'It's a clear mistake that cost us': Calamity Kepa facing Chelsea exit with Edouard Mendy incoming as Frank Lampard rues error that gifted Liverpool second goal in win at Stamford Bridge

  • Kepa Arrizabalaga made another howler in Chelsea's loss to Liverpool on Sunday
  • The £72million goalkeeper gave Sadio Mane the ball for his second goal
  • The Blues went on to lose the match 2-0 to lose early ground in the title race
  • Frank Lampard said Kepa will not start the next game but will still support him 

Frank Lampard vowed to continue supporting under-fire Kepa Arrizabalaga after his latest blunder helped gift Liverpool victory at 10-man Chelsea.

Sadio Mane struck twice in four second-half minutes for the champions, his second coming after he intercepted Kepa's poor attempted clearance.

Lampard had already planned to take Kepa out of the firing line and start backup Willy Caballero in Wednesday's Carabao Cup tie against Barnsley.

Frank Lampard says he will try to restore Kepa Arrizabala (above)'s form after another error

Frank Lampard says he will try to restore Kepa Arrizabala (above)'s form after another error

Kepa gifted the ball to Sadio Mane for his second goal in Chelsea's 2-0 loss to Liverpool

Kepa gifted the ball to Sadio Mane for his second goal in Chelsea's 2-0 loss to Liverpool 

Chelsea have also agreed a £22million deal with Rennes for goalkeeper Edouard Mendy and hope to confirm his arrival this week, to ramp up the pressure on £71.6m Kepa, the world's most expensive goalkeeper.


Kepa, who was dropped last season by Lampard after dips in form, was already in the spotlight this term after allowing Leandro Trossard's shot under his arm in Chelsea's win at Brighton last week.

Lampard said: 'It's a clear mistake [against Liverpool] that cost us. Kepa has to keep working, he has to have support around him. He is our player.

'[In] Difficult times, players need support, particularly from myself. I give that to all the players. Nobody tries to make mistakes in football. You have to be strong.'

Chelsea were moments away from heading into the break level before Andreas Christensen was sent off following a pitchside VAR review by referee Paul Tierney. He initially showed the Dane a yellow for hauling down Mane.

Lampard recognised the blunder as a key mistake but says he will support his goalkeeper

Lampard recognised the blunder as a key mistake but says he will support his goalkeeper

Lampard said Willy Caballero (above) will replace Kepa in goal against Barnsley in midweek

Lampard said Willy Caballero (above) will replace Kepa in goal against Barnsley in midweek

Lampard, who also saw Jorginho have a late penalty saved by Alisson, said: 'The red card changes the face of the game, the talk I do at half-time, it forces me into a reshuffle and it was always going to be difficult after that.'

Lampard brought on Fikayo Tomori at half-time having omitted Antonio Rudiger from his squad altogether, as revealed ahead of kick-off by Sportsmail.

Lampard said: 'We have five centre halves so I can't pick three on the bench. I have to pick the squad via training, situations and the opponent.' 

The Blues are close to confirming a £20million deal for Rennes goalkeeper Edouard Mendy

The Blues are close to confirming a £20million deal for Rennes goalkeeper Edouard Mendy

With Chelsea a man down, Jurgen Klopp handed £25m signing Thiago Alcantara a 45-minute debut after the break following his arrival on Friday.

Liverpool manager Klopp said: 'When they went one man down it became the perfect game for him. A player like him can command the rhythm.

'It was a really good game for both teams. I liked our game a lot.'

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