Premier League rivals Chelsea and Liverpool met at Wembley with the season’s first piece of silverware up for grabs and it was the Reds who were celebrating long into the night thanks to Virgil van Dijk’s last-gasp winner
Liverpool lift the Carabao Cup
Virgil van Dijk scored with two minutes of normal time remaining to see Liverpool lift the Carabao Cup.
An action-packed final saw 48 shots on goal, with both keepers kept busy throughout the game. Conor Gallagher spurned a major chance to win the game in the late stages of normal time.
But with neither side able to score, the match went to extra-time, with Liverpool looking dead on their feet. Jurgen Klopp had been forced to throw on several youngsters, but they came up big for the German.
Van Dijk delivered a captain’s performance and rounded that off by heading in the winner from a corner. Liverpool will now celebrate as they kickstart Klopp’s farewell tour. Relive all the action below….
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18:56Key Event
That’s all from us!
Thanks for joining us tonight, keep following the Mirror Football website and social media accounts to see all the reaction as Liverpool begin their celebrations. Good night!
Liverpool lift the Carabao Cup
18:45Jacob Leeks
Van Dijk soars above Chelsea’s flops
Analysis from our chief football writer John Cross:
“Van Dijk is the epitome of a big game player and once again he delivered in a final to make it a record ten League Cup wins for Liverpool.
Van Dijk was the elder statesman as Liverpool finished the game with three teenagers – Bobby Clark, Jayden Danns and James McConnell – plus 21-year-old Jarell Quansah and Harvey Elliott, 20.
But what a damning indictment for Chelsea whose £1billion pound squad could not beat injury-hit Liverpool. Todd Boehly’s bottle jobs beaten by Liverpool’s kids. Whoever said you could win nothing with kids?”
Virgil van Dijk holds up the Carabao Cup trophy and the Player of the Match award
18:37Jacob Leeks
Klopp speaks on Liverpool win
Jurgen Klopp has insisted Liverpool deserved their Carabao Cup win after throwing on his youinger stars in the latter stages of the final.
“What happened here tonight is absolutely insane, these things are not possible,” he told Sky Sports.
“A team full of character. I’m so proud, I couldn’t be prouder of them tonight. We deserved it. Yes we had lucky moments, they had lucky moments.
“The boys showed up. I’m sure when we brought on all the kids people thought ‘they’ve given up’. But that’s not the case, we needed fresh legs.”
18:29Jacob Leeks
Chelsea set unwanted record for losing finals
Chelsea have now lost their last six cup finals after their dismal Wembley record was extended with Sunday’s Carabao Cup final defeat.
The Blues were downed late on by Virgil van Dijk’s extra-time header. That means they have now lost their last six major finals at the new Wembley, including in the League Cup and FA Cup.
Away from Sunday’s defeat, they have also lost in the same competition in 2019 and 2022. Meanwhile, in the FA Cup, Chelsea reached the final of in 2017, 2020, 2021 and 2022 but lost them all.
The Blues’ nearest competition is Newcastle who have been defeated in their previous five appearances in major finals.
18:19Jacob Leeks
Liverpool squad join in with ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’
The Liverpool squad and Jurgen Klopp’s coaching staff have lined up in the box to join in with a rendition of ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’. Video from Mirror Football Features Editor Mark Jones:
18:11Jacob Leeks
Prize money confirmed
Liverpool will earn just £100,000 in prize money after lifting the Carabao Cup trophy, with losers Chelsea taking home £50,000.
The beaten semi-finalists – Fulham and Middlesbrough – banked only £25,000 for reaching the last four, with those knocked out in the earlier rounds not making a penny in prize money.
18:00Jacob Leeks
Klopp and Van Dijk lift the trophy together
Jurgen Klopp was called up by Virgil van Dijk to lift the trophy together at the Royal Box, sending the tickertape flying! Let the celebrations begin!
Jurgen Klopp and Virgil van Dijk lift the trophy
17:54Jacob Leeks
Chelsea dejected
Chelsea look like a broken team as Liverpool celebrate. This was a trophy that was there for the taking, but they’ve found a way to lose and are now sprawled dejected around the pitch.
Mykhaylo Mudryk sits down in dejection
17:51Jacob Leeks
Liverpool dig deep to win it
From Mirror Sport’s chief football writer John Cross:
“Liverpool looked dead on their feet at 90 minutes and yet have been much the better team in extra time. Van Dijk’s header now definitely stands. Incredible spirit to win it after 118 minutes.”
17:50Jacob Leeks
Van Dijk hails the Klopp kids
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has hailed the young members of his team as they helped Liverpool to win the Carabao Cup.
“All the young boys, it’s incredible, so proud of the team. Intense game, they had chances, we had chances,” he told Sky Sports.
“First trophy as Liverpool captain, let’s enjoy it. It’s emotional, it’s everything, I’m so proud of the boys, all the young boys playing their part in what we’ve achieved today, it’s incredible.”
17:48Jacob Leeks
Liverpool jubilant
Liverpool’s celebrations are just kicking off, with Klopp doing his customary fist-pump and his players running around the pitch celebrating with their fans.
Virgil van Dijk and Caoimhin Kelleher celebrate at the final whistle
17:43Key Event
FULL-TIME!
Liverpool are the Carabao Cup champions. Virgil van Dijk’s goal at the death has won it for the Reds. The Jurgen Klopp farewell tour is on.
Virgil van Dijk celebrates
17:41Jacob Leeks
Van Dijk surely wins it
Just two minutes before a penalty shootout, Van Dijk rises highest at the near post to power home a winner. Liverpool fans erupt into celebration. Liverpool 1-0 Chelsea
17:38Key Event
GOAL LIVERPOOOLLLLLL
IT’S VIRGIL VAN DIJK TO WIN IT!!!!!
17:36Jacob Leeks
Scrambled off the line
Elliott heads the ball towards goal after a punt into the box, Petrovic saves and is able to smother it before Danns can poke in the rebound. Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea
17:33Jacob Leeks
Chilwell heads off
Ben Chilwell is taken off by Chelsea, Chalobah comes on to replace him. Eight minutes until penalties. Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea
17:26Jacob Leeks
Setting the stage for the future
From Mirror Online Assistant Editor and football writer Darren Lewis:
“The winning side here at Wembley really will have a victory to use as a springboard for the future. Both inexperienced sides have shown courage in adversity, a willingness to fight for the shirt and their respective causes. Terrific game. Can’t remember the last time I was this entertained by a goalless draw.”
17:25Jacob Leeks
Back underway
Just a short break and we’re now back underway. Quansah has come on for Konate for Liverpool. Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea
17:22Jacob Leeks
Half-time in extra time
That’s half-time in extra time, game has settled down now with both teams running increasingly out of energy. Liverpool were on top in those first 15 minutes, can they make that pressure count? Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea
17:12Jacob Leeks
Gallagher goes off
Arguably Chelsea’s best player Conor Gallagher is being brought off, with Noni Madueke replacing him. Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea
17:10Jacob Leeks
Danns goes close!
So close from youngster Danns, he gets up highest to head the ball at goal, but Petrovic pulls off a great save to tip it over the bar. Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea
17:06Jacob Leeks
Back underway
We’re underway in extra-time, can either of these sides find a winner? Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea
17:06Jacob Leeks
The moment Kelleher saved Liverpool from defeat
Caoimhin Kelleher saves a shot from Conor Gallagher
17:00Key Event
Full-time!
We’re heading to extra-time. Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea after 90 minutes.
16:56Jacob Leeks
Kelleher comes up big – AGAIN
Kelleher and Konate combine to somehow keep this game at 0-0, making a series of blocks and saves to keep their team in it. We’re into six minutes added time.
16:53Jacob Leeks
Pochettino reacts
Pochettino has reacted to those changes by bringing Mudryk on in place of Jackson. Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea
16:51Jacob Leeks
Klopp throws on the kids
Tsimikas comes on for Robertson, McConnell comes on for Mac Allister and Danns replaces Gakpo. Huge decisions from Jurgen Klopp to throw on the youngsters. Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea. Three minutes left
16:49Jacob Leeks
Gallagher misses huge chance to win it
Oh my that is a huge miss. Gallagher is played through and he’s all on his own as he charges through on goal. But Kelleher comes racing out of his goal and the Chelsea man can’t poke the ball past him. Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea
16:40Jacob Leeks
Gallagher hits the post!
This is remarkable, the ball just does not want to go in. Palmer cuts inside from the right and squares the ball to Gallagher, who tries to flick it into the far corner, but it cannons back off the post. Just 15 minutes to go now, it remains Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea
16:30Jacob Leeks
First Chelsea change
Raheem Sterling is taken off to be replaced by Christopher Nkunku. The former Liverpool star is loudly booed by fans of his old club. Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea
16:26Key Event
Goal ruled out
I’m sratching my head here. The goal has been ruled out because Endo, who was not marking Van Dijk blocks a Chelsea defender who was running back near the Dutchman. A perplexing decision it must be said. Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea
16:23Key Event
GOALLLLL LIVERPOOL
Virgil van Dijk puts Liverpool ahead!!
16:22Jacob Leeks
Elliott forces flying save
Liverpool go up the other end and a floated ball in goes all the way to Elliott at the far post. The Englishman shapes up for an acrobatic effort and Petrovic makes a flying save to push the ball away. Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea
16:19Jacob Leeks
Chelsea pushing
Chelsea are trying to assert themselves in the game, with the Blues breaking out thanks to Conor Gallagher. Palmer then cuts inside but his shot is put wide of Kelleher’s post. Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea
16:10Jacob Leeks
Reason Caicedo was not booked
From Mirror Sport’s chief football writer John Cross:
“Caicedo challenge was deemed reckless rather than serious foul play. A yellow can’t be given by VAR so can only intervene with a red. But as it wasn’t deemed serious foul play…”
16:09Jacob Leeks
Back underway
We’re back underway at Wembley. No changes for either team at the break. Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea
16:08Jacob Leeks
Redknapp fumes at Caicedo decision
Jamie Redknapp has slammed the decision to let Moises Caicedo off without punishment as he tackled and injured Ryan Gravenberch.
“It’s not a great challenge, it’s extremely clumsy. I think it always is worse when a player’s foot is planted. You can see here, as Gravenberch makes the challenge, his foot is planted,” he said.
“It looks disgusting. You cna see here, Caicedo is not looking where the ball is going. You can see why he comes off. It’s definitely a yellow card. I can see why Jurgen Klopp was so upset and disappointed with it.”
Jamie Redknapp(Sky Sports)
15:53Jacob Leeks
Half-time!
That’s half-time! An action-packed first-half, with both teams throwing caution to the wind, but it remains goalless.
15:48Jacob Leeks
Bodies on the line defending from Chelsea
It’s bodies on the line stuff from Chelsea now, with Liverpool really pushing for a goal. The Reds work their way into the box, with Elliott pulling the ball back for Bradley but his shot gets blocked. The ball falls to Diaz, but he is also denied by a defender flying in. Somehow it’s still 0-0.
Djordje Petrovic saves a shot from Luis Diaz
15:42Jacob Leeks
Liverpool hit the post!
Just as Chelsea are denied, Liverpool come close themselves. A press forces a Chelsea error, with the Reds bombing forward. Robertson puts in a delightful cross and Gakpo’s header crashes back out off the bottom of the post. So close to an opener! Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea
15:37Jacob Leeks
Chelsea denied
Chelsea have the ball in the back of the net after Palmer plays Jackson through, with the striker squaring to Sterling who tapped in at the back post. But assistant referee Mark Scholes called play back for an offside against Jackson, with replays showing it was the tightest of calls. Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea
15:32Jacob Leeks
Liverpool forced into early change
Liverpool have just been forced into an unwanted early change. Gravenberch was injured after a tackle from Caicedo, with the Dutchman having to be stretchered off. Joe Gomez is on to replace him, with Conor Bradley moving up into midfield.
Ryan Gravenberch was forced off through injury.
15:30Jacob Leeks
A massive save from Kelleher
Sky have now tweeted footage of Kelleher’s save, the Liverpool keeper really came up big for his team.
15:27Jacob Leeks
Liverpool fans furious after missing kick-off
We’re getting reports that some Liverpool fans missed kick-off due to delays getting into Wembley Stadium.
It is believed the delay stemmed from some supporters being unable to scan their digital tickets as barcodes had been downloaded onto mobile devices, rather than the appropriate QR codes. Some were forced to wait for the Wembley ticket office to provide them with a paper alternative so they could enter the stadium.
Less than 15 minutes before the first whistle was blown, one Reds fan in attendance wrote: “We are stranded outside. This is not making sense.” This sentiment was echoed by another, who wrote: “What a nightmare for the fans.”
15:23Jacob Leeks
WHAT A SAVE
Chelsea break Liverpool open, with Sterling’s shot blocked brilliant by Bradley. The ball falls to Cole Palmer, but Kelleher dives across his goal to stick out a big left arm and save the Englishman’s shot. Liverpool eventually clearly. Twenty minutes in, it’s still Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea.
15:16Jacob Leeks
First shots on target
It’s end to end stuff at the moment. Chelsea first win a free-kick thanks to a silly foul from Diaz, but Disasi’s follow-up is weak and Kelleher easily saves.
Diaz then looks to make up for his mistake, with a defensive error letting him through, the Colombian trades passes with Gravenberch before seeing his shot save.
An error from Disasi then lets the winger in again, but he fires his shot straight at Chelsea keeper Petrovic.
It remains Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea
15:09Jacob Leeks
Nervy start
It’s been a nervy start from both teams so far, with neither goalkeeper really troubled. Chelsea have just given away two free-kicks in dangerous positions, though Liverpool were unable to capitalise.
Malo Gusto wins a header under the challenge of Luis Diaz
15:01Key Event
Kick-off!
We’re underway at Wembley! Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea
15:00Key Event
Liverpool fans BOO national anthem
Liverpool fans have booed the national anthem at Wembley ahead of the Carabao Cup final against Chelsea.
This is far from the first time they have done so. In fact they booed the anthem ahead of the clash with Brentford on coronation day earlier in the season.
14:54Jacob Leeks
Teams enter the pitch
The teams are heading out of the tunnel, led by managers Jurgen Klopp and Mauricio Pochettino. Kick-off is moments away.
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