Liverpool defeat Chelsea, lift their 10th Carabao Cup honor: Stats
Liverpool defeated Chelsea 1-0 to win the 2023-24 edition of the Carabao Cup. Following much controversy, disallowed goals and exceptional saves, Virgil van Dijk scored the winning goal for Liverpool in the 118th minute of extra-time. His goal helped Liverpool lift their record 10th Carabao Cup title. This is their first Carabao Cup honor since the 2021-22 season. Here's more.
A brilliant outing for Conor Bradley
Liverpool youngster Conor Bradley was exceptional in such a high-voltage encounter against Chelsea. The right-back made four tackles with a 100% tackle success rate while clocking 86% passing accuracy. Bradley also completed two clearances and a crucial last-man tackle to save Liverpool from the blushes. The 20-year-old never looked out of place as he also won 66% of his aerial duels.
Here's the summary of ninety minutes
It was a cagey start as both teams took time to settle. Eventually, it was Cole Palmer who forced a stunning save from Caoimhin Kelleher in the 20th minute. Minutes later, Raheem Sterling scored but it was ruled out by VAR. The second half saw Van Dijk's goal get disallowed before Kelleher made some incredible saves to keep the score 0-0 after ninety minutes.
Liverpool script this unique Carabao Cup record
Jayden Danns (18), Bobby Clark (19), and James McConnell (19) have all featured in the Carabao Cup final for Liverpool against Chelsea. As per Opta, this is the most teenagers to appear in a League Cup final for a team since Arsenal in 2007. The Gunners back then fielded four teenagers - Theo Walcott, Cesc Fabregas, Denilson and Armand Traore.
Chelsea's forgettable record in English domestic cup finals
As per Squawka, Chelsea are the first team in English football history to lose six consecutive domestic cup finals. The Blues lost the 2019 Carabao Cup, 2020 FA Cup, 2021 FA Cup, 2022 Carabao Cup, 2022 FA Cup and now the 2024 Carabao Cup. Meanwhile, Mauricio Pochettino's wait for his first trophy in English football continues despite taking charge in 388 games.
Liverpool accomplished these records
Liverpool became the first team to win the Carabao Cup record 10 times. Two of those honors have come under Jurgen Klopp's reign. As per Opta, only Bob Paisley as Liverpool manager has won it more times than the German tactician (3). Liverpool, under Klopp, finished as the Carabao Cup runners-up in 2015-16 season. Overall, Klopp has achieved eight honors as Liverpool manager.
Virgil van Dijk scored the winning goal
Van Dijk's winner scored in the 118th minute was the latest winning goal netted in a League Cup final since Aston Villa's Brian Little in 1997. He hammered home a 119th-minute winner against Everton. Also, only three outfield players have won multiple Man of the Match awards in the Carabao Cup finals which includes John Terry, Vincent Kompany and Van Dijk.
Do you know?
Kelleher has not conceded a goal in either of his two finals for Liverpool. Surprisingly both those matches were against Chelsea. The young custodian has faced as many as 13 shots in these two games.
