Chelsea 0-1 Liverpool: Comprehensive Analysis As Jurgen Klopp's Young Guns Secure Reds' 10th Carabao Cup Trophy

Virgil van Dijk propelled Liverpool to a 1-0 triumph over Chelsea in the 2024 Carabao Cup final at Wembley on Sunday.

The Reds’ captain netted a crucial header deep into extra time, securing the club’s record-extending 10th title in the competition.

Van Dijk’s decisive goal in the 118th minute resulted from Kostas Tsimikas’ well-placed corner, capping a match that saw both teams hit the woodwork, had efforts disallowed for offside, and created numerous other scoring opportunities.

The victory marks the seventh major honour during Jürgen Klopp’s managerial reign, making him only the third Liverpool boss, alongside Bob Paisley and Gerard Houllier, to lift the League Cup more than once.

This triumph in the capital further solidifies Liverpool’s status as the most successful team in the competition, adding to their previous victories in 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1995, 2001, 2003, 2012, and 2022.

The win also increases the men’s team’s overall tally of major honours to an impressive 51.

For an insightful breakdown of the match, Guardian Sport’s Mark Dobson (@kellysheroesmd) is here to provide analysis.

Liverpool won their 10th League Cup trophy. Sum up the performances of both teams.

Dobson: Many pundits offered up the opinion that the game would be won when the teamsheet landed. Much was made of Liverpool’s high-profile absentees – Mohamed Salah, Darwin Núñez, and Dominik Szoboszlai – and the lack of fear factor without those players. It was a laughable take because it was Chelsea who looked scared to death in extra time. Liverpool, who entered the added 30 minutes with teenagers James McConnell and Bobby Clark in midfield against the ultra-expensive and desperately disappointing Moisés Caicedo and Enzo Fernández, enjoyed the upper hand against a bewilderingly benign Chelsea side.

It was a match the referee Chris Kavanagh will not look back on fondly. The official seemed keen to let the game flow but the reckless and dangerous challenge from Caicedo on Ryan Gravenberch – which put the midfielder out of the game and quite probably for a good few weeks – was worthy of a card. Many would argue a red card for an out-of-control and reckless challenge would have fitted the bill.

In that context, without so many first-team players against a club which has spent around £1bn, this was a joyous occasion for Jürgen Klopp. To see academy graduates Caoimhín Kelleher, Conor Bradley, Jarell Quansah, McConnell, Clark, and Jayden Danns all play pivotal roles in a cup final against Chelsea’s millionaire misfits felt like a victory for football’s soul and a validation of the ethos running through the club under Klopp and Liverpool’s academy manager Alex Inglethorpe.

It was also an occasion to remind ourselves that money doesn’t always guarantee success. Many Liverpool supporters were somewhat surprised when the club signed Wataru Endo for £16m after missing out on Caicedo and the injury-hit Roméo Lavia but the Japan captain dominated the midfield battle, offering protection to the back four and providing a calm and precise presence on the ball. He may go under the radar but he has proved to be one of the signings of the season and outwitted Chelsea’s muddled midfield.

It summed up a miserable day for Mauricio Pochettino who will look back on a final with regret. Supporters would have expected their lavishly-paid players to sink their teeth into a callow opponent but the lack of character and direction of a club resonated around Wembley as Liverpool celebrated yet another League Cup triumph.

Regarding Mauricio Pochettino’s future at the club, it could be a topic of consideration given Liverpool’s performance with a younger squad.

Dobson: There will, of course, be plenty of speculation around the manager and certainly the lack of aggression during extra time was puzzling considering they were facing an academy side with a few senior pros. I’m pretty sure that sacking an experienced Premier League manager is not the answer to Chelsea’s woes.

Handing players seven-year contracts with massive salaries is unlikely to engender a winning mentality and with so many big egos and huge salaries floating around the dressing room, it would be fascinating to unearth the motivation and culture running through the squad. It has been an excruciating, grotesque sporting experiment under their new ownership and not one that is going to spark success any time soon. The sight of Caicedo and Lavia slumped on the Wembley turf as Liverpool’s players enjoyed their champagne moment told its own story.

As for Klopp who will leave at the end of the season, this marks an incredible sendoff with a Carabao Cup triumph. Liverpool remain in contention for three more titles, including the Premier League, indicating Klopp’s ability to maintain competitiveness until the end of his tenure.

Dobson: Much will depend on how he can manage this depleted squad for the remainder of the season. In recent weeks, they have lost Alisson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Curtis Jones, Diogo Jota while Endo left Wembley on crutches and Gravenberch’s absence will leave his midfield brutally exposed.

Klopp will most likely have to lean on the kids again while Salah, Núñez and Szoboszlai may offer some respite in the coming weeks. Liverpool face Southampton in the FA Cup on Wednesday night and that lineup will be telling before the weekend trip to Nottingham in the Premier League. The academy has helped Klopp enormously this season but the squad is now stretched to the limit.

Looking ahead to Liverpool’s future post-Klopp, it will likely involve a transitional period as the club adjusts to a new managerial style and leadership. Who should take over from the German in your opinion?

Dobson: Xabi Alonso is the manager every supporter is longing for and it is impossible to look beyond the former Liverpool midfielder after his impact with Leverkusen. Fenway Sports Group struck gold when the stars aligned and Klopp was lured to Anfield back in October 2015. It is no exaggeration to say the owners have been protected by the manager’s ability to work wonders with a modest budget. FSG knows it must get this appointment – along with a new sporting director – right to maintain the club’s success and keep the owners out of the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.

Chelsea 0-1 Liverpool: Comprehensive Analysis As Jurgen Klopp’s Young Guns Secure Reds’ 10th Carabao Cup Trophy

ByJoseph Agbobli