Chelsea vs Liverpool LIVE: Carabao Cup final result and reaction after Virgil van Dijk nets extra-time winner
Chelsea 0-1 Liverpool (AET): Virgil van Dijk’s headed effort was the difference and wins the league cup for Jurgen Klopp’s men
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Your support makes all the difference.Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk headed the winner deep into extra time as Jurgen Klopp’s massively-depleted side beat Chelsea 1-0 to claim a record-extending 10th Carabao Cup. The Dutch defender, who controversially had another header ruled out at the same end in the second half after VAR intervention, rose above Mykhailo Mudryk to nod in Kostas Tsimikas’ corner in the 118th minute.
It was no more than the Netherlands international, lifting his first trophy as Liverpool captain, deserved after a monumental performance in defence in a win which seemed against the odds for long periods. Klopp became the third Liverpool manager to win the trophy more than once as his long goodbye to his departure at the end of the season began with the first of a potential four pieces of silverware. But for opposite number Mauricio Pochettinohis long wait for an English domestic trophy continues.
Relive the action from Wembley:
Gary Neville gives brutal verdict on Chelsea squad after Carabao Cup final heartbreak
Gary Neville wrote the headlines when he made a decisive statement in the aftermath of Virgil van Dijk’s winning goal for Liverpool against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final.
The game looked like it might go to penalties without a goal, just like the 2022 final had done between the two sides, but Liverpool’s captain and most experienced player timed his run perfectly to head home a Kostas Tsimikas corner with just three minutes of extra time remaining.
When the final whistle blew, Neville, proclaimed as co-commentator on Sky Sports: “(Jurgen) Klopp’s kids against the blue billion-pound bottlejobs”.
Gary Neville’s brutal verdict on Chelsea squad after Carabao Cup final heartbreak
Gary Neville was very criticial of Chelsea’s squad and performance in the aftermath of the final
Jurgen Klopp’s youngsters leave Chelsea with a billion regrets after late Carabao Cup victory
By the end, it was the sort of side only seen on the pitch together in pre-season friendlies. There was Jayden Danns, James McConnell and Bobby Clark, who have two first-team starts for Liverpool between them. And they were taking on Chelsea, flush from spending £1bn, in the most expensive makeover in footballing history.
But money couldn’t buy Chelsea a trophy or the spirit, ambition and resolve of Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool side. The first silverware of the season, the first of a possible quadruple, went to the kindergarten Klopps, to the kids who left Chelsea with a billion regrets. This was another example of Klopp’s ability to script the improbable. The last chapters in his story may be as astonishing as some of the earlier ones.
Klopp’s youngsters leave Chelsea with a billion regrets after League Cup victory
Chelsea 0-1 Liverpool: Jurgen Klopp’s youngsters snatched a late victory against the Blues’ expensive stars
Jamie Redknapp on magic of Jurgen Klopp
Speaking on Sky Sports, former Liverpool player Jamie Redknapp said: “What a man. How do you follow that? How do you follow Jurgen Klopp?
“Trying to come to Liverpool after what he’s done and what he’s created, it’s virtually impossible. It is. The guy is just such a leader of men.
“He’s led a city, every Liverpool fan around the world has looked up to that man and what he’s achieved.
“He’s turned around a club that was struggling at the time and made everyone believe in what he was trying to achieve, and even those young players he has given opportunities to, the belief he has got in all of them.
“He’s just an incredible human being.”
Liverpool win the Carabao Cup
The celebrations begin for Liverpool, the new Carabao Cup champions.
Liverpool win the Carabao Cup
The Liverpool fans serenade the team and managers with a rendition of ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ and Klopp looks emotional on the Wembley pitch.
Here’s the team lifting the cup:
Post-match reaction from Van Dijk
The Liverpool captain was asked if he is savouring this moment with manager Jurgen Klopp who is leaving at the end of the season. He replied: “You should always savour the good moments, this is definitely one of them.
“Listen, we will never take things for granted and you see today it could have been the other was as well that we lost but we did a job, even with all the problems we have had before the game.
“I’m so proud, proud to be part of this club and especially proud of the boys.”
Liverpool’s matchwinner Virgil van Dijk speaking to Sky Sports
“So much. All the young boys on the pitch, in extra time. It’s incredible, I’m so proud of the team.
“Intense game for both sides, they had chances we had chances. Amazing. First trophy as Liverpool captain, it’s all for the fans so let’s enjoy it.
“It’s emotion, it’s everything I am so proud of the boys. All of the young boys playing their part in what we achieved today it’s incredible and on to more.”
FT Chelsea 0-1 Liverpool
Jurgen Klopp and Virgil van Dijk meet in the middle of the stands and the Liverpool captain lifts the cup with his head coach. They hoist it into the sky and the music plays.
The celebrations begin, Liverpol are the Carabao Cup champions for 2024.
Extra-time full-time! Chelsea 0-1 Liverpool
120+3 mins: There goes the whistle! Liverpool have done it. With their youngsters and the experienced head of Virgil van Dijk the Reds have come to Wembley and swept Chelsea aside again.
Jurgen Klopp celebrates. The fans celebrate. Liverpool are the Carabao Cup champions.
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