Liverpool won the 2023-24 EFL Cup after Virgil van Dijk’s goal in extra-time
For the third time in two years, Liverpool faced Chelsea at Wembley in a domestic cup competition final. The previous two were both won by the Reds on penalties after extra-time to lift the 2021-22 EFL Cup and FA Cup respectively.
After Jurgen Klopp’s surprise announcement of his departure at the end of the current season, there has been a significant onus on Liverpool succeeding to give the German manager the send-off he deserves after building an incredible legacy at Anfield.
But it wouldn’t prove to be an easy test for Liverpool in this EFL Cup final, which they were looking to win for a record tenth time, as Klopp’s squad had been destroyed with injuries.
The Reds were without Alisson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joel Matip, Stefan Bajcetic, Thiago, Dominik Szoboszlai, Curtis Jones, Diogo Jota, Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez for the final. Quite the injury list.
The Liverpool boss named three academy graduates into the starting lineup: Caoimhin Kelleher, Conor Bradley and Harvey Elliott. While the Reds’ nine-man substitute bench contained six academy players aged 21 or under.
It was Chelsea who had the first clear cut opportunity to go in front in the final, as Conor Gallagher played in Raheem Sterling, whose miscontrolled touch fell to Cole Palmer who had an effort, only to be denied by Kelleher. The follow up was from Nicolas Jackson – Kelleher saving once more.
Another opportunity for the Blues went astray as the offside flag was raised after Sterling put the ball into the back of the net. The replay showed an incredibly tight call, with the VAR deeming Jackson to have been offside.
Just moments later, Cody Gakpo hit the bottom far post from a header. Now approaching the end of the first half, the game was completely end to end.
In what will be another headache for Jurgen Klopp, Ryan Gravenberch was stretchered off with an ankle injury in the first half – extending Liverpool’s first team injury record to 11 players.
It would be Liverpool’s turn to have VAR disappoint them as Virgil van Dijk scored what, at first glance, seemed to be a perfectly good headed goal from a free kick set piece. VAR disallowed the goal because of Wataru Endo’s interference from an offside position.
From this point on, it was Chelsea with chance after chance until the full-time whistle. During these 20 minutes, Gallagher hit the post, had a shot incredibly saved by Kelleher and Palmer’s strike also turned away from Liverpool’s Irish ‘keeper.
A man of the match performance from Caoimhin Kelleher took the final into extra-time – where a penalty shootout loomed large after a 0-0 draw for the third consecutive cup final between these two sides.
Klopp needed fresh legs and reinforcements, so up stepped Liverpool’s academy prospects. Bobby Clark, James McConnell, Jayden Danns and Jarell Quansah all entered the fray for ‘squeaky bum time’.
Jayden Danns, the 18-year-old son of Neil Danns, made just his second senior appearance for Liverpool – and the young striker almost scored. His header was tipped over the bar in the first period of extra-time.
Danns had another opportunity to win the game for the Reds as Harvey Elliott’s header down onto the line could’ve been poached by Danns, if not for a reactive save from Chelsea’s ‘keeper Djordje Petrovic.
With the clock approaching two hours of football being played, just minutes away from a penalty shootout – up steps Liverpool’s captain Virgil van Dijk. Kostas Tsimikas delivered the corner into the box and the Dutchman’s stooping header found the back of the net.
No disallowing this one. Wembley went berserk. Red flairs and pyros lit up the national stadium in a sea of red. ‘Klopp’s Kids’ had done it and had done it in style. Liverpool had won the 2023-24 EFL Cup.
In what may well prove to be Jurgen Klopp’s last game for Liverpool at Wembley, it was certainly a memorable occasion. Half the team was missing, but the Reds found a way to lift the trophy, as they seemingly always do.
The phrase: ‘Scousers rule the country’ seems particularly fitting for the match that unfolded. Chelsea’s billion-pound team had crumbled – giving Klopp the perfect start to his Liverpool send off.
The unfortunate thing about the EFL Cup final being midway through the season is that there can’t be too much time for celebrating – as Liverpool’s attentions turn straight back to the other three competitions on offer, with Southampton at Anfield in the FA Cup fifth round on the horizon.
Kick-off for that Cup tie is at 8pm on Wednesday, 28 February.
Chelsea team: Petrovic, Gusto, Disasi, Colwill, Chilwell (Chalobah 113), Caicedo, Fernandez, Palmer, Gallagher (Madueke 97), Sterling (Nkunku 67), Jackson (Mudryk 90).
Liverpool team: Kelleher, Bradley (Clark 72), Konate (Quansah 106), Van Dijk, Robertson (Tsimikas 87), Mac Allister (McConnell 87), Endo, Gravenberch (Gomez 28), Elliott, Gakpo (Danns 87), Diaz.
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