Information reaching Kossyderrickent has it that VAR failed as Moises Caicedo bent Ryan Gravenberch ankle in reckless tackle.
For all the money that has been spent at Chelsea (and indeed all the young prospects who have gone on to flourish elsewhere), it was a severely weakened Liverpool that still deservedly found a way to victory. Perhaps there is a message there for Todd Boehly and co.
Not one of that trio, nor 20-year-old starter Conor Bradley or late 21-year-old sub Jarell Quansah, appeared to have any sense that their job was anything but to take the bull by the horns and get Liverpool another trophy. Not that opponents Chelsea are anything special this year, but there were a lot of boys going against men and the boys looked like the leaders.
And that’s why it’s special that Van Dijk not only led the unit but scored the winner. Think of how many clubs have suffered injury runs like Liverpool, and how many just ended up leaning on the absences as excuses. Klopp didn’t have Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez, Alisson Becker, Dominik Szoboszlai, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Diogo Jota amongst others. All of them game-changing talents.
Ahead of a massive end to the campaign, where Liverpool could yet win another three trophies before Jürgen Klopp departs, this could be a big boost. The Reds know that even when things get tough, they can get over the line.
The three teenagers that Jurgen Klopp sent out during the second half of regular team had each accumulated fewer than 100 senior minutes this season for the Reds, but the jobs done by Bobby Clark, Jayden Danns, and James McConnell say so much about what Jurgen Klopp has instilled in a Liverpool club that had stumbled from power before he took the reins.
Liverpool have won the League Cup more than any other club, and their 10 triumphs are top of the pops. Chelsea stay on five wins from 10 finals.
Klopp last won the trophy in 2022, beating Chelsea after penalty kicks. The Blues have lost the final twice since claiming top honors in 2015.
The sides drew 1-1 at Stamford Bridge on Week 1, but the Liverpool claimed a decisive 4-1 win over the Blues at Anfield at the end of January.
