Istanbul (AFP)

Liverpool confirmed their continental supremacy by winning their 4th European Supercup against Chelsea (2-2, 5 tab 4) after a thrilling shootout on Wednesday in Istanbul.

After a successful 5 on 5 by the Reds, the final attempt of the Blues, pulled by their young striker Tammy Abraham (21 years) was stopped by Adrian, holder in the cages of Liverpool in the absence of Alisson Becker, injured .

A hero all the more unexpected that the Spanish goalkeeper, at the end of the contract with West Ham, was still training several weeks ago with an Andalusian club of 6th division, the UD Pilas before being recruited by Jürgen Klopp.

With this 4th European Supercup won (1977, 2001, 2005 and therefore 2019), the Mersey club avoids a delicate start to the season, 10 days after losing a first trophy, the Community Shield against Manchester City.

Given Chelsea's festival of missed opportunities late in the game, the cleaver did not go far for the Klopp players, who led Wednesday the 800th match of his coaching career.

- Already in Istanbul ...-

But shots on goal in the European final in Istanbul, Liverpool knows: it is on the banks of the Bosphorus that the Reds have written one of the most beautiful pages of their history by being crowned European Champion in 2005 against a CA. Milan "All Star" after being led 3-0 at halftime.

For this first edition of the European Supercup between two English clubs, a double of Sadio Mane allowed the Reds to equalize (47th) after the opening of Oliver Giroud's score (35th) and then to lead (94th) to 'to a penalty kick whistled by the French Stéphanie Frappart - the first woman to lead a major men's match - and transformed by Jorginho (100). Finally, without consequences for Salah and his family.

Liverpool started off the floor, but the West London club let the waves through, taking advantage of a lull to pierce the tide "Red" on a clinical offensive transition.

Perfectly shifted by Christian Pulisic, after a high recovery of N'Golo Kanté -force- Olivier Giroud concluded the left foot plate (35th).

The Frenchman's first goal this season, who finished top scorer in the Europa League with 11 goals last season, already opening the scoring in the C3 final against his former Arsenal team-mates.

Riding their advantage, the Blues could even double the stake in stride. The goal of Pulisic, on a shot without momentum, finally refused after intervention of the video assistance to arbitration (VAR).

- Klopp launches Firmino -

Without wasting time, Klopp launched his Brazilian N.9 Roberto Firmino, curiously left on the bench at the kickoff.

His magic trio found, Liverpool immediately found the fault with a ball of Fabinho over the defense for Firmino, just entered the game, which gave Mane alone against the empty goal (47th).

Firmino for Mané, the winning formula for the European champions since, served in withdrawal by the Auriverde, Mané gave the advantage to the Reds by extending a missile of the plate of the foot (94e). His 19th goal on the calendar year.

A short lead: For an uncontrolled exit in the feet of Blues striker Tammy Abraham, Adrian, offered a penlaty to Chelsea. Transformed without trembling by Jorginho (100th).

It was then a festival of missed opportunities on the London side. But Frank Lampard's Chelsea, brutalized 4-0 by Manchester United for the resumption of the championship, this time did not go far.

© 2019 AFP