A headed goal from Virgil van Dijk at the end of extra time gave Liverpool the EFL Cup against Chelsea (1-0) on Sunday afternoon at Wembley. A new trophy for Jürgen Klopp four months after his departure from the Reds.
While waiting to deliver a title race that we hope will be breathtaking with Manchester City and Arsenal, Liverpool, the current leader of the Premier League, offered themselves a (first) trophy this season. The Reds won the EFL Cup (the English League Cup) on Sunday at Wembley, after an incredible final against Chelsea (1-0 after extra time).
Jürgen Klopp had the honor of lifting the trophy, for his eighth title with the Liverpool club, after a Champions League, a European Super Cup and a Club World Cup in 2019, the Premier League in 2020, an FA Cup, an EFL Cup and a Community Shield in 2022. A great achievement for the German technician, 56, who will leave his post at the end of the season.
As a symbol, it was Virgil van Dijk, the providential man of the champion title in 2020, who made the red part of the London enclosure roar with pleasure, in the 118th minute of the match, with a shot of header at the near post at the end of extra time! The Dutch rock, already a scorer on Wednesday against Luton, first shook the net on the hour mark (60th), but Wataru Endo’s offside position was penalized by the video assistant.
The two heroic guardians!
The two goalkeepers in the match made numerous saves for 120 minutes. Djordje Petrovic saved his team against attempts by Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo or even Harvey Elliott and Jayden Dans, an 18-year-old striker who came on. On the other side of the field, Caoimhin Kelleher also had to work, Nicolas Jackson, Cole Palmer or Conor Gallagher being unable to complete counter-attacks. The two goalkeepers did not have the opportunity to play the heroes on penalties, with Petrovic finally being deceived one minute from the end…
The LFC is officially qualified for the play-off round of the next Conference League, but the Reds are on course to finish in the top 4 of the Premier League and therefore qualify for the LDC, the 6th in the English ranking (currently Manchester United) will collect this ticket for the third European Cup.
