In a dramatic climax to the Carabao Cup final, Liverpool emerged victorious with a nail-biting 1-0 win over Chelsea, courtesy of a last-gasp header by Virgil van Dijk in extra time.
Jurgen Klopp’s farewell season now boasts a significant trophy, as his resilient side clinched a hard-fought victory at Wembley Stadium.
Early in the encounter, both teams had their opportunities, with Chelsea’s goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic making crucial saves to deny attempts from Alexis Mac Allister and Luis Diaz.
Liverpool’s Caoimhin Kelleher also showcased his prowess with an incredible close-range save to thwart Cole Palmer’s shot.
Despite spirited efforts, goals from Raheem Sterling and Van Dijk were disallowed by VAR for offside. The breakthrough finally came with just two minutes remaining in extra time. Van Dijk soared above the defence to head in a corner, igniting jubilation among the Liverpool faithful.
Reflecting on the triumph, Klopp expressed disbelief, describing the events at Wembley as “absolutely insane.”
Despite facing a depleted squad due to injuries, Klopp commended the resilience of his young players, remarking, “I am sure we brought on all the kids! We needed fresh legs, they were fresh but very young, but they did the job. The boys have trained for a long time with us; they know exactly what we have to do.
Acknowledging the contributions of individual players, Klopp praised the performances of Harvey Elliot, Wataru Endo, Conor Bradley, and Caoimhin Kelleher, highlighting their exceptional displays throughout the match.
“They are a pain, to be honest, that is what you have to be in these moments. But not only them, how about Harvey Elliot for 120 minutes, [Wataru] Endo walked to the ceremony with the stiffest legs.
“We didn’t mention Conor [Bradley], he was so good. Caoimhin [Kelleher], he was so good.
“We have the best keeper in the world and the best number two,” Klopp concluded, lauding the collective effort that secured Liverpool’s triumph in the Carabao Cup final.