Liverpool won the Carabao Cup 1-0 over Chelsea, thanks to Virgil van Dijk’s 118th-minute header.
Jurgen Klopp’s final season has ensured that the club will win at least one trophy, but it took a long time to get there in a tumultuous game that remained goalless for virtually the entire time at Wembley Stadium.
It was an exciting start at Wembley, with both goalkeepers taxed early on. First, Chelsea’s Djordje Petrovic was called into action twice in rapid succession by Alexis MacAllister and Luis Diaz.
Then, on the other end, Caoimhin Kelleher made an incredible stop from point-blank range to deny Cole Palmer.
Chances kept coming. Chelsea’s Raheem Sterling scored, but VAR narrowly deemed Nicolas Jackson offside in the buildup. Cody Gakpo then hit the Blues’ post with a header.
VAR had a significant role again on the hour. Van Dijk thought he had headed Liverpool ahead from a free kick, but after a lengthy review, Wataru Endo was deemed to be offside in the build-up, impeding Levi Colwill, who was unable to reach the Reds captain.
The see-saw turned Chelsea’s way again as they took their time to rattle the woodwork, with Conor Gallagher stunned that he hadn’t scored after nudging Palmer’s cross against the post from six yards out.
Several minutes later, Gallagher was denied again, this time slipping past Palmer but unable to get the ball off of his foot quickly enough to beat the onrushing Kelleher.
Finally, with two minutes remaining in extra time, a breakthrough was found. Van Dijk rose again, this time from a corner, to nod in at the Liverpool end, sending the Reds into disarray.
Chelsea will only feel disappointment, as Mauricio Pochettino’s hunt for his first trophy in England continues.
