said: "No. Obviously the events over the weekend, it was a great shame that as we were marking 150 years of the FA Cup that brings people together that a small minority chose to act in that way."

Lindsay Hoyle, the Speaker of the House of Commons, added: "I utterly condemn any fans who booed Prince William at Wembley today.

"The FA Cup final should be an occasion when we come together as a country. It should not be ruined by a minority of fans' totally shameful behaviour.

"In this year of all years – the Queen's Platinum Jubilee – this is dreadful."

RB Leipzig star Christopher Nkunku has been named Bundesliga's Player of the Season for the 2021-22 campaign as speculation over a Premier League move persists.

Nkunku won the German top flight's Player of the Month award a single-season record four times - in October, February, March and April - and has been subsequently rewarded with the end-of-season accolade.

Robert Lewandowski, Manchester City-bound Erling Haaland and Bayer Leverkusen's Patrik Schick were all in contention, but only the Bayern Munich talisman (38) can boast more direct goal involvements this term than Nkunku, who has scored 20 goals and recorded 13 assists in 34 league games.

Meanwhile, across Europe's top five leagues in all competitions only Karim Benzema (59), Kylian Mbappe (57) and Lewandowski 56) have been involved in more goals than the Leipzig striker (50).

That goalscoring form and creative prowess guided Leipzig to the Europa League semi-finals, where they were defeated by Rangers, and helped them finish fourth in the Bundesliga.

Nkunku's development has not gone unnoticed by France coach Didier Deschamps, as the 24-year-old made his Les Bleus debut in a friendly against Ivory Coast in March.

He will hope to make Deschamps' squad as France aim to defend their World Cup title at Qatar 2022 in November and December.

There remains uncertainty over who Nkunku will be playing for next season, with Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal all reportedly interested but Leipzig eager to keep him.

United could be the most likely destination for Nkunku, given Ralf Rangnick's association with the Bundesliga club.

Nkunku goes in search of DFB-Pokal success when Leipzig face Freiburg in the final in Berlin on Saturday.

Antonio Rudiger said the sanctions placed on Chelsea by the UK government were not the reason behind his decision to leave the club.

Germany defender Rudiger has been a crucial player for Thomas Tuchel at Chelsea but has not agreed to a new contract.

The former Roma centre-back will therefore leave at the end of the season on a free transfer, with Real Madrid his likely destination.

Rudiger has helped Chelsea to four FA Cup finals, winning one, and a Champions League success since joining in 2017. The UEFA Super Cup, Europa League and FIFA Club World Cup are also included in his honours.

When confirming that Rudiger had asked to leave Chelsea in April, Tuchel suggested that the sanctions placed on the club's owner Roman Abramovic in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine meant the Blues were unable to match the 29-year-old's financial demands.

Rudiger, however, insisted that the sanctions had no impact on his decision.

"I don’t want to go too deep into things," he told reporters at Wembley on Saturday, after Chelsea lost 6-5 on penalties to Liverpool in the FA Cup final, their third consecutive defeat in the competition's showpiece.

"There was a chance but sanctions were not the problem.

"It’s been five years with ups and downs as normal. There were a lot of positive things, but that's why I'm even more frustrated because I wanted to have a different ending.

"It's about both sides. Chelsea have been great to me and I have been great for Chelsea. I am very, very thankful, both me and my family.

"I became a man here. My kids were born here and everything. London, and especially Chelsea, will always be special to me."

Chelsea have become the first side since Newcastle United (1974, 1998 and 1999) to lose on three consecutive FA Cup final appearances, while the Blues are the first team since Middlesbrough in 1996-97 to lose both of England's domestic cup finals in the same campaign, after their penalty shoot-out loss to Liverpool in the EFL Cup final in February.

"I think it was a good game just like the EFL Cup final. We had chances, they had chances," reflected Rudiger.

"But at the end of the day we know that penalties are always a lottery and we lost.

"It's about winning, it's not about next season. The game was about today and it was there to take. Unfortunately we didn't win.

"It's always difficult to say whether we are lucky or unlucky. For myself it's the third time [I have lost an FA Cup final] so you can't always say unlucky, unlucky, unlucky."

Rudiger has two games left before he leaves Chelsea, with the Blues hosting Leicester City on Thursday before closing out their season against Watford.

Liverpool's FA Cup triumph has been described as "unreal" by Trent Alexander-Arnold, who has now won every major club honour available to him so far in his career.

Alexander-Arnold scored his spot-kick as Liverpool went on to beat Chelsea 6-5 in the penalty shoot-out at Wembley on Saturday.

After a goalless draw over 120 minutes, Edouard Mendy saved Sadio Mane's penalty, but Alisson subsequently denied Mason Mount, setting the stage for Kostas Tsimikas to net the winning spot-kick.

The Reds won the EFL Cup against Chelsea in February in similar circumstances, triumphing 11-10 in a shoot-out on that occasion.

Alexander-Arnold is only 23, but has already won the FA Cup, EFL Cup, Champions League, FIFA Club World Cup and the Premier League.

He told the Reds' official website: "[It feels] unreal, to be honest. I was sat there thinking this is the only one I’ve got left now to complete the set and to do it is an amazing feeling. 

"It's something that I've dreamed of and it's something that not many players can say they have done, so to be able to do it with this amazing club and this amazing team is a special feeling for me."

Liverpool, who face Real Madrid in the Champions League final on May 28, have won both of England's domestic cup competitions for the first time since 2000-01, when they also went on to win a European trophy that season.

The EFL Cup final between these teams also finished goalless, despite the array of attacking talent on show, while the two league fixtures both ended all square this season.

Alexander-Arnold added: "Honestly, it's always tight when we play Chelsea. We just can't get the better of each other, it always comes down to pens and draws.

"That's four draws now [this season], it's rare, so it's hard to beat them but we were resilient and we've got the job done when it matters. We've kept calm under pressure."

Tsimikas was the unlikely hero for Liverpool, with the back-up left-back keeping his cool from 12 yards after replacing Andrew Robertson.

"It just shows the depth that we've got, lads coming in," Alexander-Arnold said. "The way we did it in the EFL Cup and now.

"It's amazing, the changes we've made, the players coming on and doing their job unbelievably well. It's an amazing group and it's a special season."

Liverpool still harbour hopes of sealing an unprecedented quadruple, though they have only two games left to catch league leaders Manchester City, who are three points clear.

Jurgen Klopp hailed the impact of Luis Diaz after he put in a man-of-the-match performance for Liverpool as they beat Chelsea on penalties in the FA Cup final.

Saturday marked the second time Liverpool have beaten Chelsea on penalties at Wembley this season, having also done so in the EFL Cup final in February, where Diaz was similarly among the best players on the pitch.

On this occasion, Diaz had six shots – twice as many as any other player for either team – but did not score as the game ended goalless, denied by Edouard Mendy with his sole effort on target when through on goal in the first half.

In his post-match media conference, Klopp could not hide his joy at the performance of a player who only arrived on Merseyside from Porto at the end of January.

"What a boy, what a story, what a player... but he should have scored!" Klopp joked. "It's so funny, we hug each other and all we shout is 'Vamos' or whatever, all I can speak in these languages.

"I feel lucky, he fits like a glove to our football and that's really, really special."

Liverpool have now lifted the FA Cup eight times – only Arsenal (14) and Manchester United (12) have won it more often.

Klopp was pleased with the latest victory as well as the performance, although he conceded Liverpool were fortunate to win on penalties, even if he did have an explanation for why his side are so good at them, having teamed up with a company called Neuro11, which specialises in improving sporting performance with brain tracking.

"My team know exactly what I feel about them. This is a trophy for the whole club," Klopp said.

"We saw all the faces [of the fans] when we came here on the bus and could see what it means to the people, that we could make it is massive. Game 60 or whatever in an intense season.

"All respect to Chelsea. What a team, what a performance.

"In the end we all know penalties is a lottery, but we did it again. We work together with a company, four guys, we got in touch with them... one is a neuroscientist who said you could train penalties."

Sadio Mane had the chance to win the final for Liverpool with their fifth penalty, having scored the decisive spot-kicks for Senegal in both the Africa Cup of Nations final and World Cup qualifying against Egypt earlier this year.

However, his international team-mate Mendy saved it, and the Reds boss conceded that it was partly his fault as he told Mane to go the other way to where he went in his Senegal successes to throw the Chelsea goalkeeper.

"Sadio's penalty was 50 per cent my responsibility," he said. "He knows the goalie so [I said he should] do it the other way around. How often in my life I thought it better to shut up."

Klopp also had to field questions about the quadruple, on which he dampened expectations slightly after seeing his team have to play 120 minutes, with Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Andrew Robertson all substituted through injury or cramp.

Liverpool have now won the EFL Cup and FA Cup, with a Champions League final still to come against Real Madrid on May 28. They still sit three points behind Manchester City in the Premier League with just two games remaining.

"I said before about the quadruple thing, its great we can talk about it," Klopp said. "We sit here now, it's already 20 past nine if my watch is right, and we play Tuesday night against Southampton.

"I think we will have to make a few changes. Last home game of the season for them, [it] will be incredibly tough. [The quadruple is] on if you like, but [possibly] off because of the [fitness] situation.

"This [second] part of the season, my boys drew against Chelsea, City and Tottenham and won all the rest. It's insane.

"If it isn't enough, we will congratulate City. We drew with them twice, we will have to see what we can do next season.

"We came from a season where no one in this room probably apart from me thought we could go again."

Jordan Henderson hailed Liverpool's resolve after they overcame the loss of Mohamed Salah to emerge as FA Cup Final victors with a 6-5 penalty shoot-out win over Chelsea.

The Reds made it two domestic final triumphs from two against the Blues this season, as they overcame the London club in the tension of another sudden death shoot-out at Wembley on Saturday.

Konstantinos Tsimikas was the hero after Alisson saved Mason Mount's spot-kick following a goalless encounter, adding the only missing major honour to Jurgen Klopp's Anfield trophy cabinet.

Victory also keeps the prospect of an unprecedented quadruple alive - though Liverpool would need Manchester City to slip up in the Premier League, with the Champions League final still against Real Madrid to come.

The Merseyside club suffered a big blow when Salah was forced off just after the half-hour mark through injury.

Coupled with the loss of talismanic midfielder Fabinho for the final and with Virgil van Dijk not fit to return to the field for extra time, the Reds needed to show their mettle - and captain Henderson felt there was plenty of that on show.

"It was difficult, we knew it would be," the England international told BBC Two. "We've had so many games in a short space of time.

"It was a big blow with Mo going off and Fab last week. But that's what we're all about, the attitude and mentality to keep going and to dig in when it's tough.

"We're here to lift trophies, we work so hard all season. To come here and get over the line means a lot to everyone. The fans deserve it, the whole club.

"It's a big moment for us, we haven't been in this final for some time so to win it was special. It's fine margins, especially in finals, as we know in the last two.

"We've just got to give everything, like we always do. We've got to work for each other and play with the players that we've got.

"It's incredible some of the talent we have got in the dressing room and the personalities. You put that together and you win trophies really."

Henderson - who is the first player to appear in FA Cup finals a decade apart for the same club since David O'Leary for Arsenal in 1993 - will now focus on the last three games of the season.

Back-to-back Premier League encounters with Southampton and Wolves are to come, before a Champions League final rematch with Madrid in Paris that will see the Reds aim for revenge for their 2018 defeat.

"We've won two so far this season. We've still got some big games left. We just need to keep on going right until the end and see what we can finish on," Henderson added.

"We've got to recover quickly, another big game on Tuesday against Southampton, we have to be ready for that. Then [it is] Wolves at the weekend, and then the Champions League final.

"We have three big games left and hopefully we can win all three and finish the season on a high."

Goalkeeper Alisson hopes the Reds can use their latest Wembley triumph into momentum for further silverware.

"This gives us more confidence in the Premier League and also the Champions League final," he told BBC One.

"[But] It's a fantastic moment now, we just need to enjoy It's amazing, we did such a good performance. It was a shame we didn't score.

"It was a proper fight, we kept a clean sheet, and then afterwards the boys were unbelievable scoring the goals. I just had to save the last one."

Both Alisson and opposite number Edouard Mendy made a save apiece in the shoot-out, with the latter denying Senegal team-mate Sadio Mane to force sudden death in the shoot-out.

Cesar Azpilicueta also failed to find three back of the net, as the Chelsea skipper rattled the post.

Alisson was quick to pay tribute to his fellow goalkeeper, adding: "Myself and Mendy [made] amazing saves.

"[But] I couldn't have done the saves without the help of the team. They work well and make it easier for me. All goalkeeper coaches, they help me with the decisions."

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel said he has "no regrets" about his team's performance in the FA Cup final against Liverpool, despite defeat.

The Blues were beaten by Jurgen Klopp's side for the second time at Wembley – having also lost the EFL Cup final in February – and again it was on penalties.

After a goalless 120 minutes, Cesar Azpilicueta and Mason Mount failed to score from the spot, and though Edouard Mendy saved from Sadio Mane, Kostas Tsimikas won it for Liverpool with his effort from 12 yards.

It was another tight contest between Chelsea and Liverpool, having drawn both league games against one another this season, but Tuchel was not in the mood to be too downtrodden by events, despite disappointment at missing out on another cup to his German counterpart.

"Like in the last final, no regrets," the former Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain head coach said in his post-match media conference. 

"I told the team I was proud. I was happy before the match to arrive with this group. We were competitive, we made life difficult for them. We struggled in the first 15 minutes, then we were excellent through whole match.

"Disappointed of course, sad, but at same time proud. I was sure we would win today, unfortunately I was not right. We have to keep going, that's life in sports."

Tuchel also cleared up some questions around players, with Kai Havertz not making the squad and Timo Werner saying he could not play despite being named on the bench.

"Kai did not train yesterday because of hamstring problems," Tuchel said. "We tried everything but it was not better."

On Werner, the German confirmed it was a hamstring issue, and added: "Timo felt uncomfortable during the warm-up and said he can not play."

Chelsea became the first team in the history of the FA Cup to lose the final in three consecutive years (2020 vs Arsenal, 2021 vs Leicester, 2022 vs Liverpool), but the 48-year-old outlined how he feels his team can close the gap on rivals Liverpool and Manchester City, with the Blues sitting 16 points behind the second-placed Reds in the Premier League.

"I think we have proved we can play with peak performances against them," he insisted. "The difference at the moment is they can do it [consistently] but we struggle to do that. They came here with just Fabinho missing, we have had a number of players out… That is where the gap comes from.

"I think we have what it takes to win trophies. We won the Club World Cup and Super Cup, so it is not a trophy-less season.

"Good in the Champions League and did well in both domestic cups. We are capable of peak performances, but Man City and Liverpool showed you need to be on top of your game all the time."

Jurgen Klopp hailed Liverpool's "outstanding" display after they overcame Chelsea in a penalty shoot-out to win the FA Cup final at Wembley.

After two hours of fiercely competitive action ended without a goal – as was the case when the two sides met in February's EFL Cup final, Allison saved Mason Mount's sudden-death spot-kick, allowing Konstantinos Tsimikas to seal Liverpool's first FA Cup triumph since 2006.

The Reds lost Mohamed Salah to injury in the first half before both Virgil van Dijk and Andrew Robertson were substituted after normal time, while Sadio Mane missed their first opportunity to seal victory in the shoot-out.

But Liverpool dug deep to win both domestic cups for the first time since they did so in 2001 under Gerard Houllier, and they could yet add the Premier League and Champions League trophies in a remarkable campaign.

Klopp emulated Alex Ferguson to become only the second manager to win the Champions League, FA Cup, League Cup and the English top-flight title with the same English club.

After also becoming the first German boss to win the FA Cup, Klopp said he could not have been prouder of his team.

He also appeared to hint the discomfort suffered by Van Dijk was not serious after replacing the Netherlands defender with Joel Matip at the start of extra time.

"[We were] outstanding, I have to say it was again the same, an incredibly intense game against Chelsea, they would have deserved it exactly the same way [as us], like in the EFL Cup," he told the BBC.

"Small margins were again the difference and I couldn't be more proud of my boys, what they did, the shift they put in, how they fought, how hard it was...

"[We had] the early change with Mo, Virgil is fine I think – all these things, missing good chances, overcoming good moments from Chelsea and having also good moments, playing a really good game but nothing will change the result…Then the penalty shoot-out was nerve-wrecking, my nails are gone!" 

Chelsea became the first team in FA Cup history to finish as runners-up up in three consecutive seasons, having lost to Arsenal in 2020 and Leicester City last year.

Klopp said he felt for the Blues, who he said had matched his own side in proving they were "mentality monsters."

"I really feel for Chelsea, the second time after 120 minutes that they get nothing, that's hard," he added.

"For us, I'm pretty happy! They're mentality monsters, but I saw mentality monsters in blue as well. It was one penalty, that's it. Chelsea played outstanding, but in the end there must be one winner and that was us today."   

Penalty hero Tsimikas revealed Klopp had encouraged him to step up earlier in the shoot-out, but was delighted to have been granted the opportunity to be the match-winner.

"It's very, very special for me," the left-back told the BBC. "The manager asked me which number I want, I said number seven. He said 'why so far down?' and I just said 'I want number seven.' Number seven gave me the opportunity to win the game, I chose the right side and I scored, so I'm very happy for that.

"Of course, we wanted it so much, it was our goal from the start of the season. We still have two more goals to achieve, we'll go for it and hopefully, at the end, everybody will be happy.

"We have to celebrate now, but we still have in our minds the big final and the two upcoming [league] games, and we have to be 100 per cent focused to achieve our goals.

"We gave absolutely everything, we have to celebrate hard, but tomorrow's the next day, we still have a lot to do. We have games in the Premier League and we have a big final {in the Champions League against Real Madrid]."

Of course it was penalties. It was never not going to be penalties.

Thomas Tuchel chose not to bathe the game in narrative and left Kepa Arrizabalaga on the bench this time, but it was another substitute who stepped up to deal Chelsea their second shoot-out agony against Liverpool this season.

The unlikely hero was Kostas Tsimikas, who stepped up to slot home the winning penalty and give the Reds their second trophy of 2021-22.

It meant that Jurgen Klopp became only the second manager to win the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and EFL Cup all with one English club, after Alex Ferguson.

He is also the first German to win the FA Cup and just the second Liverpool manager to take charge of the club in the final of four major domestic/European competitions (EFL Cup, Europa League, Champions League and FA Cup), after the great Bob Paisley. This is another golden era for the Merseysiders, no doubt about it.

As the sun shone down on Wembley Stadium, awash in a sea of blue and red and with a noise that could make the arch quiver, Chelsea and Liverpool played out their latest edition of "No, my German coach is better!"

Both teams had already contested three stunningly close encounters this season, drawing in both league games and with the EFL Cup final having to be decided by the 22nd penalty of a shoot-out.

Why did we ever think this meeting would be different?

The FA Cup final is one of the most traditional days in the football calendar, with 'Abide with Me', the national anthem and a royal presence on show.

Tradition was missing from the touchline though as both Tuchel and Klopp arrived dressed in tracksuits and baseball caps, while Chelsea for some reason decided to play in their changed kit of all yellow, perhaps trying to evoke memories for Liverpool of their first-half scare in the recent Champions League semi-final against Villarreal.

The attire may have been casual, but the start from Liverpool was anything but.

It was a case of sun's out, guns out for the Reds as they set about attacking Chelsea from the off, showing more of the intense counter-pressing that saw them through their semi-final with Manchester City a few weeks ago.

As in the EFL Cup final, Luis Diaz was a nuisance on the left, putting two balls into the box that very nearly found team-mates, before the Colombian was denied by Edouard Mendy when put through one-on-one by a sumptuous Trent Alexander-Arnold pass.

But Chelsea had good chances of their own, with Christian Pulisic putting an effort wide while Marcos Alonso was thwarted by Alisson.

It was difficult for much momentum to be gained with four lengthy stoppages for injuries, including Mohamed Salah reliving his experience from the 2018 Champions League final and having to come off in the first half.

Salah's replacement Diogo Jota fired over from an Andrew Robertson cross, while Romelu Lukaku did the same as he tried to outmuscle Virgil van Dijk. Liverpool managed nine shots to Chelsea's three in the opening 45 minutes, with 42 final third entries to their opponents' 18.

Despite that, a well-organised defence from the Blues saw the score remain level, and you wondered just what would it take to separate these two seemingly inseparable entities?

It was Chelsea's turn to start brightly after the break – Alonso and Pulisic going close again. More chances spurned.

As was the case with Liverpool, that initial burst died down, allowing the Reds to have a couple of shots narrowly miss the target through Diaz and Jota.

The woodwork was struck three times in the second half as both teams continued to try, and continued to fail. 

Van Dijk going off, and he was later seen to be hobbling, presented another injury concern for Liverpool heading into extra-time and Chelsea attempted to give Joel Matip a blistering welcome. Yet Liverpool stood firm.

Diaz received a standing ovation as he left the field, his second excellent performance in a Wembley final for the club, and he only joined on the last day of January.

The former Porto man was the first player to have six shots in an FA Cup final since Anthony Martial for Manchester United in 2016, who also did not score.

A big rendition of You'll Never Walk Alone went up from the Liverpool end at half-time in extra time while Chelsea fans waved their flags, one last effort to give their teams the slimmest of edges. But this one was destined for spot-kicks.

An early miss from Cesar Azpilicueta meant it looked like an extra-time substitute was going to yet again be his team's downfall, only for the Spaniard to be given a reprieve when Sadio Mane drilled at compatriot Mendy. Sudden death.

But Alisson had a save in his locker, too, getting down to his left to keep out Mason Mount's timid effort, setting the stage for Tsimikas, who had replaced Andrew Robertson, to send Mendy the wrong way and spark celebrations and smoke bombs aplenty in the Liverpool end.

It was yet more domestic cup heartbreak for Chelsea, who having appeared in five of the last six FA Cup finals, have only won one of them.

Liverpool's recent FA Cup record, however, was significantly worse. Klopp had only made it as far as the fifth round on one occasion in six attempts, going out in the fourth round four times and the third round once.

In fairness to Chelsea, much like the EFL Cup final, this one could have gone either way, and it must be remembered that having been in charge of Chelsea for just one year and 108 days, Tuchel has already overseen four major finals, matching Jose Mourinho.

As it was in February, this was Liverpool's day, finding those fine margins and getting over the line to do the EFL Cup and FA Cup double. Not bad for a team that supposedly didn't care about the cups.

A quadruple might now look unlikely given City's league form, but another final, a chance for a third trophy this term, awaits on May 28 in Paris – Real Madrid the opponents.

You'd not bet against that one going to penalties, either.

Konstantinos Tsimikas scored the winning penalty as Liverpool kept their quadruple hopes alive with a 6-5 shoot-out success over Chelsea after an absorbing FA Cup final.

Extra-time substitute Tsimikas sent Edouard Mendy the wrong way with the decisive kick after Alisson saved from Mason Mount, as Jurgen Klopp's side secured a repeat of February's EFL Cup final win after two hours of action ended 0-0.

Liverpool had been dealt a huge blow when Mohamed Salah was forced off through injury in the first half, with Virgil van Dijk and Andrew Robertson also substituted after 90 minutes were through.

But the Reds dug deep to condemn Chelsea to their third consecutive FA Cup final loss, and they could yet add the Premier League and Champions League trophies to their domestic cup double in the coming weeks.