With the additional 30 minutes about to end, Virgil van Dijk popped up to score the match-winner from a 118th-minute corner to help Liverpool secure the trophy.
Follow Us
It was a special occasion for Virgil van Dijk, as he captained Liverpool to their first trophy triumph of the season. The Dutch centre-back led a youthful side onto the pitch against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday. Liverpool were unable to field their first team due to the huge number of injuries they suffered in recent weeks. As a result, not many fancied the Reds to get the job done in the final. However, the Merseyside outfit gave a tough challenge to the Blues throughout the regulation time.
After the Carabao Cup final finished goalless in 90 minutes, it went into extra-time. With the additional 30 minutes about to end, Virgil van Dijk popped up to score the match-winner from a 118th-minute corner to help Liverpool secure the trophy. After the triumph over Chelsea, the Dutch centre-back was filled with emotions, as he praised the effort put in by his team. It also gave van Dijk the chance to clinch his first trophy as Liverpool captain.
Van Dijk informed that he had asked Jurgen Klopp to be by his side during the trophy presentation, telling Liverpoolfc.com, “I wanted him to be next to me and I’m happy that he agreed. It’s a proud moment, a special moment and something I will cherish forever.” Liverpool are still in with a shot to win three more trophies this season. Asked about the foundations this win could give the squad, he said, “Let’s hope a big platform.”
He added: “Obviously the turnaround is crazy now with playing again on Wednesday against Southampton [in the Emirates FA Cup]. We will have to do everything in our power to recover as quickly as possible, as good as possible, and hopefully get players back as soon as possible in the right way. We need everyone until the end of the season. But we are in everything so why not just go out and enjoy it? All of us, not only the players – staff, but especially the fans. It’s a beautiful time – and we have to not take these times for granted. We have to go for it and do it all together. That’s what I’m looking forward to.”
Earlier, speaking to Sky Sports, van Dijk dedicated his first trophy as the club captain to the supporters. “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. An intense game for both sides, they had chances, we had chances and [it’s] amazing. First trophy as the Liverpool captain – it’s all for the fans so let’s enjoy it,” he stated.
He added: “You should always savour the good moments and this is definitely one of them. We will never take these things for granted, we are very, very blessed and you see today as well that it could have been the other way, we could have lost. But we didn’t, we did the job, even with all the problems that we had before the game and during the game – and yeah, I am so proud. I’m always proud to be part of this club but especially proud of the boys. They all played their part so it’s all credit to the team.”
More Football Stories:
Jurgen Klopp to leave Liverpool: How did the world react to Klopp’s shock announcement?
Manchester United news: Why did Altay Bayindir decide to become a goalkeeper?
Chelsea vs Liverpool: Why was the Carabao Cup triumph the ‘most special trophy’ won by Jurgen Klopp?
Who is Lucas Bergvall’s girlfriend? Know all about Mackenzie Medlock
What is Lucas Bergvall’s net worth, salary, transfer value and endorsements?
Premier League: Which players have scored the most goals in a single season?
