In summary
- Van Dijk, who had a goal glanced in the match-winner in the 118th
- Alex Mac Allister let fly from distance, but his shot was gathered by Petrovic.
Liverpool were crowned the 2024 Carabao Cup winners after Reds captain Virgil van Dijk netted a dramatic match-winner in extra-time at Wembley to run out 1-0 victors at the home of football.
The Reds – who have won the competition more than any other team – broke into double figures as they lifted the trophy for a record 10th time, two years on from their last triumph against the same opponent in 2022.
It was the Merseysiders who had the better of the opening exchanges as Luis Diaz connected with Andy Robertson’s cross. The Colombian’s looping header was on target but Chelsea goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic reacted quickly to the situation.
Alex Mac Allister let fly from distance, but his shot was gathered by Petrovic.
Just minutes later, Diaz came close to opening the scoring when he drew the first real save of the afternoon from the Blues stopper, as Petrovic got down well to deny the Liverpool winger.
Jurgen Klopp was forced into an early switch after Ryan Gravenberch went down under Moises Caicedo’s challenge. The Dutchman, who left the field on a stretcher, was replaced by Joe Gomez.
As the half-time whistle fast approached, Conor Bradley came close to getting his name on the scoresheet. Diaz led the attack for Liverpool and it fell to Bradley inside the penalty area as three blue shirts threw themselves into the path of the defender’s goal-bound shot as it remained goalless heading into the break.
Van Dijk Goal
Van Dijk, who had a goal ruled out in the second half, was jumping for joy this time as the defender glanced in the match-winner in the 118th minute for Liverpool to send the red half of Wembley into raptures.
The skipper headed in Tsimikas’ corner to make it 1-0 to the Merseysiders which was how it finished in the capital.
