Europa League Liverpool ensured Jurgen Klopp’s final season would end with silverware after Virgil van Dijk’s extra-time goal beat Chelsea by 1-0 in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday.
A thrilling finale, which saw both teams denied a goal by VAR, ended goalless after 90 minutes, with the Liverpool captain finally netting a corner in the 28th minute of extra time decided Liverpool captain’s glancing header.
Liverpool entered the final with 10 first-team players, including Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez, missing through injury. But roared on by their rabid supporters, they battled bravely to see off Chelsea.
The win kept alive Liverpool’s hopes of an unlikely quadruple and saw them extend the Carabao Cup for a record 10th time.
Chelsea’s run to the final emerged as a silver lining for coach Mauricio Pochettino after a bleak first season in charge of the West London side, but with Sunday’s defeat, the former Tottenham boss is yet to lift the trophy in England.
Pochettino’s side made a shaky start to the final but almost took the lead in the 21st minute through Cole Palmer, whose close-range shot was superbly saved by Cummin Kelleher.
Liverpool’s already depleted squad took a further hit when Ryan Gravenbruch took a tough challenge from Moises Cacido and had to replaced by Joe Gomez in the 28th minute.
Liverpool’s victory over Chelsea saw them win the Carabao Cup for a record 10th time.
Raheem Sterling thought he had given Chelsea the lead in the 31st minute. Still, the assistant referee correctly recognized that Nicholas Jackson had strayed offside moments earlier when he crossed for the England forward.
At the other end, it was the post that denied Liverpool an opener, when Cody Gakpo’s header from Andy Robertson’s cross left Djordje Petrovic in the spot but hit too straight.
Van Dijk’s powerful header from Robertson’s free-kick on the hour mark sparked wild celebrations in Wembley’s red half, but Wataru Ando ruled out for offside after a lengthy VAR check.
The revival boosted Chelsea’s resolve, and they almost took the lead in the 77th minute when Conor Gallagher’s shot from Palmer hit the far post.
The two combined to create another gilt-edged chance in the 85th minute, only for Gallagher to be thwarted by another brilliant save from Kelleher.
Klopp’s lack of options on the bench was opened up by his substitutions late on, with teenagers James McConnell and Jaden Dennis replacing Alexis McAllister and Gakpo respectively.
Denis, who made his Liverpool debut against Luton Town last week, came close to scoring in added time but his header tipped over the bar by Djordje Petrovic.
Liverpool continued to press for a goal as Chelsea eased up, and Harvey Elliott almost went close, but Petrovic well saved his away header.
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