Report and free highlights from the Carabao Cup final at Wembley Stadium between Chelsea and Liverpool | Virgil van Dijk's last-ditch header in extra-time seals silverware for Jurgen Klopp and his side.
Monday 26 February 2024 07:58, UK
Virgil van Dijk headed a 118th-minute winner to seal the Carabao Cup for Liverpool with a 1-0 win over Chelsea.
Jurgen Klopp's swansong season has guaranteed at least one piece of silverware for the club, but it took a long time to get there in a topsy-turvy encounter that somehow stayed goalless for nearly the duration at Wembley.
There were posts hit at each end, VAR foils for each team and a string of chances denied. But with penalties looming it was Van Dijk who settled it, rising highest to head in from a corner. It is the 10th time Liverpool have won this cup, increasing their position as the most successful team in the history of the competition ahead of Manchester City (eight).
For Chelsea there will only be regret, and Mauricio Pochettino's wait for a first trophy in England continues.
"In extra-time it's been Klopp's kids against the blue, billion-pound bottlejobs," said Sky Sports' Gary Neville.
It was an engaging opening at Wembley, with both goalkeepers tested early on. First Chelsea's Djordje Petrovic was called into action twice in quick succession from Alexis Mac Allister and Luis Diaz. Then, at the other end, Caoimhin Kelleher produced an unbelievable stop from point-blank range to deny Cole Palmer.
The chances kept coming. Raheem Sterling had the ball in the net for Chelsea, but VAR narrowly ruled Nicolas Jackson offside in the build-up. Cody Gakpo then rattled the Blues post with a header.
VAR figured heavily again on the hour. Van Dijk thought he had headed Liverpool in front from a free-kick but, after a lengthy check, Wataru Endo was deemed to be offside in the build-up, impeding Levi Colwill - who was prevented from reaching the Reds captain.
The see-saw swung Chelsea's way again as they took their turn to rattle the woodwork, with Conor Gallagher in disbelief he hadn't scored after prodding Palmer's cross against the post from six yards. Several minutes later Gallagher was denied once more, slipped through by Palmer but not getting the ball out of his feet quickly enough to beat the onrushing Kelleher.
More chaos ensued in the Liverpool box, but no way through was found, and the game moved into extra-time, during which Petrovic denied Harvey Elliott's close-range header with his leg at the near post.
Finally, with two minutes left of extra-time that breakthrough was found. Van Dijk rose again, this time from a corner, to nod in at the Liverpool end, sending the Reds into bedlam.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp on Sky Sports:
"What happened here this afternoon is absolutely insane. These things are not possible.
"Besides, we had a team, a squad with an academy full of character. It's unbelievable what happened here. I'm so proud that I could be part of it. Wow.
"The crazy stuff is, we deserved it. We had lucky moments, they had lucky moments. That's the game, it was a tough game - it was almost 150 minutes with all the extra-times. The boys showed up, it was so good.
"I'm pretty sure when we were bringing on all the kids that people were thinking: 'Okay that's it now, they've given up with a game on Wednesday'.
"It was really not the case, we thought we needed fresh legs. They were fresh legs, but very young. They did the job. Dannsy headed the ball on the crossbar, the other one was scrappy. James, Bobby, what they did - unbelievable."
Klopp added in his victorious post-match press conference:
"I loved it. What we see today is so exceptional. We might never see it again, these things don't happen in football. Apparently you don't win trophies with kids, I didn't know that.
"It is easily the most special trophy I've ever won. It's absolutely exceptional. I wish I could feel pride more often, tonight that's the overwhelming feeling.
"I couldn't care less about my legacy, I'm not here to create one. I'm here to do the job. We've learned so much in this time. From time to time you need something to really celebrate, this was so special."
Sky Sports' Gary Neville:
"In extra time it's been Klopp's kids against the blue billion-pound bottle jobs.
"Liverpool have been absolutely sensational. Those young players have been incredible. Klopp must be so proud.
"However, for Chelsea, I have no sympathy for them whatsoever. Mauricio Pochettino's players have shrunk. They have shrunk right in front of our eyes and in front of their fans.
"This will sting for Chelsea. Before the game, with Liverpool's injuries, you think Chelsea could have won. The Liverpool's kids come on and you think they should win. But then there was just something holding you back because you couldn't see Jurgen Klopp watching Chelsea go up and lift the trophy.
"The Chelsea players will regret that extra time for a long, long time. I thought they played quite well and punched hard in normal time. They were a little unlucky. But in the real crux of the game in extra time, where they had Liverpool by the scruff of the neck with those young kids, Chelsea didn't turn up. They didn't perform.
"You cannot do that. It was in half time of extra time Pochettino had to get them in a huddle and try to rouse them. What was up with them?
"I'm really disappointed with Chelsea in that extra time period. You can lose any final and you can lose any game of football, but you cannot play like that. You cannot shrink and go back, particularly when Liverpool had five kids on the pitch.
"They had to go for their throats."
Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino:
"If you compare the age of the two groups, it's similar. I have a good relationship with Gary, I can respect his opinion. We made a few changes for extra time, but we didn't keep the energy. For sure I feel proud. They made a big effort.
"We have a young team, and nothing to compare with Liverpool because they finished with young players on the pitch. It's not fair to talk in this way, if he said that. We're going to keep being strong and believing in this project."
Pochettino added to Sky Sports:
"It's always difficult when you lose a final because you have the chances. It's one game.
"We lost in the last minute of the game. So painful. Now we have to take the positive things, keep going, push and use this type of game to learn and do better and only be positive. We really competed. In some periods of the game I think we deserved more. But if you don't score with the chances we had, five or six big chances, it's difficult to win the final.
"You need to be clinical in front of the goal. We need to congratulate Liverpool and keep going."
Pochettino admitted his players began to focus on taking the final to a penalty shootout as their legs started to tire during extra time.
He said: "Some players like [Conor] Gallagher and Chilly [Ben Chilwell] start to feel really, really tired and maybe [we] use different players to go with and help. We need to change Gallagher after five minutes and then in the start of the second 15 minutes, I think Chilwell. The team started to feel that maybe the penalties will be good for us.
"But we cannot blame, we cannot say nothing. I think the effort was massive. I am happy with the effort. It's about 'keep believing in that'. We didn't get the reward we wanted, but now we keep moving."
Sky Sports' Jamie Carragher:
"This result just tells you that football isn't all about money. It's about getting the right players and creating a connection between those players, the manager and the supporters.
"Liverpool have that in abundance. There's no doubt Chelsea have quality but they still haven't found that connection this season."
Chelsea welcome Leeds United to Stamford Bridge in the FA Cup fifth round at 7.30pm on Wednesday night. The Blues then visit Brentford in the Premier League on Saturday; kick off 3pm.
Liverpool host Southampton in the FA Cup fifth round on Wednesday at 8pm. Jurgen Klopp's side visit Nottingham Forest in the Premier League next Saturday at 3pm.
