Liverpool have been compelled to grit their enamel and battle via ache and adversity, however got here up trumps on the finish of additional time to beat Chelsea and win the League Cup!
Liverpool 1-0 Chelsea (AET)
Carabao Cup Remaining, Wembley
February 25, 2024
Objectives
Van Dijk 119′ (help – Tsimikas)
With all of the nerves of a Wembley ultimate, Liverpool started the afternoon in an analogous vein to midweek in opposition to Luton – dominant, however with out the crowning glory.
It was really Chelsea, who began quietly, whose efforts virtually bore fruit early on, however Caoimhin Kelleher pulled off a shocking save to disclaim Cole Palmer earlier than an enormous block from Wataru Endo.
A transparent foul from Moises Caicedo – ignored by referee Chris Kavanagh – compelled Ryan Gravenberch off with an early harm and compelled Jurgen Klopp into an early change.
Joe Gomez got here on, with Harvey Elliott transferring into midfield and Conor Bradley pushing forward to the suitable wing.
Chelsea had the ball at the back of the web quickly after, with Nicolas Jackson drifting between Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate and feeding Raheem Sterling for the end, however the objective was dominated out for offside.
An excellent flowing transfer noticed Andy Robertson tee Cody Gakpo for a header that left Djordje Petrovic rooted however bounced off the publish, whereas Luis Diaz handed when he might have shot quickly after, with Liverpool ending the half degree however within the ascendency.
HT: Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea
There have been, unsurprisingly given the shortage of choices, no adjustments for Liverpool on the break, with Chelsea beginning arguably the stronger of the 2 sides.
Elliott was brighter after transferring to his extra pure position as a No. 8, and an arrowed, left-footed volley went near breaking the impasse, just for a wise save from Petrovic.
Van Dijk powered in a luxurious header for what 1-0, however Kavanagh and the VAR workforce one way or the other dominated the objective out for an offside Endo, who had blocked Levi Colwill within the buildup.
At both finish there have been huge possibilities missed, first from Chelsea‘s Axel Disasi after which Gakpo for Liverpool, who powered over the bar after wonderful work from Diaz.
Klopp made an comprehensible tweak because the tiring Bradley got here off, the supervisor displaying his religion in 19-year-old Bobby Clark who went into midfield as Elliott returned to the assault.
Conor Gallagher was inches away from scoring with a flick following Palmer’s trickery, just for the ball to bounce again off the publish, with the midfielder denied once more in a while by the excellent Kelleher.
There have been three extra adjustments for the Reds together with Jayden Danns’ cup bow, with the striker approaching together with Kostas Tsimikas and James McConnell as Robertson, Gakpo and Alexis Mac Allister made means.
A flurry of photographs from Chelsea – two saves from Kelleher and blocks from Gomez and Konate – paved the best way for the top of 90 minutes and the beginning of additional time.
Finish of 90 minutes: Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea
Further time started with a spell of possession from Liverpool and an opportunity for Danns after Van Dijk’s header throughout objective, with {the teenager}’s effort pushed over the bar.
The travelling Kop thought Elliott had lastly opened the scoring, however the Man of the Match contender might solely steer his left-footed volley into the side-netting.
A tense ultimate quarter-hour ended with, fittingly, a superb headed objective from Van Dijk to convey the League Cup again to Anfield!
TIA Man of the Match: Virgil van Dijk
Referee: Chris Kavanagh
Liverpool: Kelleher; Bradley (Clark 72′), Konate (Quansah 105′), Van Dijk, Robertson (Tsimikas 87′); Endo, Mac Allister (McConnell 87′), Gravenberch (Gomez 28′); Elliott, Diaz, Gakpo (Danns 87′)
Subs not used: Adrian, Nyoni, Koumas
Chelsea: Petrovic; Gusto, Disasi, Colwill, Chilwell (Chalobah 113′); Caicedo, Fernandez; Palmer, Gallagher (Madueke 97′), Sterling (Nkunku 66′); Jackson (Mudryk 90′)
Subs not used: Sanchez, Bettinelli, Gee, Gilchrist, Tauriainen
Subsequent match: Southampton (H) – FA Cup fifth Spherical – Wednesday, February 28, 8pm (GMT)