Van Dijk's header in extra time wins Carabao Cup for Liverpool

Liverpool guaranteed Jurgen Klopp's last season will end with flatware after Virgil van Dijk's extra-time goal sealed a 1-0 win over Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday.

A frantic final, in which both groups had goals disallowed by VAR, was scoreless after one and a half hours, before finally ending with a header from a corner by Liverpool Chiefs in the 28th moment of extra time.

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Liverpool entered the final with 10 first-choice players, including Mohamed Salah and Darwin Núñez, who were missing through injury. In any case, egged on by his defiant colleagues, he fought fearlessly to secure a Chelsea departure.

The success kept Liverpool's hopes of an improbable quadruple alive and helped them win the Carabao Cup for a record-extending tenth time.

Chelsea's last-minute rush was a ray of hope for mentor Mauricio Pochettino, whose first season in charge of the west London side has been abysmal, although with Sunday's defeat, the former Tottenham supervisor doesn't really see himself winning the prize just yet. Are coming. Britain.

Pochettino's group made a shaky start until the end, but almost took the lead in the 21st minute through Cole Palmer, whose shot was wonderfully saved by Caoimhin Kelleher.

An exhausted Liverpool side suffered another blow when Ryan Gravenberch took a tough test from Moises Caicedo and had to be replaced by Joe Gomez in the 28th minute.

Rahim was originally thought to have given Chelsea the lead in the 31st minute, although the assistant referee correctly judged that Nicholas Jackson had strayed offside just minutes earlier when he was disallowed to cross for the United forward. Was found.

At the opposite end, it was the post that denied Liverpool the opener, when Cody Gakpo's header from Andy Robertson's cross found Djordje Petrovic in his tracks, although he headed wide.

Van Dijk's powerful header from a Robertson free kick on the hour mark ignited wild-eyed celebrations on the red side of Wembley, although the goal was ruled out after Wataru Ando was declared offside following a VAR check delay .

The reprieve seemed to strengthen the determination of Chelsea, who began to lead the pack in the 77th when Conor Gallagher's shot from Palmer's pass hit the far post.

The pair combined to create another potent chance in the 85th minute, with Gallagher forcing another heavenly save from Kelleher.

Klopp's lack of choice in the seat was highlighted by his late replacements, with youngsters James McConnell and Jaden Dannes coming in for Alexis McIntosh Allister and Gakpo individually.

Danes, who made his Liverpool debut against Luton Town last week, was on the verge of scoring in extra time, although his header was tipped over the bar by Djordje Petrovic.

Liverpool continued to push for a goal as Chelsea dialed down and Harvey Elliott almost came close, yet his far-post header was well stopped by Petrovic.

FAQ,s

How many times Liverpool won Carabao Cup?

10th triumph.

Did Liverpool win the Carabao Cup 2024?

Liverpool have won the Carabao Cup,

Does EFL Cup do extra time?

no extra time shall be played,