Liverpool have won the Carabao Cup for the tenth time after beating Chelsea 1-0 in extra time at Wembley Stadium.
Raheem Sterling had given the Blues the lead in the first half with a close-range finish but was ruled to be in an offside position.
Meanwhile, Virgil thought he had given Jurgen Klopp’s side the lead after heading the ball home on the hour mark, but like Sterling his goal was disallowed for offside.
However, the Dutch defender rose high again with just minutes of added time to seal victory for Liverpool.
Mail Sport’s Kieran Gill gives his verdict on the Chelsea players in his match ratings.
Liverpool won the Carabao Cup for the tenth time after beating Chelsea 1-0 in extra time
Captain Virgil van Dijk rose high and headed the ball deep two minutes before the end
CHELSEA (4-2-3-1)
Djordje Petrović – 8
Heartache for Petrovic, who justified his selection on Robert Sanchez with a series of super saves, including one against Harvey Elliott. Ultimately defeated by Virgil van Dijk at the end.
Malo Gusto – 6
Some sloppiness in the early exchanges – nerves from a first cup final perhaps – but grew in the game as he entered into a sweaty confrontation with Luis Diaz.
Axel Disasi – 6
The Chelsea fans singing about Steven Gerrard’s slip almost got a taste of their own medicine when Disasi’s fall almost led to a goal. He survived that, but lost Van Dijk for his goal.
Djordje Petrovic justified his selection on Robert Sanchez with a series of super saves
Levi Colwill – 6
Had Colwill not been blocked by offside player Wataru Endo, would he have stopped Van Dijk from scoring that disallowed header? He certainly thought so and VAR confirmed his claim.
Ben Chillwell – 6
I wondered all week whether he would face Mohamed Salah. Instead, a feud with Conor Bradley ensued. Wearing the captain’s armband
Moises Caicedo – 5
A clumsy challenge on Ryan Gravenberch infuriated Liverpool. Jürgen Klopp wanted a straight red. They didn’t even get a free kick. Caicedo wasn’t shy about throwing his weight around.
Ben Chilwell had a row with Liverpool youngster Conor Bradley during Sunday’s final
Moises Caicedo’s clumsy challenge on Ryan Gravenberch infuriated the Reds in the first half
Enzo Fernandez – 5
The occasional lapse in judgment, such as when he tried to get the ball into the goal with his backguard while two teammates waited to be tied up. Not the most dominant performance from the midfielder.
Kool Palmer – 6
The goal was gaping as Caoimhin stopped Kelleher Palmer from scoring. Great save, but also a tame finish. Twice Gallagher created glorious chances, but twice without reward.
Conor Gallagher – 6
Chased the ball like it was the last ball on earth, but ultimately wondered how he didn’t put it in the Liverpool goal. First rejected by the postal service. Then by Kelleher.
The goal was gaping as Caoimhin Kelleher stopped Cole Palmer from scoring
It was a day to forget for Enzo Fernandez as it was not his most impressive performance
Raheem Sterling – 5
Thought he scored in the 32nd minute – looked ready to celebrate in front of the Liverpool fans – but the offside flag spoiled his fun. Otherwise largely ineffective on Chelsea’s left.
Nicolas Jackson – 6
Frustrated, his kneecap was offside in the build-up to Sterling’s tap-in as it was a nice square ball. Largely on its lonely peak, starved of servitude.
Raheem Sterling thought he would score in the 32nd minute, but his goal was ultimately disallowed
MANAGER
Mauricio Pochettino – 5.5
Chelsea created chances but ultimately lost Pochettino’s £1 billion worth of talent at the end of this grueling battle from a Liverpool team full of kids. Pain for the Blues boss.
REPLACEMENTS
Christopher Nkunku (67 minutes for Sterling) – 6
He replaced Raheem Sterling and his energy helped Chelsea into a late flourish towards the end of normal time.
Mauricio Pochettino’s £1 billion talent lost out to a Liverpool team full of kids
Mykhailo Mudryk (90 minutes for Jackson) – 5.5
Tried to stretch Liverpool’s backline with his pace but was never quite influential enough against tiring opponents.
Noni Madueke (97 minutes for Gallagher) – 5.5
Replaced Gallagher, who was exhausted after his non-stop sprinting. A strangely nice moment from Madueke, but this was not Chelsea’s day.
Trevoh Chalobah (113 minutes for Chilwell) – 5.5
Introduced too late – too late to make any difference. Liverpool scored and secured the trophy as Chelsea finally succumbed to Van Dijk.
Mykhailo Musryk tried to stretch Liverpool’s backline with his pace and didn’t really have an impact
REPLACEMENTS NOT USED
Robert Sanchez
Marcus Bettinelli
Alfie Gilchrist
Jimi Tauriainen
Billy Gee