Sports

Van Dijk header hands young Liverpool side the League Cup

Sports Desk, Feb 26 (EFE).- Virgil van Dijk’s 118th-minute header gave Liverpool a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Chelsea on Sunday and their first silverware in the season as they clinched the League Cup title for a record-extending 10th time.

The Reds had counted 11 absentees, including some big ones like Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah, and Darwin Nunez.

Adding to their woes was the injury of midfielder Ryan Gravenberch, who had to leave the field midway through the contest after a bad tackle by Moises Caicedo only to join the celebration in crutches.

Wataru Endo also departed Wembley on crutches, having damaged an ankle.

But they were lucky for the few veterans who managed to stay fit and earn their full value, with Van Dijk leading the way.

The Dutchman saved the game from a nerve-wracking penalty shootout two minutes from time, heading home a Kostas Tsimikas corner after both sides struck the woodwork and had efforts disallowed for offside.

Chelsea netted the ball in the 32nd minute, but the flag was quickly raised for offside as Nicolas Jackson went in behind early before passing the ball to Raheem Sterling.

Liverpool also had a goal ruled out after Van Dijk headed in a free-kick from Robertson, but a lengthy review found Wataru Endo offside in the build-up.

After several chances went down begging for both sides in nearly two hours of a grueling contest, Van Dijk timed his arrival perfectly on a corner kick to glance his header across Djordje Petrovic and into the far corner.

“So much. All the young boys on the pitch, if you see the extra-time, it’s incredible. I’m so proud of the team,” Van Dijk told Sky Sports after the win.

Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp was equally euphoric.

“I was proud of our people for the way they pushed us. I was proud of the staff for creating this kind of atmosphere surrounding where these boys can just do what they are best at. I was proud of our Academy,” he said.

This was the first time that Liverpool started with three players aged 21 or younger in a major final, and had three teenagers on the field by the time the game finished. EFE

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