7 of football’s worst-ever subs after Kepa calamity – from Gerrard to Zaza

All eyes were on Kepa Arrizabalaga when he stepped up to take the 22nd, and final, spot-kick of the 21/22 Carabao Cup final.

Thomas Tuchel had taken the brave decision to hook Edouard Mendy for the Spanish shot-stopper, specifically for the penalty shoot-out.

However, things didn't go exactly to plan when Kepa conceded all 11 of Liverpool's penalties before blazing his high and wide.

Football is littered with poor managerial decisions when it comes to substituting players.

And Daily Star Sport has looked at seven of the worst substitutions in history after Kepa's calamity on Sunday evening.

Kepa Arrizabalaga vs Liverpool

Ever since Louis van Gaal took the bold decision to swap Jasper Cillessen for Tim Krul at the 2014 World Cup, there's been an increasing trend of managers bringing on keepers for a shoot-out.

Sunday evening's substitution that saw Mendy hooked for Kepa might have been the worst example of this.

The shoot-out couldn't have gone any worse for Kepa, he failed to stop any of Liverpool's penalties before delivering the worst spot-kick of the night.

Jamie Redknapp fumed after the game: "Mendy's one of the world's best goalkeepers, and then you bring on Kepa instead, ridiculous."

What do you think the worst substitution in history is? Let us know in the comments section

Steven Gerrard vs Manchester United

Steven Gerrard has plenty of great memories against Manchester United, but his 2015 display was a 'moment of madness'.

As a half-time substitute, Gerrard replaced Adam Lallana, only to see himself given his marching order 38 seconds later.

Gerrard recalled: "It had taken me just 38 seconds to get myself sent off against United. Thirty-eight seconds in which I had been at the heart of every small cameo of action and a ferocious display of rage.

"It had been, in the end, 38 seconds defined by anger and a kind of madness."

Simone Zaza vs Germany

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Like Kepa, Simone Zaza had been trusted to come on and take a penalty at Euro 2016 when he replaced Giorgio Chiellini.

However, unlike Kepa, Zaza's job was to score one penalty; he didn't have to attempt to save 11 others.

Zaza's penalty has gone down in infamy – the slow stuttering run-up, trying to off Manuel Neuer, only to blast the ball over the bar.

Italy were knocked out of the tournament on penalties as a result, while Germany were dumped out in the following round.

Ali Dia vs Leeds United

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Ali Dia is perhaps the most infamous substitute in history.

After claiming to be George Weah's cousin, Dia bagged himself a move to Southampton.

And after Graeme Souness famously didn't watch him in training, Dia replaced Matt Le Tissier in a Premier League fixture with Leeds United in 1996.

However, after running around like 'Bambi on ice' Souness hooked Dia for Ken Monkou after 32 minutes.

Eidur Gudjohnsen, Frank Lampard, Damien Duff vs Newcastle

During his early days at Chelsea, Jose Mourinho looked to be untouchable.

However, in an FA Cup clash with Newcastle United in the Special One proved he could get things wrong, and spectacularly.

After a dismal first-half display, Mourinho made all three of his substitutions at the break – binging on Eidur Gudjohnsen, Frank Lampard, and Damien Duff.

But Wayne Bridge was injured shortly after, Duff also struggled, while William Gallas finished the game limping – Chelsea's keeper, Carlo Cudicini was also sent off.

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