Watch the highlights from Chelsea vs Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final below as Virgil van Dijk’s extra time header secured a record 10th title for the Reds.
WATCH: Chelsea 0-1 Liverpool Highlights
Chelsea 0-1 Liverpool Carabao Cup Final Report: Van Dijk The Hero In Extra Time
The Reds’ absentee list heading into Sunday afternoon’s cup final was bad enough as it is, but after Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez failed their late fitness tests – they were without a whopping 11 first teamers for the clash.
To make matters worse for Jurgen Klopp, Ryan Gravenberch was forced off on a stretcher in the first half, forcing Conor Bradley to play on the right wing as Joe Gomez slotted into the right-back position.
Despite this, Chelsea were unable to take advantage. Mauricio Pochettino’s side had countless opportunities, including a disallowed goal from ex-Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling, but failed to open the scoring.
The rued opportunities looked to have come back to bite them on the hour mark when Virgil van Dijk headed home the opener, however Wataru Endo was adjudged to have been offside in the build-up, which meant that after plenty of deliberation – the goal was disallowed.
Both sides had chances to win it, but a goalless second period meant that the tie went to extra time.
Clear goalscoring opportunities were hard to come by in the final half hour, with the battle becoming a bit more of a cagey one. It would be the Reds who came out on top though, with Van Dijk coming up clutch once more.
The Dutchman made up for his earlier disallowed goal just two minutes from time, glancing home a header past Dorde Petrovic from Konstantinos Tsimikas’ corner to secure a record 10th Carabao Cup title for the Merseyside giants.
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2024… pic.twitter.com/pmQ2CYfLTa— Liverpool FC (@LFC) February 25, 2024
What Next For Chelsea & Liverpool?
The cup action continues for both sides in midweek, as Chelsea welcome Championship high-flyers Leeds United to Stamford Bridge in the FA Cup fifth round on Wednesday evening.
Liverpool, at the same stage of the cup, are also in action on Wednesday night, and they take on Russell Martin’s promotion chasing Southampton at Anfield.
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