Virgil van Dijk’s late header in extra time secured the Carabao Cup for Liverpool, dealing a heartbreaking blow to Chelsea in a tightly contested final.
The Reds captain rose to meet a corner from Kostas Tsimikas in the 118th minute, sparking scenes of jubilation after initially having a goal disallowed by VAR.
In a closely fought match, Chelsea had their chances early on, with Caoimhin Kelleher denying Cole Palmer’s attempt and Raheem Sterling’s goal ruled out for offside.
Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo struck the post with a header, and VAR intervened to disallow Van Dijk’s goal due to Wataru Endo’s offside position.
Chelsea pressed for victory in normal time, but Conor Gallagher hit the post, and Liverpool’s depleted side, featuring several teenagers due to injuries, held firm.
Harvey Elliott and Jayden Danns came close for Liverpool in extra time, but Djordje Petrovic denied them.
Here are the key points from the match:
1. Klopp’s remarkable achievement: Despite missing numerous key players and fielding a youthful lineup, Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool managed to secure victory in the Carabao Cup final. This triumph showcases Klopp’s ability to instill a winning mentality in his team and underscores his impact since joining the club in 2015.
2. Liverpool’s injury woes: The absence of Mo Salah highlighted Liverpool’s injury crisis, with numerous key players sidelined for the final. Klopp’s team selection reflected the extent of the injury problems, with youngsters featuring prominently on the bench. Ryan Gravenberch’s injury further compounded Liverpool’s woes during the match.
3. Chelsea’s resilience: Despite being underdogs against a strong Liverpool side, Chelsea grew into the game and created opportunities of their own. Kelleher’s heroics prevented Chelsea from taking the lead early on, but their performance improved as the game progressed.
4. Conor Bradley’s emergence: Liverpool’s injury crisis provided an opportunity for Conor Bradley to showcase his talent. The Northern Irish youngster impressed with his performance, demonstrating his willingness to contribute both defensively and offensively. Klopp leaves behind a promising asset in Bradley for his successor.
5. VAR controversy: Van Dijk’s disallowed goal reignited the debate surrounding VAR’s use in football. The decision to overturn the goal raised questions about the technology’s effectiveness and its impact on the game’s flow and interpretationof key moments.
