Fewer penalties were needed this time, however, as Alisson Becker saved Mason Mount's spot kick, which gave Kostas Tsimikas the chance to become the unlikely hero.

The Greece international is not a regular starter for Liverpool, but coolly slotted home to spark joyous celebrations from those in red.

Liverpool's players engulfed Tsimikas, manager Jurgen Klopp sprinted towards his men and the fans set off flares to saturate the air with a tint of red.

The club's anthem 'You'll Never Walk Alone' echoed around the stadium as Liverpool fans serenaded a team which has given them a first FA Cup win at Wembley in 30 years.

Such is the caliber of this Liverpool side, however, celebrations will have to be short-lived as there are other challenges on the horizon -- a Champions League final at the end of the month, and two Premier League matches in which to try to overhaul Manchester City's three point advantage at the top of the league.

Chances galore

Even an occasion as traditional as this -- a marching band before kick-off, Royalty presenting the trophy -- recognises world events.

Like many a grand sporting occasion, political statements were made.

First, Liverpool fans booed the English national anthem, then captains and officials stood with the Ukrainian flag which had the words 'PEACE' emblazoned in black capital letters and, just before this oldest of competitions got underway, the players took the knee.

The match was just minutes old when Liverpool got its first chance.

In truth, the men in red should have scored at least once, such was their domination of the first 15 minutes, but Thiago, the outstanding Luis Diaz, Mo Salah and Mane floundered in front of goal.

Though Chelsea played second fiddle for most of the first half, arguably the Londoners had the best chance of that period with only a world-class save from Liverpool's Alisson -- a dive low to the feet of Marcos Alonso -- preventing them from going ahead.

The early exit of Salah, Liverpool's leading scorer this season, through injury added to Liverpool's increased sense of anxiety as the half progressed but, even without the Egyptian, the Reds were able to reassert their dominance before the break.

Indeed, Salah's replacement, Diogo Jota, should have put Klopp's men ahead just before the break.

Just as Liverpool had in the first half, Chelsea made a bright start in the second.