Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings: FA Cup disappointment

Chelsea's Spanish defender Marcos Alonso (L) and Chelsea's German defender Antonio Rudiger (R) applaud Chelsea's Spanish defender Cesar Azpilicueta (C) eventhough he missed to score during the penalty session of the English FA Cup final football match between Chelsea and Liverpool, at Wembley stadium, in London, on May 14, 2022. - - NOT FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING USE / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / NOT FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING USE / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
Chelsea's Spanish defender Marcos Alonso (L) and Chelsea's German defender Antonio Rudiger (R) applaud Chelsea's Spanish defender Cesar Azpilicueta (C) eventhough he missed to score during the penalty session of the English FA Cup final football match between Chelsea and Liverpool, at Wembley stadium, in London, on May 14, 2022. - - NOT FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING USE / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / NOT FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING USE / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 14: Luis Diaz of Liverpool closes down Reece James of Chelsea during The FA Cup Final match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Wembley Stadium on May 14, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 14: Luis Diaz of Liverpool closes down Reece James of Chelsea during The FA Cup Final match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Wembley Stadium on May 14, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images)

Reece James (Right wingback): 9/10

Inch-perfect is an ideal word to describe Reece James’ performance on Saturday as he was one of Chelsea’s best players. Defensively, he was so astute as he gave the Liverpool forwards a really tough time. He also provided some excellent service at the top end of the pitch. James created chances that went begging and ones that will haunt the squad for a while as there was no-one grateful enough to receive them.

Jorginho (Central midfielder): 8/10

Jorghino’s presence in the middle of the park gave this game a far more controlled dynamic from Chelsea’s point of view, especially in comparison other games where it has played without him. He captained the team and did an excellent job for the entirety of match. Jorginho played a couple of long balls over the top that could not be converted by the forwards; he was also one of the few players that played the entire 120 minutes of the match.

Mateo Kovacic (Central midfielder): 7/10

Paired in the middle of the park with Jorghino, the two controlled Chelsea’s engine room perfectly.
With barely any room to breathe, the Croatian dynamo did well a number of times to escape from the grasps of a hungry sea of Reds players. Mateo Kovacic was not fully fit going into the big occasion, and that was so very obvious, but it was an admirable performance he put up in Wembley. He was withdrawn for N’Golo Kante in the 66′ and he had given his all by the time he was substituted off after the hour-mark.

Marcos Alonso (Left wingback): 9/10

It is safe to say Marcos Alonso was brilliant. He constantly caused headaches by marauding the left wing, keeping Trent Alexander-Arnold on his toes all game. The Spaniard was a constant threat and another day he’d have been the hero in a game of fine margins. He forced a fine save from Alisson in the first half and he was unlucky to hit the bar in the second from a direct free kick. Defensively, Alonso was very solid too and he—alongside Rudiger—kept the Liverpool forwards from causing any damage.