Jurgen Klopp’s expectations for a trophy-laden finish to his Liverpool reign are off to the right start; he called Liverpool’s 10th Carabao Cup triumph as the most “special trophy” he’s ever won, and described the victory with so many young players as “absolutely exceptional”
Liverpool began their lengthy goodbye to Jurgen Klopp in style, with Virgil van Dijk’s header in the last moments of extra time securing Carabao Cup triumph for a weakened Reds side at Wembley Stadium, an accomplishment the German regarded as the most special of his career.
Klopp was without 10 first-team players at kick-off and that increased to 11 by the 28th minute as Ryan Gravenberch was carried off on a stretcher, adding to the significant absences of Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez, Dominik Szoboszlai, Diogo Jota, Curtis Jones and Trent Alexander-Arnold, as well as goalkeeper Alisson.
Only five Liverpool players from their 4-1 victory over Chelsea at Anfield less than four weeks ago started at Wembley Stadium, while the bench had six academy graduates aged 21 and younger. Liverpool’s 19-year-olds James McConnell and Bobby Clark, as well as Harvey Elliott (20) and Jarell Quansah (21) were all on the pitch when the game ended. Conor Bradley (20) had started on defence.
“What we see today is so exceptional,” a grinning Klopp said in a post-match press conference. “We may never see it again; these things don’t happen in football. I didn’t realize you didn’t win trophies with kids.
“It is without a doubt the most special trophy I have ever earned. It’s very great. I wish I could feel proud more often; tonight, it’s the overpowering sensation, and it has nothing to do with my last game at Wembley. That was how everyone contributed.
“Looking at the faces of these children. Nobody will ever forget this story since it is so painful. Tonight, if you find the same story with academy players coming on against a top team and still winning, wow.”
Despite having a critically depleted squad and practically an entire starting XI unavailable, Klopp’s team took the game to in-form Chelsea, who recorded an xG tally of 2.28 but were unable to score against stand-in goalkeeper and standout performer Caoimhin Kelleher.
Liverpool, under the circumstances, could have caved but remained bold and brave in their approach, and were forced to fight courageously before Van Dijk’s winner – headed in from a corner in the 118th minute – sealed an unlikely triumph in adversity.
Klopp continued, “I couldn’t care less about my legacy; I’m not here to create one. I’m here to perform my job. We have learned so much in this time. You need something special to celebrate every now and then, and this was it.
“We had problems before to the game, including injuries and a referee who was not up to the level of the game – no common sense again. You see exhausted players. I’m not sure who can play on Wednesday [against Southampton in the FA Cup].
“We finished the game with players who have [injury] problems. But for tonight, it is a night I will never forget. If no one else sees it like that, no problem, but for me it’s a really special memory.”
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