Dean Henderson was the standout performer in Sunday’s English Super Cup as Crystal Palace triumphed over Liverpool at Wembley. The Eagles goalkeeper saved two penalties in the shootout, helping Palace secure a historic victory — their second trophy at the legendary stadium in less than three months.
Henderson has long been renowned for his penalty shootout prowess, with only 62% of penalties scored against him. During the shootout, cameras caught him consulting notes on Liverpool’s penalty takers, demonstrating meticulous preparation not only on their preferred shooting directions but also on their techniques.
Expert analysis of penalty tactics during Crystal Palace vs Liverpool
Crystal Palace's Dean Henderson pictured in August 2025
Norwegian sports psychologist Dr Geir Jordet, an expert in football psychology, analysed the shootout in detail on “X” (formerly Twitter), breaking down the strategies used by both goalkeepers and penalty takers.
Penalty taker types:
Goalkeeper-independent technique: These players decide where to shoot before their run-up and stick to it regardless of the keeper’s movements. Henderson’s save from Alexis Mac Allister’s penalty is a prime example.
Goalkeeper-dependent technique: These takers read the goalkeeper’s initial movement and adjust their shot to the opposite side. Eberechi Eze’s penalty, saved by Alisson, fits this category.
Goalkeeper strategies:
Early commitment: Against goalkeeper-independent takers, keepers dive early, having studied their preferred side in advance. Henderson used this tactic to great effect against Mac Allister and Harry Kane (the latter save dating back to August 2022)
Standing still: Facing goalkeeper-dependent takers, keepers delay movement to force rushed, less accurate shots. Both Henderson and Alisson employ this approach.
Deceptive movement: Goalkeepers use feints to confuse takers, changing direction at the last moment. Jordet cites Yann Sommer’s memorable save against Jorginho in the 2021 Switzerland-Italy World Cup qualifier as an example.
The mental chess match behind penalties
Dean Henderson, Justin Devenny and Jean-Philippe Mateta of Crystal Palace celebrate winning the Community Shield on August 10, 2025
Jordet’s analysis reveals the penalty as a sophisticated psychological duel. Goalkeepers prepare for the takers’ tendencies, while penalty takers develop “countermeasures” to remain unpredictable.
Elite strikers like Harry Kane and Robert Lewandowski alternate between goalkeeper-independent and -dependent techniques, making it harder for goalkeepers to anticipate their shots.
The key takeaway: penalty shootouts today are less about luck and more about tactical preparation, analysis, and mental strength. Goalkeepers like Dean Henderson excel not just through reflexes, but through studying opponents and anticipating their strategies. Similarly, successful penalty takers vary their approach to avoid predictability.
Below, check out the full thread:
He obviously has mapped opponent penalty takers - but not just WHERE they shoot.
Also the TECHNIQUE they use.
I'll explain here: pic.twitter.com/krD6eBlb2f
— Geir Jordet (@GeirJordet) August 10, 2025
This article was originally published on Trivela.
ID:579055:1false2false3false: from db desktop :LenBod:collect5502: