Liverpool wins the League Cup for the ninth time in a row, defeating Chelsea 11-10 on penalties.

LONDON – Liverpool won the League Cup final in dramatic fashion after Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga missed the decisive penalty, giving the Reds an 11-10 shoot-out victory after a tense 0-0 draw at Wembley on Sunday.

When Kepa blazed his spot-kick high over the bar, Jurgen Klopp's side clinched their first domestic knockout prize since the 2012 League Cup.

It was the only miss in the tense shootout, which saw Liverpool keeper Caoimhin Kelleher score his penalty just before Kepa.

Despite his reputation as a penalty saver, Kepa was brought on at the end of extra time to replace Edouard Mendy, but the Spaniard was unable to repel any of Liverpool's kicks.

While there were no goals in 120 minutes, it was a thrilling final with numerous chances for both sides to win it before the cruel ending.

Liverpool's second-half goal against Virgil van Dijk was controversially disallowed, while Chelsea had three goals ruled out for offside later in the game.

The Reds have won the League Cup a record nine times, surpassing Manchester City, and Klopp is the first German manager to do so, having finally tasted Wembley success after two previous defeats as manager there.

Liverpool has closed the gap on Premier League leaders Manchester City to six points with a game in hand, putting them in contention for an unprecedented quadruple.

After a last-16 first-leg win at Inter Milan, they are on course for the Champions League quarter-finals, and they host Norwich in the FA Cup fifth round on Wednesday.