In the 118th minute, Virgil van Dijk soared to connect with a crucial header, clinching a 1-0 triumph for a spirited Liverpool squad over Chelsea in the EFL Cup final. This victory marked the first instance of Jürgen Klopp lifting the same trophy twice during his tenure with the Reds, adding to his impressive collection of seven individual accolades with the club.
Chelsea had entered the match with hopes of igniting Mauricio Pochettino’s era, while Liverpool sought to kick off a season laden with silverware in Klopp’s farewell campaign. Despite the weight of expectation, both sides began nervously. However, Liverpool quickly found their rhythm, with Luis Díaz’s looping header posing an early threat, saved brilliantly by Đorđe Petrović, before another opportunity was denied following a slip from Axel Disasi.
In the 20th minute, Caoimhín Kelleher showcased his prowess with a superb save to thwart Cole Palmer’s strike, only for Wataru Endō to block Nicolas Jackson’s follow-up attempt. Klopp’s frustration grew when Ryan Gravenberch was forced off after a challenge from Moisés Caicedo. Chelsea had their moments, notably when Raheem Sterling found the net, only to be ruled offside by the slimmest of margins.
Despite the deadlock, the game remained intense. Van Dijk appeared to break it with a header on the hour mark, only for the goal to be disallowed due to an offside position. Conor Gallagher had his chances for Chelsea, hitting the post and forcing Kelleher into action, but failed to convert. As the match headed into added time, Christopher Nkunku’s effort was gathered safely by Kelleher.
After 90 minutes of deadlock, the match seemed destined for penalties, with Petrović denying Jayden Danns and Harvey Elliott. However, Van Dijk, with his experience, rose to the occasion, securing Liverpool’s historic 10th EFL Cup triumph. The victory also condemned Chelsea to their sixth consecutive cup final defeat at Wembley, with three of those losses inflicted by Klopp’s side.