LONDON, ENGLAND - Tuesday, January 27, 2015: Liverpool's Emre Can clashes with Chelsea's Diego Costa during the Football League Cup Semi-Final 2nd Leg match at Stamford Bridge. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Praise for Mignolet and Lucas – Liverpool fans and ex-players react to Chelsea defeat

Liverpool lost 1-0 to Chelsea after extra-time on Tuesday, and we look at how those associated with the Reds reacted on social media during and after a pulsating contest.

LONDON, ENGLAND - Tuesday, January 27, 2015: Liverpool's Emre Can clashes with Chelsea's Diego Costa during the Football League Cup Semi-Final 2nd Leg match at Stamford Bridge. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

It was a heartbreaking evening for Liverpool, who performed so valiantly throughout a fantastic game, and more than matched supposedly the best team in the country for 120 minutes.

Branislav Ivanovic’s 95th-minute header was the difference between the two sides on the night, but there was so much more to it than that.

Diego Costa twice stamped on Reds players- Emre Can and Martin Skrtel- and clashed with Steven Gerrard, but inexcusably went unpunished, while Lucas Leiva and Jordan Henderson were both fortunate not to receive red cards too.

There were terrific individual performances all over the pitch by Liverpool players, whether it be Simon Mignolet‘s heroics in goal, Lucas’ never-say-die attitude in the middle of the park or Philippe Coutinho‘s magical footwork in attacking areas.

Substitute Mario Balotelli certainly has a lot to answer for after a less than satisfactory cameo, and he seemed to ruin what had been a fantastic team effort.

Here is how social media reacted to the game.

‘ShadesOfRed’ on the forum:

There was a lot of fear among some that Chelsea would embarrass us over two legs and that certainly hasn’t been the case. Gutted… but much more optimistic about the second half of the season especially with Sturridge coming back.

https://twitter.com/LusbyLatest/status/560201777426214912

‘ptt’ on the forum:

Brilliant game, simply wonderful. We need a striker, we know that. We knew that when Suarez left. But after going toe to toe with the league leaders twice and only narrowly going down, it’s obvious that last season wasn’t just down to Suarez.

https://twitter.com/beccaparry10/status/560200950854737920

Let us know your thoughts on the game in the comments section below.