Liverpool will be hoping to win their first trophy of the year when they play Chelsea in the Carabao Cup Final on Sunday, as Jürgen Klopp is expected to leave Anfield at the end of the current campaign. The Reds wouldn’t have an easy assignment, though, as Klopp would have to start a number of young players on the bench due to a long injury list.

Following a strong start for Liverpool, Djordje Petrovic was called into action just before the half-hour mark under the historic Wembley Arch. The Chelsea goalkeeper did a great job of deflecting a hard-driven effort from Luis Díaz.

Chelsea would, however, generate plenty of their own opportunities as well. Shortly after, Cole Palmer tried to sidefoot home from close range, and Caoimhin Kelleher was called upon to make an incredible save.

Before the half-hour mark, Ryan Gravenberch was carried off on a stretcher when Moises Caicedo challenged him, further weakening Klopp’s already thin squad.

But Liverpool would not back down, forcing two more chances before the half, first through a header from Cody Gakpo that missed the bar and then through a shot from Conor Bradley that Levi Colwill brilliantly blocked.

After Virgil van Dijk headed past Petrović after a brilliant cross from Andy Robertson, it appeared as though Liverpool had taken the lead. However, a VAR review determined that Wataru Endo had interfered with play while offside, hence the goal was disallowed.

With fifteen minutes remaining in a highly entertaining encounter, Conor Gallagher of Chelsea struck the post after a ball from Cole Palmer found its way through. This was the first Carabao Cup Final in which both teams have hit the woodwork since 2016.

After ninety minutes, if neither team could score, there would be thirty minutes of extra time. After four additional minutes, Jayden Danns appeared to have the best chance of scoring the first goal when he nodded in from a header by van Dijk. However, Petrović equaled the attempt, sending it over the crossbar.

In stoppage time, Liverpool would have plenty more opportunities, and with five minutes left, Harvey Elliott forced a superb save from Petrović. With just two minutes left, though, Virgil van Dijk would crush the Chelsea defence by nodding in a cross from Kostas Tsimikas to give the Reds the victory.

Liverpool made history by becoming the first team to win the League Cup 10 times. Before Jürgen Klopp leaves this summer, they hope to add more hardware to his trophy collection. They play Southampton in the Emirates FA Cup this coming Wednesday, and in early March they will play Sparta Praha in the round of sixteen of the UEFA Europa League.