Liverpool beat Chelsea to win the Carabao Cup with Van Dijk and Kelleher the heroes for Klopp

Liverpool beat Chelsea to win the Carabao Cup with Van Dijk and Kelleher the heroes for Klopp

WATCH NOW: Sports round-up as Virgil van Dijk scores to win Carabao Cup for Liverpool against Chelsea

Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 25/02/2024

- 17:43

Updated: 25/02/2024

- 18:25

The Reds have won the first trophy of the season after a 1-0 victory at Wembley

Liverpool moved a big step closer to giving Jurgen Klopp a fairytale farewell with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Chelsea in the final of the Carabao Cup on Sunday.

The Reds had gone into the game as favourites to lift the prize due to their excellent form this season.


And a goal from Virgil van Dijk in the closing stages of extra time gave the Merseyside giants the trophy they craved.

The Netherlands international had previously seen a goal chalked off earlier in the match after Endo was adjudged to have interfered with play.

Virgil van Dijk Liverpool Chelsea

Virgil van Dijk netted a dramatic late winner as Liverpool beat Chelsea to win the Carabao Cup

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But lightning wasn't to strike twice.

Van Dijk, in the 119th minute of the match, rose to power home a corner with Chelsea unable to prevent the former Southampton star from scoring.

It meant the world to Klopp, who will be leaving the club at the end of the season, with the German celebrating wildly with his backroom staff as the ball sailed in.

Now, it'll be intriguing to see where the club go from here.

One day, three to follow? Liverpool are still in the hunt for a quadruple and, despite being depleted by injuries, now have hope as they look for the most sensational of swansongs for their manager.

And though Van Dijk will steal the headlines with his decisive winner, it Caoimhin Kelleher was equally as vital after making top saves from the likes of Cole Palmer and Conor Gallagher.

For Chelsea, it will be a case of licking their wounds and going again.

The Blues put up a strong fight amid the defeat but, as the game went on, it seemed as though there was only ever going to be one winner.

It was Liverpool who started the better of the two teams at Wembley, even if they saw Ryan Gravenberch stretchered off through injury.

Luis Diaz tested Djordje Petrovic early on, with the Colombia international seeing a shot parried wide.

Goalkeeper Kelleher then made a wonderful save from Palmer from close range, with the England international visibly stunned after being denied.

Chelsea thought they'd taken the lead when Raheem Sterling converted from close range after a pinpoint cross from Nicholas Jackson.

However, his strike was chalked off with VAR deeming Jackson offside before the ball went in.

In the second half, Liverpool again started well.

Harvey Elliot tested Petrovic, who palmed his effort to safety, with Diaz then blazing after when he should have done better.

It was Liverpool's turn to then put the ball in the net, with Van Dijk powering home a header.

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Caoimhin Kelleher Chelsea Liverpool

Caoimhin Kelleher was outstanding for Liverpool in their Carabao Cup final win over Chelsea on Sunday

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Once again, however, VAR intervened.

Endo was deemed to be obstructing play and though Van Dijk did well to guide his header into the net, it was ultimately disallowed.

As the game went on there were chances for both sides.

Cody Gakpo blazed over from the edge of the box - with Conor Gallagher then hitting the woodwork after a fine cross from Palmer.

Kelleher proceeded to make the save of the match in normal time, racing off his line to thwart Gallagher from close range when the England international looked certain to score.

Liverpool Chelsea

Liverpool beat Chelsea to win the Carabao Cup with Virgil van Dijk and Caoimhin Kelleher shining for the Reds at Wembley

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Gallagher also fired over from the edge of the box after Jackson had done well to bring the former Crystal Palace loanee into play.

In extra time, Petrovic saved from Jayden Danns - with the 18-year-old doing well to get his header on target.

Liverpool were the better of the two teams in the closing stages of the contest, certainly resembling more of a threat.

Elliot's header nearly crept in as Petrovic stuck out a foot to deny the youngster.

And Van Dijk then sparked wild celebrations around the ground by guiding his header past Petrovic to finally break Chelsea's resolve.

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