Virgil van Dijk’s header deep into extra-time won the Carabao Cup for Liverpool as Chelsea’s hearts were broken.
The Reds skipper headed in a Kostas Tsimikas corner in the 118th minute to spark delirious scenes, having earlier had a goal disallowed by VAR.
A tight final almost saw Chelsea take the lead after 20 minutes only for Liverpool’s Caoimhin Kelleher to brilliantly deny Cole Palmer, before Raheem Sterling had a goal chalked off for Chelsea as Nicolas Jackson was offside.
Cody Gakpo then hit the post with a header for Liverpool, while the Reds were denied what they thought was the opener when Van Dijk’s header was ruled out by VAR for an offside against Wataru Endo.
Liverpool fans furious with Conor Bradley decision after Moises Caicedo avoids punishment
Conor Gallagher hit the post for Chelsea as the Blues pressed for a winner in normal time against a depleted Liverpool side, who threw on several of their youngsters given injuries to so many of their senior stars.
Harvey Elliott fired into the side netting and teenager Jayden Danns had a header tipped over in extra-time, before Elliott’s close range header was brilliantly saved by Djordje Petrovic. Here are the main talking points.
1. Klopp’s quadruple quest goes on
How on earth they did it perhaps only he knows, but despite being deprived of so many players and ending the match with a remarkably young side including Bobby Clark, James McConnell, Jarell Quansah and Danns – who only made his professional debut on Wednesday – Jurgen Klopp has seen his side claim the first of what could be four trophies this season.
This was a determined effort full of spirit and a will to win that has been instilled in the club ever since Klopp arrived in 2015, and will be so, so hard to replace when he leaves. That old line about doubters to believers was in full evidence here, and how he makes this club believe.
2. Liverpool’s list of absentees is ridiculous
There a hope, albeit a fleeting one, that Mo Salah might be included in the Liverpool squad when he was spotted on the Wembley turf chatting to his good friend Kostas Tsimikas before the match, but sadly his was always slated to be a watching brief.
The two changes Klopp made from the 4-1 win over Luton – Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate in for Joe Gomez and Quansah – did make his team stronger, but Salah’s absence is just the tip of an injury iceberg, and it was quite startling to see a Liverpool teamsheet for a a major final which included so many youngsters on the bench, given those who were absent here.
Another would soon join the list of the walking wounded as Ryan Gravenberch was taken off on a stretcher following a fearsome challenge from Moises Caicedo, and with so many key players not present it was obvious that this Liverpool afternoon was going to be more about desire than dainty football.
3. Chelsea grew into the game
Caoimhin Kelleher made a superb stop from Cole Palmer in the first half
Caoimhin Kelleher made a superb stop from Cole Palmer in the first half ( Image: Kieran McManus/REX/Shutterstock)
Chelsea would know that if everyone fit and available on both sides then they would be massive underdogs here, they were well beaten by a much stronger Liverpool side at Anfield just three-and-a-half weeks ago after all.
But after taking their time to scope out just what type of Liverpool this was in front of them they grew into the game, and would have led were it not for a superb save from Kelleher to deny Palmer in the 20th minute.
Sterling saw his close range strike chalked off for Jackson’s offside shortly afterwards, and you could almost see Chelsea’s players growing taller as the game developed. Gakpo’s header which hit the post could have put Liverpool ahead, but it was the Blues who appeared to carry more threat.
4. Conor Bradley has got the fight to go to the top
Conor Bradley moved forward to the right win after Gravenberch was taken off
Conor Bradley moved forward to the right win after Gravenberch was taken off ( Image: Getty Images)
If there is one good thing to emerge from Liverpool’s injury issues then it is Conor Bradley. The Northern Irish youngster would have been seen earlier in the season but for an injury of his own, but ever since he arrived into the team at the turn of the year he looks like he’s always been there.
Bradley was required to move further forward following the injury to Gravenberch, and while he’s obviously never going to replicate Salah there, he was always a willing runner and always looking to trouble Ben Chilwell – quite literally when the pair clashed towards the end of the half. Klopp won’t be around to see Bradley blossom, but he is leaving behind a fine talent to whomever replaces him.
5. VAR denies VVD… until it doesn’t
Virgil van Dijk’s header was ruled out by VAR
The EFL made the decision not to have VAR throughout all rounds of the Carabao Cup this season because Football League sides were in the competition and couldn’t use the technology. Unfortunately for Van Dijk, it came in for the final.
