Late Van Dijk Header Secures Carabao Cup Victory for Jurgen Klopp’s Reds in Chelsea vs Liverpool Clash
Chelsea vs Liverpool: An Overview
Two years on from contesting the Carabao Cup final, Chelsea and Liverpool met at the same stage of the competition again this year. The Reds entered the tie as favorites, given their blistering run of form. They entered the contest on the back of three consecutive wins and just one defeat from their last 15 games in all competitions. With Jurgen Klopp also set to leave Merseyside at the end of the campaign, Liverpool are hoping to give him the best possible farewell by winning titles on all fronts.
Chelsea, having lost both the Carabao Cup and FA Cup final to Liverpool in 2022, have revenge on their minds. However, the form wasn’t on their side. The Blues had won just twice from their last six games in all competitions. During this run, they also faced Liverpool in the Premier League and lost 4-1 at Anfield. Mauricio Pochettino’s side were eager to end their nine-year wait for the trophy but had the odds stacked against them.
Also Read: WATCH: Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk scores the winner against Chelsea in Carabao Cup final
Chelsea vs Liverpool: Match Report & Analysis
The match began with Liverpool dominating possession and pushing bodies forward in search of an early opener. However, clear-cut chances were at a premium. In the 15th minute, Luis Diaz’s shot inside the box was parried away by Djordje Petrovic as the match began to open up. Chelsea’s attempts to play out from the back weren’t bearing any fruits as the Reds constantly sought to disrupt their passing with high press.
Having settled more quickly and created a few opportunities, Jurgen Klopp’s side were in cruise control. Yet, against the run of play, Chelsea appeared to take the lead in the 30th minute through Raheem Sterling when he calmly slotted the ball home from Nicolas Jackson’s fine pass. However, following a VAR review, Jackson was adjudged to have been offside in the build-up and the goal was ruled out.
Despite a lively ending to the opening stanza with both sides coming close, the game finished level at 0-0 at the break. In the second half, Liverpool also saw a goal disallowed. Virgil van Dijk looked to have put the Reds 1-0 up from a header, but Cody Gakpo was in an offside position in the buildup, and it was thereby chalked off. Meanwhile, Chelsea saw a chance come off the woodwork as Conor Gallagher’s flick-on from Cole Palmer’s pass came off the far post.
With neither team unable to find the net, the match went into extra time. It was the same story in the first added minutes, with Liverpool and Chelsea seeing narrow misses. It remained a lively encounter in the second half of the extra-time too, and Liverpool finally broke the deadlock. Van Dijk came back to haunt the Blues, this time firing another header from a corner in the 118th minute, and he was perfectly onside.
Chelsea were too static there and Liverpool punished them for it. Jurgen Klopp’s troops saw the final few minutes of the game to emerge as winners for a record-extending 10th time. The outgoing German manager lifted his second title in the competition, and an eighth with the side overall, as his farewell tour began on a positive note.
Chelsea vs Liverpool: Top Performers
Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool)
The Liverpool custodian had a terrific game for the side. He made nine saves to frustrate Chelsea, as Kelleher was equal to everything thrown at him. The Irishman exuded incredible confidence between the sticks and wasn’t fazed by the occasion. His distribution was top-notch too as Kelleher emerged as the unlikely hero for Liverpool in the finals.
Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
What a colossal performance from the towering Van Dijk, who made his impact at both ends. Defensively, the Dutchman was solid, making seven clearances, two interceptions, and blocking two shots. His positional awareness was imperious and tracked Chelsea’s forwards like a shadow. He then proved to be the difference-maker at the other end too, heading in the winner to win the trophy for Liverpool.
Chelsea vs Liverpool: Match Point
With one title in the bag, Liverpool’s dreams of quadruple lives on. They are still active in the FA Cup and Europa League while leading the Premier League table too. Jurgen Klopp hopes to depart in the best way possible, and so far, it’s all going in his favor.
Meanwhile, it was more heartbreak for Chelsea, who lost their fifth cup final in a row. It’s been a torrid campaign for them, full of ups and downs, and now the defeat marks another low for the erratic side.