Kelvin Bowoto
Virgil Van Dijk’s extra-time goal helped Liverpool defeat Chelsea 1-0 in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday to claim the title.
A frenzied final, in which VAR denied goals for both sides, was scoreless after 90 minutes before being decided deep into extra time by Liverpool captain Virgil Van Dijk’s looping header, ensuring Jurgen Klopp’s final season ends with silverware.
Liverpool approached the final with 10 first-team players out due to injury, including Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez, but they played valiantly against Chelsea, backed by their lively fans.
The result keeps Liverpool’s ambitions of completing an unusual quadruple alive as they continue to compete for the Premier League, Europa League, and FA Cup.
According to Reuters, Chelsea had a rocky start to the final, but Cole Palmer nearly seized the lead in the 21st minute with a close-range attempt that Caoimhin Kelleher stopped magnificently.
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Liverpool’s already weakened squad suffered a further blow when Ryan Gravenberch was replaced by Joe Gomez in the 28th minute following a violent challenge on the German international by Moisés Caicedo.
Raheem Sterling thought he’d given Chelsea the lead in the 31st minute, but the linesman ruled that Nicolas Jackson had been offside moments before when he broke free to cross for the England international.
Down the other end, Liverpool’s opener was denied by the post, as Gakpo’s header from Andy Robertson’s cross left Petrovic rooted to the spot but struck the far upright.
Van Dijk’s powerful header from a Robertson free-kick at the hour mark sparked wild celebrations in the red end of Wembley Stadium, but the goal was ruled out after a lengthy VAR check revealed Wataru Endo was offside.
Techrectory with Agency Report.
