Van Dijk’s decisive header in the dying moments of extra time secured a remarkable Carabao Cup final victory for a depleted Liverpool over Chelsea at Wembley Stadium.
Despite a contentious decision ruling out an earlier header by Van Dijk for offside, Liverpool found redemption when he connected with Kostas Tsimikas’ corner in the 118th minute.
This historic 10th triumph in the competition was achieved without key players such as Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez, and Diogo Jota, further compounded by the loss of Ryan Gravenberch to injury during the match.
Although Chelsea had multiple opportunities, including six successive Wembley final losses, Liverpool’s resilience, bolstered by goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher’s outstanding performance, ultimately secured victory.
Kelleher’s heroics, reminiscent of his standout display in the 2022 EFL Cup final, denied Chelsea’s numerous chances, with Conor Gallagher and Raheem Sterling among those thwarted.
Despite facing adversity, Liverpool showcased their depth, with emerging talents like Jayden Danns making crucial contributions off the bench, underscoring their promising future post-Klopp era.
For Chelsea, this defeat adds to their Wembley woes and represents a missed opportunity to overcome a depleted Liverpool side under Mauricio Pochettino’s management.
Failing to capitalize on their chances, Chelsea’s inability to find the decisive breakthrough compounds the disappointment, leaving Pochettino still seeking his first trophy in England.
