The teams took turns burning one hot goal chance following the other and for a long time the cup final went to penalties.
But in the final minutes of extra time, Virgil van Dijk stepped forward and headed in the winning goal for Liverpool.
– There are a lot of emotions. I’m really proud of the boys. We take nothing for granted. I am proud to be part of the club but above all of our players, says the Dutchman immediately following the dramatic final.
The title is Liverpool’s first this season and they have a chance at three more, the Premier League, the FA Cup and the Europa League.
– In my 20-year career, this is undoubtedly the most special title I have ever won, says coach Jürgen Klopp following the match.
Gravenberch out on a stretcher
Otherwise, it was an injury-hit Liverpool who went to Wembley on Sunday followingnoon. Klopp, who announced earlier that he will leave at the end of the season, had to do without Alisson Becker, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Diogo Jota, Mohamed Salah and Darwin Núñez.
To mention a few.
The misery then continued in the first half when Ryan Gravenberch was carried off on a stretcher following a tough tackle signed by Moises Caicedo.
Both teams came close to a lead, but the Chelsea defense and Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher kept the clean sheet intact.
Chelsea close to deciding
Midway through the second half, Liverpool took the lead through captain Virgil van Dijk, but following a VAR review the goal was ruled out for offside. Judging from the television images, midfielder Wataru Endo was in an offside position and, according to the referee, had influenced the game.
Seconds from the end, Chelsea were close to a decider. But the finish was first covered by the defense before the ball finally ended up in Kelleher’s arms.
The tempo dropped slightly during extra time and the focus was on penalties – but then team captain Virgil van Dijk stepped forward.
