Chelsea vs Liverpool LIVE: Carabao Cup final result and reaction after Virgil van Dijk nets extra-time winner

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk headed the winner deep into extra time as Jurgen Klopp’s massively-depleted side beat Chelsea 1-0 to claim a record-extending 10th Carabao Cup. The Dutch defender, who controversially had another header ruled out at the same end in the second half after VAR intervention, rose above Mykhailo Mudryk to nod in Kostas Tsimikas’ corner in the 118th minute.

It was no more than the Netherlands international, lifting his first trophy as Liverpool captain, deserved after a monumental performance in defence in a win which seemed against the odds for long periods. Klopp became the third Liverpool manager to win the trophy more than once as his long goodbye to his departure at the end of the season began with the first of a potential four pieces of silverware. But for opposite number Mauricio Pochettinohis long wait for an English domestic trophy continues.

Relive the action from Wembley:

Carabao Cup final LIVE

• Report - Jurgen Klopp’s youngsters leave Chelsea with a billion regrets after late Carabao Cup victory

• Liverpool defeat Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final thanks to Virgil van Dijk’s late goal

• 118’ GOAL! - Van Dijks wins the Carabao Cup with dramatic header (CHE 0-1 LIV)

• 117’ SAVE! - Petrovic denies Elliott at the death (CHE 0-0 LIV)

• 85’ CHANCE! - Kelleher charges down Gallagher’s effort (CHE 0-0 LIV)

• 76’ POST! - Gallagher turns Palmer’s pass onto the post (CHE 0-0 LIV)

• 63’ DISALLOWED! - Van Dijk’s goal ruled out by VAR (CHE 0-0 LIV)

• 39’ POST! - Gakpo nods the ball onto the post (CHE 0-0 LIV)

• 32’ DISALLOWED! - Sterling’s goal is chalked out for offside (CHE 0-0 LIV)

Chelsea FC 0 - 1 Liverpool FC

Chelsea blew the Carabao Cup final - now ‘blue billion bottle jobs’ tag could stick

13:35 , Jamie Braidwood

Just as Jurgen Klopp was learning a new phrase, Mauricio Pochettino was about to discover another. After eight years in England, the Liverpool manager chuckled at only just hearing Alan Hansen’s immortal line, ‘you don’t win trophies in football with kids’, a statement his remarkable Carabao Cup-winning side had proved wrong, just as Manchester United and Sir Alex Ferguson did so almost 30 years ago.

Whether “blue billion bottle jobs” lasts as long in football parlance remains to be seen, but at Wembley, Pochettino was faced with the realisation that Gary Neville’s damning assessment of his team could stick and hang over his players. Pochettino, downbeat and wounded, naturally defended his side and rejected Neville’s comments. “We are a young team and nothing to compare with Liverpool because they finished also with a few young players,” Pochettino responded. “It is impossible to compare and he knows that. He knows the dynamics are completely different.”

But Chelsea blew it and, deep down, Pochettino knew that too.

Chelsea blew the Carabao Cup final - now ‘blue billion bottle jobs’ tag could stick

Mauricio Pochettino defends Chelsea after ‘bottle jobs’ jibe from Gary Neville

10:40 , Karl Matchett

Mauricio Pochettino defended his players after “not fair” criticism from Gary Neville – who labelled Chelsea “blue billion pound bottle jobs” as they lost the Carabao Cup final to Liverpool in extra time.

Liverpool captain Virgil Van Dijk’s glancing header secured a 1-0 win for Jurgen Klopp’s side, who were missing as many as 11 injured players for the Wembley showpiece and relied on young, inexperienced players to come on late in the game.

Chelsea had the likes of £100m midfielders Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo on the pitch and were able to turn to almost £150m worth of talent from their own bench.

Mauricio Pochettino defends Chelsea after ‘bottle jobs’ jibe from Gary Neville

Conor Gallagher’s three Carabao Cup final misses sum up Chelsea’s crisis

10:20 , Karl Matchett

And so the long walk began. The head dropped, the shoulders sank and Conor Gallagher ran his hand across his face for a final time, the pain of his three misses in the Carabao Cup final written deep in his eyes. Chelsea’s wait for domestic silverware and their Wembley curse continues, with six straight defeats in domestic finals, three of them now to Liverpool. Yet Gallagher, on a different day, would have been a worthy match-winner for this Chelsea, a symbol of a new era. He came off exhausted, largely very good in an otherwise sloppy and disjointed performance from his team, but three lung-bursting runs into the Liverpool penalty box brought three opportunities. They were wasted and Chelsea, by the end, could have no complaints after they were stunned by Virgil van Dijk’s winner.

But the cruel twist in the fairytale start to Jurgen Klopp’s final season at Liverpool is that this will haunt Gallagher, perhaps for even longer than it will haunt Chelsea. It is abundantly clear how much this all means to Gallagher, the boy from the Chelsea academy desperate for the opportunity to be the boy done good. In many ways he already is, a senior player for Chelsea at 24, an England international. Yet he can feel like a temporary answer. Linked with a move away every six months, every transfer window brings a reminder that, for Chelsea’s financial accounts, he is more valuable to them if he leaves rather than if he stays.

And Gallagher, you sense, knows this.

Jamie Braidwood at Wembley:

Conor Gallagher’s three Carabao Cup final misses sum up Chelsea’s crisis

Liverpool finally find a way to end improbable cup final affliction in unexpected fashion

10:00 , Karl Matchett

In the end at Wembley, penalties were not quite required, but otherwise, fans watching at home and from afar could be forgiven for wondering if it was a two-year-old replay unfolding before their eyes.

Caoimhin Kelleher heroics against Chelsea? Check. VAR-led disallowed goals? Check. Woodwork hit by both teams? Check again. And above all else, the unusual sight of Liverpool failing to match their usual exploits in the final third, both in terms of creating chances and – more importantly – taking them.

For a club which habitually nets over 100 a season – they were at the century mark already for 2023/24 heading into this game – cup finals seem to render them improbably impotent in the penalty box. Even last year, when cup finals were a distant dream, the Reds scored 103 in all competitions.

Liverpool hadn’t scored a single goal in their past three cup finals, two of which were against this same opponent. Indeed, in 10 finals – major and minor – under Jurgen Klopp’s leadership, the Reds had only scored 11 goals in total and only three times scored more than once in a single occasion. And, as the whistle blew on 90 minutes of the Carabao Cup final at Wembley, it was no goals in four.

Karl Matchett at Wembley:

Liverpool finally find a way to end improbable cup final affliction

Jurgen Klopp’s youngsters leave Chelsea with a billion regrets after late Carabao Cup victory

09:40 , Karl Matchett

By the end, it was the sort of side only seen on the pitch together in pre-season friendlies. There was Jayden Danns, James McConnell and Bobby Clark, who have two first-team starts for Liverpool between them. And they were taking on Chelsea, flush from spending £1bn, in the most expensive makeover in footballing history.

But money couldn’t buy Chelsea a trophy or the spirit, ambition and resolve of Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool side. The first silverware of the season, the first of a possible quadruple, went to the kindergarten Klopps, to the kids who left Chelsea with a billion regrets. This was another example of Klopp’s ability to script the improbable. The last chapters in his story may be as astonishing as some of the earlier ones.

Richard Jolly at Wembley:

Klopp’s youngsters leave Chelsea with a billion regrets after League Cup victory

Jurgen Klopp hits out at referee after Ryan Gravenberch injury

09:15 , Karl Matchett

Liverpool’s injury woes took a turn for the worse when Ryan Gravenberch was carried off on a stretcher less than half an hour into the Carabao Cup final.

Virgil van Dijk’s header won the game for Liverpool with just three minutes left of extra time, after the sides could not be separated, but it was a team of youngsters who were on the field for the final whistle.

Conor Bradley was named in the starting XI, with first-choice right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold ruled out with a lateral collateral ligament injury.

Jurgen Klopp hits out at referee after Ryan Gravenberch injury

Gary Neville gives brutal verdict on Chelsea squad after Carabao Cup final heartbreak

08:30 , Karl Matchett

Gary Neville wrote the headlines when he made a decisive statement in the aftermath of Virgil van Dijk’s winning goal for Liverpool against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final.

The game looked like it might go to penalties without a goal, just like the 2022 final had done between the two sides, but Liverpool’s captain and most experienced player timed his run perfectly to head home a Kostas Tsimikas corner with just three minutes of extra time remaining.

When the final whistle blew, Neville, proclaimed as co-commentator on Sky Sports: “(Jurgen) Klopp’s kids against the blue billion-pound bottlejobs”.

Gary Neville’s brutal verdict on Chelsea squad after Carabao Cup final heartbreak

Carabao Cup build-up marred by ticketing chaos outside Wembley

07:45 , Karl Matchett

The Carabao Cup final was hit by ticketing issues in the build up to kick off that saw at least hundreds of fans queuing outside the gate.

In the half an hour before kick off, there were crowds of both sets of fans left struggling to get in.

Sky Sports reported that there was an issue initially affecting Liverpool fans, but the same problem was also evident at both gates.

Carabao Cup build-up marred by ticketing chaos outside Wembley

Jurgen Klopp joins Liverpool team to sing ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ after Carabao Cup win

07:00 , Mike Jones

Jurgen Klopp joined his Liverpool team to sing a rendition of ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ after winning the Carabao Cup in extra time on Sunday 25 February.

Pushing aside his colleagues, Klopp goes towards the fans assembled in Wembley Stadium to encourage the singing of the iconic football anthem.

Liverpool beat Chelsea in the final 1-0 after a tense regular-time game brought on a late extra-time goal scored by captain Virgil van Dijk.

Watch Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp lift the Carabao Cup

06:00 , Mike Jones

Jamie Redknapp on magic of Jurgen Klopp

05:00 , Mike Jones

Speaking on Sky Sports, former Liverpool player Jamie Redknapp said: “What a man. How do you follow that? How do you follow Jurgen Klopp?

“Trying to come to Liverpool after what he’s done and what he’s created, it’s virtually impossible. It is. The guy is just such a leader of men.

“He’s led a city, every Liverpool fan around the world has looked up to that man and what he’s achieved.

“He’s turned around a club that was struggling at the time and made everyone believe in what he was trying to achieve, and even those young players he has given opportunities to, the belief he has got in all of them.

“He’s just an incredible human being.”

Liverpool celebrate winning the Carabao Cup

04:00 , Mike Jones

Liverpool celebrate winning the Carabao Cup

03:00 , Mike Jones

Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino:

02:00 , Mike Jones

“We created four, five, six big chances and we didn’t score. In a game like today and in a final to score first, it is a big advantage. We didn’t score and that is a bit of a problem. We conceded in the last minute and it is difficult to react.

“They [the players] are professional, they need to feel the pain. We played for a trophy we didn’t get. They need to feel the pain like us.

“The players feel the disappointment because we were so close to winning the game after 90 minutes.

“We need to take positive things, need to push, use this type of game to learn and be better. I think we really competed if you don’t score with chances we had it’s difficult to win the final.

“That is why, we lost final we need to be clinical in front of goal and we congratulate Liverpool and keep going. The way you lose is so painful but now we need to keep going keep moving.

“They scored and we didn’t score.”

Jurgen Klopp giving his reaction to Liverpool’s win

01:00 , Mike Jones

“What happened here was absolutely insane, these things are not possible. The team, a squad, an academy full of character. I am so proud I could be part of that tonight.

“The craziest thing is we deserved it. We had lucky moments, they had lucky moments. The boys showed up, it was really cool.

“I am sure we brought on all the kids! We needed fresh legs, they were fresh but very young, but they did the job.

“The boys have trained for a long time with us, they know exactly what we have to do. They are a pain, to be honest, that is what you have to be in these moments. But not only them, how about Harvey Elliot for 120 miutes, [Wataru] Endo walked to the ceremoney with the stiffest legs.

“We didn’t mention Conor [Bradley], he was so good. Caoimhin [Kelleher], he was so good. We have the best keeper in the world and the best number two.”

Jurgen Klopp’s youngsters leave Chelsea with a billion regrets after late Carabao Cup victory

00:00 , Mike Jones

By the end, it was the sort of side only seen on the pitch together in pre-season friendlies. There was Jayden Danns, James McConnell and Bobby Clark, who have two first-team starts for Liverpool between them. And they were taking on Chelsea, flush from spending £1bn, in the most expensive makeover in footballing history.

But money couldn’t buy Chelsea a trophy or the spirit, ambition and resolve of Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool side. The first silverware of the season, the first of a possible quadruple, went to the kindergarten Klopps, to the kids who left Chelsea with a billion regrets. This was another example of Klopp’s ability to script the improbable. The last chapters in his story may be as astonishing as some of the earlier ones.

Klopp’s youngsters leave Chelsea with a billion regrets after League Cup victory

Conor Gallagher’s three Carabao Cup final misses sum up Chelsea’s crisis

Sunday 25 February 2024 23:30 , Mike Jones

And so the long walk began.

The head dropped, the shoulders sank and Conor Gallagher ran his hand across his face for a final time, the pain of his three misses in the Carabao Cup final written deep in his eyes. Chelsea’s wait for domestic silverware and their Wembley curse continues, with four straight defeats in finals, three of them now to Liverpool.

Yet Gallagher, on a different day, would have been a worthy match-winner for this Chelsea, a symbol of a new era. He came off exhausted, largely very good in an otherwise sloppy and disjointed performance from his team, but three lung-bursting runs into the Liverpool penalty box brought three opportunities.

They were wasted and Chelsea, by the end, could have no complaints after they were denied by Virgil van Dijk’s winner.

Conor Gallagher’s three Carabao Cup final misses sum up Chelsea’s crisis

Liverpool finally find a way to end improbable cup final affliction in unexpected fashion

Sunday 25 February 2024 23:00 , Mike Jones

In the end at Wembley, penalties were not quite required, but otherwise, fans watching at home and from afar could be forgiven for wondering if it was a two-year old replay unfolding before their eyes.

Caoimhin Kelleher heroics against Chelsea? Check. VAR-led disallowed goals? Check. Woodwork hit by both teams? Check again. And above all else, the unusual sight of Liverpool failing to match their usual exploits in the final third, both in terms of creating chance and - more importantly - taking them.

For a club which habitually nets over 100 a season - they were at the century mark already for 2023/24 heading into this game - cup finals seem to render them improbably impotent in the penalty box. Even last year, when cup finals were a distant dream, the Reds scored 103 in all competitions.

Liverpool finally find a way to end improbable cup final affliction

Liverpool’s matchwinner Virgil van Dijk:

Sunday 25 February 2024 22:44 , Mike Jones

“All the young boys on the pitch, in extra time. It’s incredible, I’m so proud of the team.

“Intense game for both sides, they had chances we had chances. Amazing. First trophy as Liverpool captain, it’s all for the fans so let’s enjoy it.

“It’s emotion, it’s everything I am so proud of the boys. All of the young boys playing their part in what we achieved today it’s incredible and on to more.”

A glimpse into Liverpool’s future

Sunday 25 February 2024 22:14 , Mike Jones

Jayden Danns, Bobby Clark and James McConnell all featured for Liverpool in this Carabao Cup final - the most teenagers to do so since Arsenal in the 2007 final.

All three came away with winners medals.

Liverpool’s youngsters react to win

Sunday 25 February 2024 21:50 , Mike Jones

Conor Bradley, speaking to Sky Sports: “He’s such special manager, I just want to enjoy every moment with him now and win everything we can for him.

“I don’t think I can put it into words, I have supported this club since I was about five years old to win a trophy with them at Wembley it’s just special.”

Bobby Clark said: “When he [Klopp] called my name and said I was going on it was an unbelievable feeling. Klopp fills you with confidence, gives you freedom, really lets you do your thing.”

Luis Diaz’s reaction to Liverpool’s win

Sunday 25 February 2024 21:30 , Mike Jones

Liverpool forward Luis Diaz spoke with a translator at the end of the game saying: “It was a very tough match and big matches are played this way.

“We have a year with lots of matches, prepare like that for every game, we knew it would be a challenge but we prepared really well.”

On what it means, via a translator: “He dedicates this title to his mum and dad for everything they have been through it means a lot to be able to celebrate with them.”

Liverpool celebrate Carabao Cup win

Sunday 25 February 2024 21:04 , Mike Jones

Jurgen Klopp hits out at referee after Ryan Gravenberch injury

Sunday 25 February 2024 20:47 , Mike Jones

Liverpool’s injury woes took a turn for the worse when Ryan Gravenberch was carried off on a stretcher less than half an hour into the Carabao Cup final.

Virgil van Dijk’s header won the game for Liverpool with just three minutes left of extra time, after the sides could not be separated, but it was a team of youngsters who were on the field for the final whistle.

Conor Bradley was named in the starting XI, with first-choice right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold ruled out with a lateral collateral ligament injury.

Jurgen Klopp hits out at referee after Ryan Gravenberch injury

Liverpool celebrate Carabao Cup victory

Sunday 25 February 2024 20:20 , Mike Jones

Liverpool win the Carabao Cup

Sunday 25 February 2024 20:00 , Mike Jones

Caoimhín Kelleher hasn’t conceded a goal in either of his two finals for Liverpool (both vs Chelsea), despite facing 13 shots on target and 3.9 xG on target.

Liverpool win the Carabao Cup

Sunday 25 February 2024 19:40 , Mike Jones

Liverpool have won the League Cup for the 10th time – the most by any team in the history of the competition.

Two of those have come under current manager Jurgen Klopp, with only Bob Paisley (three) winning it more often in charge of the Reds.

Liverpool celebrate Carabao Cup victory

Sunday 25 February 2024 19:22 , Mike Jones

Jurgen Klopp joins Liverpool team to sing ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ after Carabao Cup win

Sunday 25 February 2024 19:22 , Mike Jones

Jurgen Klopp joined his Liverpool team to sing a rendition of ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ after winning the Carabao Cup in extra time on Sunday 25 February.

Pushing aside his colleagues, Klopp goes towards the fans assembled in Wembley Stadium to encourage the singing of the iconic football anthem.

Liverpool beat Chelsea in the final 1-0 after a tense regular-time game brought on a late extra-time goal scored by captain Virgil van Dijk.

More from Pochettino:

Sunday 25 February 2024 19:11 , Mike Jones

“We need to take positive things, need to push, use this type of game to learn and be better. I think we really competed if you don’t score with chances we had it’s difficult to win the final.

“That is why, we lost final we need to be clinical in front of goal and we congratulate Liverpool and keep going. The way you lose is so painful but now we need to keep going keep moving.

“They scored and we didn’t score.”

Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino:

Sunday 25 February 2024 19:07 , Mike Jones

“We created four, five, six big chances and we didn’t score. In a game like today and in a final to score first, it is a big advantage. We didn’t score and that is a bit of a problem. We conceded in the last minute and it is difficult to react.

“They [the players] are professional, they need to feel the pain. We played for a trophy we didn’t get. They need to feel the pain like us.

“The players feel the disappointment because we were so close to winning the game after 90 minutes.”

Watch Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp lift the Carabao Cup

Sunday 25 February 2024 19:00 , Mike Jones

More from Jurgen Klopp

Sunday 25 February 2024 18:52 , Mike Jones

“There were two teams fighting very hard, and the referee didn’t have the level of the game. It was not even a foul?! Then the fourth official explaining we cannot give a card... good idea. This situation was obvious for me, everything you need for a card.

“They did an x-ray [on Gravenberch], it is not broken but the ligaments got something. I actually feel really bad, but everything else is really good.

“We don’t have a team right now for Wednesday [FA cup match vs Southampton]. The guys who came on can maybe play again, the rest will get treatment on Monday.

“I love this country to bits, but the schedule is not made for winning a lot. We will see the price we have to pay, but we fight for everything then we see what comes next.

“Somehow against Southampton there will be a team in Liverpool shirts.

“I finally found my family in the stands, they were very happy. The rest, I need to process.”

Jurgen Klopp giving his reaction to Liverpool’s win

Sunday 25 February 2024 18:50 , Mike Jones

"What happened here was absolutely insane, these things are not possible. The team, a squad, an academy full of character. I am so proud I could be part of that tonight.

"The craziest thing is we deserved it. We had lucky moments, they had lucky moments. The boys showed up, it was really cool.

"I am sure we brought on all the kids! We needed fresh legs, they were fresh but very young, but they did the job.

"The boys have trained for a long time with us, they know exactly what we have to do. They are a pain, to be honest, that is what you have to be in these moments. But not only them, how about Harvey Elliot for 120 miutes, [Wataru] Endo walked to the ceremoney with the stiffest legs.

"We didn't mention Conor [Bradley], he was so good. Caoimhin [Kelleher], he was so good. We have the best keeper in the world and the best number two."

Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher giving his reaction:

Sunday 25 February 2024 18:43 , Mike Jones

“These are the moments you dream about. It’s better for the heart than penalties! Another amazing moment for me, I’m delighted.

“We won’t get ahead of ourselves, but this is great for momentum. We are in a good place right now.

“He’s [Virgil van Dijk] unbelievable, always fit, always showing up for us. He is pushing us on to win more trophies.”

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk, speaking to Sky Sports:

Sunday 25 February 2024 18:39 , Mike Jones

“Amazing, an amazing evening. We got the job done, I’m proud of the team.

“He’s [Caoinhim Kelleher] world class, and he stepped up again today. He’s a good keeper, what we need at a club like Liverpool.

“When you’re younger and get an opportunity you have to grab it with both hands. They should use this to kick on, and I’m sure they will, they should keep pushing to get close to the first team and be part of the squad. Being part of this as a teenager only benefits you.

“I won’t speak too soon, but hopefully we can win a few more. The talk about it being Klopp’s last season is not from within the squad, that is from the outside.”

Conor Gallagher’s three Carabao Cup final misses sum up Chelsea’s crisis

Sunday 25 February 2024 18:35 , Mike Jones

And so the long walk began.

The head dropped, the shoulders sank and Conor Gallagher ran his hand across his face for a final time, the pain of his three misses in the Carabao Cup final written deep in his eyes. Chelsea’s wait for domestic silverware and their Wembley curse continues, with four straight defeats in finals, three of them now to Liverpool.

Yet Gallagher, on a different day, would have been a worthy match-winner for this Chelsea, a symbol of a new era. He came off exhausted, largely very good in an otherwise sloppy and disjointed performance from his team, but three lung-bursting runs into the Liverpool penalty box brought three opportunities.

They were wasted and Chelsea, by the end, could have no complaints after they were denied by Virgil van Dijk’s winner.

Conor Gallagher’s three Carabao Cup final misses sum up Chelsea’s crisis

Liverpool finally find a way to end improbable cup final affliction in unexpected fashion

Sunday 25 February 2024 18:32 , Mike Jones

In the end at Wembley, penalties were not quite required, but otherwise, fans watching at home and from afar could be forgiven for wondering if it was a two-year old replay unfolding before their eyes.

Caoimhin Kelleher heroics against Chelsea? Check. VAR-led disallowed goals? Check. Woodwork hit by both teams? Check again. And above all else, the unusual sight of Liverpool failing to match their usual exploits in the final third, both in terms of creating chance and - more importantly - taking them.

For a club which habitually nets over 100 a season - they were at the century mark already for 2023/24 heading into this game - cup finals seem to render them improbably impotent in the penalty box. Even last year, when cup finals were a distant dream, the Reds scored 103 in all competitions.

Liverpool finally find a way to end improbable cup final affliction

Liverpool win the Carabao Cup

Sunday 25 February 2024 18:29 , Mike Jones

Liverpool win the Carabao Cup

Sunday 25 February 2024 18:24 , Mike Jones

Ryan Gravenberch is celebrating on the pitch with the rest of his team. The midfielder is on crutches with a protective boot on after getting injured during the game.

He’ll think it was all worth it at this minute though.

Gary Neville gives brutal verdict on Chelsea squad after Carabao Cup final heartbreak

Sunday 25 February 2024 18:17 , Mike Jones

Gary Neville wrote the headlines when he made a decisive statement in the aftermath of Virgil van Dijk’s winning goal for Liverpool against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final.

The game looked like it might go to penalties without a goal, just like the 2022 final had done between the two sides, but Liverpool’s captain and most experienced player timed his run perfectly to head home a Kostas Tsimikas corner with just three minutes of extra time remaining.

When the final whistle blew, Neville, proclaimed as co-commentator on Sky Sports: “(Jurgen) Klopp’s kids against the blue billion-pound bottlejobs”.

Gary Neville’s brutal verdict on Chelsea squad after Carabao Cup final heartbreak

Jurgen Klopp’s youngsters leave Chelsea with a billion regrets after late Carabao Cup victory

Sunday 25 February 2024 18:17 , Mike Jones

By the end, it was the sort of side only seen on the pitch together in pre-season friendlies. There was Jayden Danns, James McConnell and Bobby Clark, who have two first-team starts for Liverpool between them. And they were taking on Chelsea, flush from spending £1bn, in the most expensive makeover in footballing history.

But money couldn’t buy Chelsea a trophy or the spirit, ambition and resolve of Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool side. The first silverware of the season, the first of a possible quadruple, went to the kindergarten Klopps, to the kids who left Chelsea with a billion regrets. This was another example of Klopp’s ability to script the improbable. The last chapters in his story may be as astonishing as some of the earlier ones.

Klopp’s youngsters leave Chelsea with a billion regrets after League Cup victory

Jamie Redknapp on magic of Jurgen Klopp

Sunday 25 February 2024 18:14 , Mike Jones

Speaking on Sky Sports, former Liverpool player Jamie Redknapp said: “What a man. How do you follow that? How do you follow Jurgen Klopp?

“Trying to come to Liverpool after what he’s done and what he’s created, it’s virtually impossible. It is. The guy is just such a leader of men.

“He’s led a city, every Liverpool fan around the world has looked up to that man and what he’s achieved.

“He’s turned around a club that was struggling at the time and made everyone believe in what he was trying to achieve, and even those young players he has given opportunities to, the belief he has got in all of them.

“He’s just an incredible human being.”

Liverpool win the Carabao Cup

Sunday 25 February 2024 18:11 , Mike Jones

The celebrations begin for Liverpool, the new Carabao Cup champions.

Liverpool win the Carabao Cup

Sunday 25 February 2024 18:08 , Mike Jones

The Liverpool fans serenade the team and managers with a rendition of ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ and Klopp looks emotional on the Wembley pitch.

Here’s the team lifting the cup:

Post-match reaction from Van Dijk

Sunday 25 February 2024 18:04 , Mike Jones

The Liverpool captain was asked if he is savouring this moment with manager Jurgen Klopp who is leaving at the end of the season. He replied: “You should always savour the good moments, this is definitely one of them.

“Listen, we will never take things for granted and you see today it could have been the other was as well that we lost but we did a job, even with all the problems we have had before the game.

“I’m so proud, proud to be part of this club and especially proud of the boys.”

Liverpool’s matchwinner Virgil van Dijk speaking to Sky Sports

Sunday 25 February 2024 18:00 , Mike Jones

“So much. All the young boys on the pitch, in extra time. It’s incredible, I’m so proud of the team.

“Intense game for both sides, they had chances we had chances. Amazing. First trophy as Liverpool captain, it’s all for the fans so let’s enjoy it.

“It’s emotion, it’s everything I am so proud of the boys. All of the young boys playing their part in what we achieved today it’s incredible and on to more.”

FT Chelsea 0-1 Liverpool

Sunday 25 February 2024 17:57 , Mike Jones

Jurgen Klopp and Virgil van Dijk meet in the middle of the stands and the Liverpool captain lifts the cup with his head coach. They hoist it into the sky and the music plays.

The celebrations begin, Liverpol are the Carabao Cup champions for 2024.

Extra-time full-time! Chelsea 0-1 Liverpool

Sunday 25 February 2024 17:42 , Mike Jones

120+3 mins: There goes the whistle! Liverpool have done it. With their youngsters and the experienced head of Virgil van Dijk the Reds have come to Wembley and swept Chelsea aside again.

Jurgen Klopp celebrates. The fans celebrate. Liverpool are the Carabao Cup champions.

Chelsea 0-1 Liverpool

Sunday 25 February 2024 17:41 , Mike Jones

120 mins: There’s three minutes of added time to play. Three minutes for Liverpool to hold on to this lead. Chelsea are imploding.

GOAL! Chelsea 0-1 Liverpool (Van Dijk, 118’)⚽️

Sunday 25 February 2024 17:38 , Mike Jones

118 mins: GOAL!

It’s that man Virgil van Dijk who scores for Liverpool. A corner ball is whipped in by Kostas Tsimikas and the Liverpool captain leaps up highest and bombs his header into the far bottom corner.

Petrovic leaps across but he can’t get there. Two minutes or so to play can Chelsea respond?

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

Sunday 25 February 2024 17:35 , Mike Jones

117 mins: Save! Tsimikas swings a cross in from the left and finds Elliott on the back post. The Liverpool man turns it towards goal but Petrovic drops low and keeps it out with his left leg.

Danns tries to scurry it over the line but Petrovic recovers and grabs hold of the ball.

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

Sunday 25 February 2024 17:32 , Mike Jones

114 mins: Ben Chilwell jogs off the pitch for Chelsea with Trevoh Chalobah brought on to replace him for these last few minutes. That’s a bit surprising as Chilwell can take a mean penalty.

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

Sunday 25 February 2024 17:30 , Mike Jones

111 mins: Chelsea now push up the pitch with Madueke on one side and Mudryk on the other both causing problems with dribbles and dashes into the penalty area.

Madueke dances inside from the right and curls a left-footed shot at goal. There’s a slight deflection which makes things easier for Kelleher who smothers the effort despite a little fumble.

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

Sunday 25 February 2024 17:27 , Mike Jones

108 mins: McConnell drags Palmer back as Chelsea look to break on the counter attack. It’s a cynical tackle from the youngster but a good one as it allows Liverpool to get back into shape.

Extra-time second half! Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

Sunday 25 February 2024 17:25 , Mike Jones

Jarell Quansah has been brought on for Liverpool with Ibrahima Konate the man replaced. Will these youngsters feel the pressure of a penalty shootout if this match goes that far?

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

Sunday 25 February 2024 17:21 , Mike Jones

105+1 mins: One half of extra-time comes to an end with neither side managing to get a breakthrough. That 15 minutes belonged to Liverpool, can Chelsea respond in the next 15?

Quarter of an hour to go until penalties.

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

Sunday 25 February 2024 17:17 , Mike Jones

102 mins: The Liverpool fans are in full voice once again with a muted response from the Chelsea supporters. On the pitch the Blues are starting to get into the half though there’s only a few minutes left before a break.

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

Sunday 25 February 2024 17:14 , Mike Jones

99 mins: Close! Luis Diaz receives the ball and spins towards goal before floating a cross over to the back post.

Harvey Elliott is there to meet the ball on the volley but pings his effort into the ground and watches as the ball rattles into the wrong part of the side-netting.

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

Sunday 25 February 2024 17:13 , Mike Jones

98 mins: Chelsea have started slowly here and look leggy in comparison to Liverpool’s young substitutes. Conor Gallagher seems to have run himself into the ground and is taken off for Noni Madueke.

Liverpool win a free kick that Tsimikas curls to the back post. Konate keeps it alive but sends his own cross into the hands of Petrovic.

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

Sunday 25 February 2024 17:10 , Mike Jones

96 mins: Kostas Tsimikas swings a corner into the penalty area as Chelsea put everyone inside the box. The initial ball is nodded away but Liverpool recycle it over to Van Dijk.

He heads the ball across to Danns who powers a header of his own at goal only for Petrovic to palm the ball over the top of the crossbar.

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

Sunday 25 February 2024 17:07 , Mike Jones

93 mins: Elliott whips in a cross from the right and almost picks out Danns in the box. The ball drifts over the top of his head and Chelsea scurry to clear the ball away from Luis Diaz.

Bright start to extra-time for Liverpool.

Extra-time! Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

Sunday 25 February 2024 17:05 , Mike Jones

Chelsea kick off extra-time. 30 more minutes to play at Wembley. Will Jurgen Klopp regret bringing on his youngsters? Chelsea are the team in the ascendancey.

Full-time! Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

Sunday 25 February 2024 17:01 , Mike Jones

90+6 mins: There goes the whistle to bring the first 90 minutes to an end. The teams have somehow played out a goalless stalemate despite hitting the woodwork and having a goal each disallowed.

There’s another 30 minutes yet to play at Wembley and possibly a penalty shootout.

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

Sunday 25 February 2024 16:55 , Mike Jones

90+2 mins: Oh my word!

The ball will not go in the net. Nkunku, Palmer, Gusto and Nkunku again all have shots from the right side of the penalty but between Kelleher and Konate they are all denied.

Wonderful defending but Chelsea have their tails up in these potentially closing moments.

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

Sunday 25 February 2024 16:53 , Mike Jones

90 mins: Mykhailo Mudryk comes on for Chelsea with Nicolas Jackson the man to give way. There’s six minutes of added time to play before extra time.

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

Sunday 25 February 2024 16:51 , Mike Jones

88 mins: Jurgen Klopp makes a triple changes and brings on his youthful substitutes. Jayden Danns, James McConnell and Kostas Tsimikas all come on to replace Andy Robertson, Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo.

What an occasion this is for these youngsters.

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

Sunday 25 February 2024 16:49 , Mike Jones

85 mins: Chance! That was the moment.

Cole Palmer receives the ball from Enzo Fernandez and dances down the right wing as Chelsea burst forward. Christopher Nkunku takes the defenders away as Palmer threads a perfect pass through to Conor Gallagher.

He tips the ball into the box but Caoimhim Kelleher is on top of him immediately and Gallagher’s shot is charged down by the goalkeeper!

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

Sunday 25 February 2024 16:45 , Mike Jones

82 mins: Ibrahima Konate goes in the book for a wayward challenge on Enzo Fernandez. There is a degree of desperation to proceedings now as both teams try to win the game without giving up the chance of losing it.

There are a lot of nervous faces in the crowd now.

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

Sunday 25 February 2024 16:42 , Mike Jones

79 mins: One goal will win this game.

Whoever scores inside the 90 minutes will be crowned Carabao Cup champions. Can one of the teams find that winning goal?

Elliott picks out Gomez on the right side of the box and his effort is smoked straight into the hands of Petrovic.

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

Sunday 25 February 2024 16:39 , Mike Jones

76 mins: Post!

Cole Palmer drives the ball down the right wing before feeding a wonderful pass into the box for Conor Gallagher. He sweeps into a gap between Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate then guides the ball towards the back post.

His aim is too good and the ball hits the upright before rebounding back into play where Liverpool belt it clear.

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

Sunday 25 February 2024 16:38 , Mike Jones

75 mins: Clark’s first impact on the game is to win a corner which Alexis Mac Allister sends into the penalty area. The ball hits Ibrahima Konate in the chest and he is unable to control it properly meaning Chelsea work it clear.

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

Sunday 25 February 2024 16:35 , Mike Jones

73 mins: 19-year-old Bobby Clark comes on for Liverpool now for Liverpool with Conor Bradley the man taken off. There’s a touch over quarter of an hour left to play with a potential half an hour added on if this match goes to extra time.

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

Sunday 25 February 2024 16:34 , Mike Jones

72 mins: Close! Luis Diaz goes direct and drives through the middle of Chelsea’s formation before offloading the ball to Cody Gakpo.

Gakpo shoots first time but leans back on the effort and loops it over the crossbar!

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

Sunday 25 February 2024 16:32 , Mike Jones

69 mins: Mauricio Pochettino has made a change for Chelsea with Christopher Nkunku brought on to replace Raheem Sterling. The Chelsea boss obviously feels a direct approach is needed to break through the Liverpool defence.

The free kick is nodded out for a corner which then gets swung into the six yard area. Axel Disasi bursts forward to meet the ball but knees his effort over the crossbar.

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

Sunday 25 February 2024 16:30 , Mike Jones

66 mins: Andy Robertson has a couple of swipes at Conor Gallagher and takes out the Chelsea midfielder over by the Liverpool corner flag.

Chelsea have a big chance to whip the ball in here.

Disallowed! Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

Sunday 25 February 2024 16:27 , Mike Jones

63 mins: Disallowed!

VAR has had its say on the game and Liverpool’s goal has been ruled out for offside. Wataru Endo was in a offside position when the ball was swung in.

He blocked a defender from getting to Virgil van Dijk and thus the goal doesn’t stand.

GOAL! Chelsea 0-1 Liverpool (Van Dijk, 60’)⚽️

Sunday 25 February 2024 16:25 , Mike Jones

60 mins: Liverpool take the lead!

They win a free kick over on the left wing which Andy Robertson swings into the middle of the penalty area. Ben Chilwell is marking Virgil van Dijk but gets brushed aside as the Liverpool captain gets his head to the ball first.

He nods it into the bottom corner of the net and sends Liverpool in front.

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

Sunday 25 February 2024 16:22 , Mike Jones

57 mins: Cole Palmer drives down the wing but in the absence of options he takes a shot a smokes it wide of goal.

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

Sunday 25 February 2024 16:16 , Mike Jones

54 mins: Nearly!

There’s a collective groan from the Chelsea fans as they fail to make use of a fantastic opportunity. There’s too much space between Joe Gomez and Conor Bradley meaning Nicolas Jackson gets to carry the ball into the box.

He slips it to Conor Gallagher who picks out Enzo Fernandez. Raheem Sterling is free and wants the ball but Fernandez attempts to backheel a shot into the net and messes up.

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

Sunday 25 February 2024 16:13 , Mike Jones

51 mins: Harvey Elliott is always eager to chase after the ball and nicks it away from Enzo Fernandez only to run the ball out of play on right wing.

Chelsea then send it long towards Nicolas Jackson. The forward gets into a tangle with Ibrahima Konate and both men hit the deck.

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

Sunday 25 February 2024 16:10 , Mike Jones

48 mins: Close! Luis Diaz is played in behind down the left and carries the ball into the box. He looks to square the ball but Axel Disasi is on hand to turn it behind for a corner.

The initial ball is nodded away by the Blues but a scrap in the edge of the box sees the ball bobble loose to Endo who whips a shot wide of the far post!

Second half! Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

Sunday 25 February 2024 16:07 , Mike Jones

Chelsea get the ball rolling at Wembley once again.

This is a big 45 minutes for Liverpool, Chelsea have more experienced options from the bench so the longer this match goes on the better off the Blues will be.

An opening goal could be crucial for either team.

Ryan Gravenberch adds to Liverpool’s mounting injury woes

Sunday 25 February 2024 16:04 , Mike Jones

Liverpool’s injury woes took a turn for the worse when Ryan Gravenberch was carried off on a stretcher less than half an hour into the Carabao Cup final.

Jurgen Klopp was already forced into naming a youthful side, with very few experienced options on the bench for the clash.

Conor Bradley was named in the starting XI, with first-choice right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold ruled out with a lateral collateral ligament injury.

Ryan Gravenberch adds to Liverpool’s mounting injury woes

Why do Liverpool fans boo the national anthem?

Sunday 25 February 2024 16:00 , Mike Jones

Many Liverpool fans booed the national anthem as it was played at Wembley Stadium before Sunday’s Carabao Cup final against Chelsea.

Liverpool supporters have a long-held opposition towards the establishment, with the booing of the national anthem becoming widespread in the 1980s and during the Conservative government’s “managed decline” of the city. The failings of the government following the Hillsborough disaster further entrenched those feelings.

That anger against social and economic inequality among a left-leaning city and fanbase have remained, and the national anthem continues to be booed when Liverpool play showpiece finals, and those exceptional moments when the national anthem is played before Premier League games, as was the case on the day of King Charles III’s coronation.

Why do Liverpool fans boo the national anthem?

Carabao Cup build-up marred by ticketing chaos outside Wembley

Sunday 25 February 2024 15:56 , Mike Jones

The Carabao Cup final was hit by ticketing issues in the build up to kick off that saw at least hundreds of fans queuing outside the gate.

In the half an hour before kick off, there were crowds of both sets of fans left struggling to get in.

Sky Sports reported that there was an issue initially affecting Liverpool fans, but the same problem was also evident at both gates.

Carabao Cup build-up marred by ticketing chaos outside Wembley

Half-time! Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

Sunday 25 February 2024 15:52 , Mike Jones

45+6 mins: The whistle goes to end an event filled first half at Wembley. The only thing lacking is a goal. Plenty of talking points for the managers at the break.

Everything is still to play for in the second half.

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

Sunday 25 February 2024 15:49 , Mike Jones

45+3 mins: Now then. We’ve got a scuffle on our hands after a coming together between Conor Bradley and Ben Chilwell. The pair square off and have a little barney which earns both players a yellow card but things quickly settle down.

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

Sunday 25 February 2024 15:46 , Mike Jones

45 mins: Liverpool’s attacking players line up to take shots from inside the box but Chelsea hold their nerve and manage to keep the ball out before scooping it away from the danger zone.

There’s six minutes of added time to play at the end of this half.

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

Sunday 25 February 2024 15:44 , Mike Jones

42 mins: Half time is quickly approaching with the teams still deadlocked at Wembley. This has been a thoroughly entertaining first half though neither side has managed to find the back of the net.

Will there be a goal before the break?

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

Sunday 25 February 2024 15:41 , Mike Jones

39 mins: Post!

Diaz comes down the left side and links up with Mac Allister. The ball is rolled back to Robertson who lifts a dainty cross into the penalty area.

Gakpo leaps into the air, wins the header and nods it into the back post before Chelsea scramble it clear!

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

Sunday 25 February 2024 15:38 , Mike Jones

36 mins: Sterling makes adart down the left wing and collects a chipped pass over the top. He feeds it into the box for Gallagher who pulls it back.

Palmer is on hand but gets beaten to the ball and Kelleher smothers the danger.

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

Sunday 25 February 2024 15:34 , Mike Jones

32 mins: Disallowed!

Chelsea get the ball in the back of the net first as an aerial ball comes over to Cole Palmer. He feeds it down the line for Nicolas Jackson’s run through the middle of the centre-backs.

He collects the ball, drives into the right side of the box and curls a pass across to Raheem Sterling who slots it home with ease.

The assistant referee sends the offside flag up and a quick delay for a VAR check shows that his decision was correct.

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

Sunday 25 February 2024 15:32 , Mike Jones

30 mins: Chelsea have settled down a bit. They’re seeing more of the ball and getting into Liverpool’s half as the Reds try to gel in the new formation.

Jurgen Klopp doesn’t look to have relaxed on the sidelines yet. He’s still ticking.

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

Sunday 25 February 2024 15:28 , Mike Jones

27 mins: The lack of experienced substitutes for Liverpool mean that Jurgen Klopp does not have a like-for-like replacement for Ryan Gravenberch.

Jurgen Klopp is fuming with the officials on the sidelines over that tackle.

Liverpool have undergone a formation changes with Gomez slotting in at right-back and Conor Bradley pushed onto the right wing and Harvey Elliott dropped into midfield.

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

Sunday 25 February 2024 15:26 , Mike Jones

24 mins: Ryan Gravenberch is the victim of a heavy tackle that gets Mo Salah and many of the Liverpool back room staff out of their seats.

Moises Caicedo landed on Gravenberch’s ankle which twisted under him. The stretcher is being brought out for the Liverpool midfielder which is another injury they don’t need.

Joe Gomez is getting ready to come on.

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

Sunday 25 February 2024 15:22 , Mike Jones

21 mins: Save!

Huge moment. Chelsea break up the pitch after feeding the ball across to Conor Gallagher on the right side. He curls a low pass across the box and picks out Raheem Sterling on the run.

Sterling can’t control the ball but it bounces into the path of Cole Palmer who rattles one at goal only for Caoimhim Kelleher to leap to his left and stop the ball with his body.

Massive save from the Liverpool goalkeeper.

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

Sunday 25 February 2024 15:20 , Mike Jones

20 mins: Conor Bradley is fed the ball after drifting into midfield and spins away from Enzo Fernandez. He carries it within range of goal and takes a shot only for the first defender, may Ben Chilwell, to get the block in.

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

Sunday 25 February 2024 15:18 , Mike Jones

18 mins: The Liverpool fans have been the loudest inside the stadium and their team is replicating that enthusiasm on the pitch. Chelsea, bar a couple of set pieces, haven’t really threatened and look nervous and shaky at the back.

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

Sunday 25 February 2024 15:16 , Mike Jones

15 mins: Chance!

Axel Disasi is caught in possession deep inside his own half by Cody Gakpo. Gakpo releases the ball to Luis Diaz who takes it into the area and shoots only for Petrovic to drop low and smother the effort.

Big opportunity for Liverpool that one.

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