*Van Dijk applauds his young side’s effort
Liverpool won the League Cup by beating Chelsea 1-0 through a late extra-time goal from captain Virgil van Dijk, after a fierce end-to-end battle at Wembley on Sunday.
Dutchman Van Dijk rose to meet a corner in the 118th minute and nodded home in front of cheering Liverpool fans.
The two teams had numerous chances in the first 90 minutes.
Both sides had goals ruled out after long VAR checks, with Raheem Sterling’s first-half effort for Chelsea cancelled out because Nicolas Jackson was offside in the build-up.
Van Dijk’s second-half header was also disallowed for an infringement by Wataru Endo.
Both teams also hit the post, Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo in the first half and Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher in the second.
It was the third Cup victory for Juergen Klopp’s Liverpool over Chelsea in two years, the Reds winning the League and FA Cups in 2022 after goalless draws and penalty shootouts.
VAN DIJK APPLAUDS
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk on Sunday said he was immensely proud of the young side who had to fill in for so many of his injured teammates.
Van Dijk scored a late winner against Chelsea to help his side lift the English League Cup on Sunday at the Wembley Stadium in London.
Liverpool were without key players such as Mohammed Salah, Diogo Jota and goalkeeper Alisson for the final.
By the end of a match that went to extra time after a goalless 90 minutes, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp fielded a largely second-string team.
“It’s emotional, it’s everything, I’m so proud of the boys,” van Dijk told reporters on the pitch as the red half of the Wembley fans celebrated.
“All the young boys playing their part in what we achieved today, it’s incredible. On to more.”
After a lively, end-to-end contest in which both sides enjoyed a string of chances, Van Dijk rose to head the winner with two minutes of extra time remaining.
“You should always savour the good moments and this is one of them.
“You should never take these things for granted,” the Netherlands defender said.
