Virgil van Dijk headed a 118th-minute winner to seal the Carabao Cup for Liverpool with a 1-0 win over Chelsea.
Jurgen Klopp’s swansong season has guaranteed at least one piece of silverware for the club, but it took a long time to get there in a topsy-turvy encounter that somehow stayed goalless for nearly the duration at Wembley.
There were posts hit at each end, VAR foils for each team and a string of chances denied. But with penalties looming it was Van Dijk who settled it, rising highest to head in from a corner.
For Chelsea there will only be regret, and Mauricio Pochettino’s wait for a first trophy in England continues.
A chaotic clash at Wembley settled by Liverpool at the last
Virgil van Dijk celebrates his winning goal
It was an early opening at Wembley, with both goalkeepers tested early on. First it was Djordje Petrovic in Chelsea’s net, called into action twice in quick succession from Alexis Mac Allister and Luis Diaz. Then, at the other end, Caoimhin Kelleher produced an unbelievable stop from point-blank range to deny Cole Palmer.
The chances kept coming. Raheem Sterling had the ball in the net for Chelsea, but VAR narrowly ruled Nicolas Jackson offside in the build-up. Cody Gakpo then rattled the Blues post with a header.
VAR figured heavily again on the hour. Van Dijk thought he had headed Liverpool in front from a free-kick, but after a lengthy check Wataru Endo was deemed to be offside in the build-up, impeding Levi Colwill – who was marking the Reds captain.
The see-saw swung Chelsea’s way again as they took their turn to rattle the woodwork, with Conor Gallagher in disbelief he hadn’t scored after prodding Cole Palmer’s cross against the post from six yards. Several minutes later Gallagher was denied once more, slipped through by Palmer but not getting the ball out of his feet quickly enough to beat the onrushing Kelleher.
More chaos ensued in the Liverpool box, but no way through was found, and the game moved into extra-time. The woodwork was hit again as Harvey Elliott’s header at the back stick thudded against Petrovic’s near post.
Finally, with one minute left of extra-time that breakthrough was found. Van Dijk rose again, this time from a corner, to nod in at the Liverpool end, sending the Reds into bedlam.
Neville: The blue billion pound bottle jobs shrunk in front of our eyes
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Chelsea somehow miss four golden chances in quick succession at Wembley.
Sky Sports’ Gary Neville:
“In extra time it’s been Klopp’s kids against the blue billion pound bottle jobs.
“Liverpool have been absolutely sensational. Those young players have been incredible. Klopp must be so proud.
“However, for Chelsea, I have no sympathy for them whatsoever. Mauricio Pochettino’s players have shrunk. They have shrunk right in front of our eyes and in front of their fans.”
A tale of two VARS
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Raheem Sterling has a goal ruled out for offside in the Carabao Cup final.
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Virgil van Dijk thought he had given Liverpool the lead in the Carabao Cup final, only for VAR to pick out an offside to see the goal chalked off.
What’s next?
Chelsea welcome Leeds United to Stamford Bridge in the FA Cup fifth round at 7.30pm on Wednesday night. The Blues then visit Brentford in the Premier League on Saturday; kick off 3pm.
Liverpool host Southampton in the FA Cup fifth round on Wednesday at 8pm. Jurgen Klopp’s side visit Nottingham Forest in the Premier League next Saturday at 3pm.