- Liverpool defeated Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley on Sunday
- Virgil van Dijk scored the only goal of the match at the end of extra time
- David Moyes does not deserve the negativity towards him at West Ham. It’s ridiculous and shameful for the work he’s done… It all starts
Jurgen Klopp described Liverpool’s thrilling Carabao Cup final victory over Chelsea as the ‘most special’ of his career.
Virgil van Dijk’s extra-time winner lifted the trophy for the Merseysiders, who fielded six players aged 21 or under – including three teenagers – due to a mounting injury crisis that left Klopp without 10 first-team players for the match.
Klopp has won ten major trophies during his career, including the Premier League, Champions League and Bundesliga.
But the German, who will leave Anfield at the end of the season, said: ‘In my 20-plus years, this was without doubt the most special trophy I have ever won.
‘It’s absolutely exceptional. I wish I could be proud more often. Tonight that is the overwhelming feeling. I was proud of our people for the way they pushed us.
Jürgen Klopp says Liverpool’s Carabao Cup final is the ‘most special’ of his career
‘I was proud of the employees, I was proud of our academy.
‘It had nothing to do with it possibly being my last game at Wembley. It was about how everyone contributed with the children.
‘Can you create stories in football that no one will ever forget? It is so hard. “Can you find a similar story when kids come off the bench against a top team?”
Blighted by injury, compounded by the sight of Ryan Gravenberch stretchered off with an ankle injury, Reds boss Klopp leaned heavily on his children with Conor Bradley, Harvey Elliott, Bobby Clark, Jarell Quansah, James McConnell and Jayden Danns – who are all 21 are. or under – plays a role in Liverpool’s victory over Chelsea.
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“Age doesn’t play a role in our thought process at all,” Klopp replied when asked about the decision to play his young stars.
“Obviously we need to fill the squad and these were the guys we were going to take. We needed fresh legs, that was clear. It was clear that we had to make changes.
‘The development of Bobby Clark, it’s really crazy, I have to say.
“James McConnell’s development is absolutely insane. And Danny, I love him, from his first training.
The German has now won ten major trophies during his storied managerial career
“There were other children we could have produced. It’s just fun to guide these guys through their first moment. The way the experienced group embraces them is quite special.’
The victory represented Klopp’s seventh major trophy at Liverpool, and with the club’s top flight in the Premier League and still in the FA Cup and Europa League, the German’s final season at Anfield could be the most special of all.
But Klopp added: ‘I don’t care what my legacy is. I’m not here to create one.
‘As a manager I just have to do my job. I couldn’t have done the same at another club.
It was made exactly for this situation. This was so special. We had problems before the game, they became bigger in the game.
‘We had a referee for both teams who was not up to standard. There really was no common sense left. It’s something I don’t know. If they don’t learn it or ask for it, it’s just not there.
‘We had players on the pitch until the end of the match who had problems, we asked Harvey to stay (on the pitch), we asked Lucho (Luis Dias) to stay.
‘I have no idea who can play on Wednesday night (against Southampton). It’s a moment I’ll never forget. It’s a beautiful memory.’
On the contribution of match-winner Virgil van Dijk, Klopp said: “From the first day since he joined Liverpool, he has been excellent.
‘Thank God he is absolutely perfect, in top form, we need him. I think he learned an important lesson tonight. He will never forget it, not only because it was his first trophy as Liverpool captain, but also because of the circumstances.”