Liverpool Jurgen Klopp's final season is sure to end in trophies after that Virgil van DijkThe extra time goal gave them a 1-0 win Chelsea In the Carabao Cup final on Sunday.
A frantic final, which saw both teams denied goals by VAR, was scoreless after 90 minutes, before it was finally decided in the 28th minute of extra time by the Liverpool captain's glancing header from a corner kick.
– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (US)
Liverpool entered the final with 10 first-team players, including… Mohamed Salah And Darwin NunezMissing due to injury. But, to the raucous shouts of their fans, they competed bravely to beat Chelsea.
The win kept Liverpool's hopes of an unlikely quadruple alive and saw them lift the Carabao Cup for a record-extending 10th time.
Chelsea's run to the final has been a silver lining for coach Mauricio Pochettino in a bleak first season in charge of the west London side, but with Sunday's defeat, the former… Tottenham The coach still has not won any title in England.
Pochettino's team had a shaky start in the final match, but they almost took the lead Cole Palmer In the 21st minute, his shot from close range was saved wonderfully by the goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher.
An already exhausted Liverpool side was dealt another blow after that Ryan Gravenberch Take a tough challenge from Moises Caicedo It had to be replaced Joe Gomez In the 28th minute.
Images by Adam Davey/PA via Getty Images
Raheem Sterling He thought he had given Chelsea the lead in the 31st minute, but the assistant referee got it right Nicholas Jackson He had veered offside moments earlier when he set off to cross England straight ahead.
On the other hand, it was the post that denied Liverpool the lead after that Cody Jackpohead of Andy RobertsonCross to the left Djordje Petrovic Rooted in place but hit upright.
Van Dijk's powerful header from a Robertson free-kick on the hour mark sparked frenetic celebrations in the red half of Wembley Stadium, but the goal was disallowed after witnessing a lengthy VAR check. Wataru Endo He was ruled for offside.
This postponement seemed to strengthen Chelsea's resolve, which almost took the lead in the 77th minute after that Connor GallagherA shot from Palmer hit the far post.
The pair combined to create another golden opportunity in the 85th minute, but Gallagher was denied by another brilliant save from Kelleher.
Klopp's dearth of options on the bench was revealed by his late-game substitutions with the teenagers James McConnell And Jayden Danz comes instead of Alexis McAllister And Jackpo respectively.
Dance, who made his debut for Liverpool vs Luton Town Last week, he was close to scoring in extra time, but his header was headed over the crossbar by Djordje Petrovic.
Liverpool continued to push for a goal as Chelsea fell behind Harvey Elliott He almost came close to scoring, but his long header was well saved by Petrovic.
“Alcohol enthusiast. Twitter ninja. Tv lover. Falls down a lot. Hipster-friendly coffee geek.”