Kepa famously blanked Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri during the 2019 Wembley derby against Manchester City, which Chelsea eventually lost on penalties. The result was the same this time, as Liverpool won, but his part and circumstances were very different.
Kepa was called in to replace the magnificent Edouard Mendy in the last stages of extra time in a memorable goalless EFL Cup final, rather than turning a deaf ear to the instructions of an enraged manager who feared he was carrying an injury.
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel relied on Kepa's reputation as a penalty specialist, but he was not rewarded as he failed to save any of Liverpool's 11 penalties, then fired the decisive spot-kick in the approximate direction of the North Circular to give Liverpool the victory.
From the start, it was evident that this was a game that would be decided by razor-thin margins or a key decision.
Chelsea had three goals disallowed, including one from Romelu Lukaku due to a millimetre-wide offside call, while Mason Mount had two stunning misses.
Christian Pulisic was denied an early goal by Liverpool keeper Caoimhin Kelleher, who justified manager Jurgen Klopp's decision to select him ahead of normal first-choice Alisson with a confident performance and a successful penalty kick.
Tuchel's team most likely edged Liverpool on clean chances. Their main issue was that they missed them and had to pay the penalty.
After Mount's second key miss, placed against the post with only Kelleher to beat and no-one near him, Tuchel fell to the ground and beat the turf several times in frustration.
Liverpool answered back as two outstanding teams traded chances, Chelsea keeper Mendy twice saving brilliantly within seconds in the first half from Naby Keita and miraculously from Senegal team-mate Sadio Mane.
It was end-to-end from first to last, the outcome uncertain all the way for 120 minutes, the tension stretching out into a display of penalty expertise from both sides that went right down to the two keepers.
For Liverpool, it was Klopp's first domestic cup and the start of what is shaping up to be a four-pronged attack for silverware this season.
The manner in which they eventually crossed the finish line was a testament to their own quality and tenacity, as well as Chelsea's own performance.
There was nothing between the two sides, but this was no stand-off stalemate in which they waited for the first error. From the start, Chelsea and Liverpool were determined to win.
There was no let-up in the enthusiasm, talent, passion, and drive of two sides that have earned their rightful place among the elite in domestic and European football.
It is not beyond the bounds of possibility that the paths of Chelsea and Liverpool will cross again in cup competition before the season is out as they both continue to contest the FA Cup and Champions League.
Tuchel's decision to bring in Kepa was decisive. It did not work out but there was a method in what he did given the keeper's previous successes.
It is easy to be wise after the event and criticise the manager but he showed the courage of his convictions.
It was clearly premeditated when it went to penalties but it must have been tough for Tuchel given the sheer brilliance of Mendy's performance before his substitution.
