Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea suffered a huge heartbreak as rivals Liverpool lifted the 2024 EFL Cup via Virgil van Dijk’s extra-time header.
Jurgen Klopp’s side dominated the early stages of the game, with attacker Luis Diaz connecting with Andy Robertson’s cross. However, Chelsea goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic reacted swiftly to deny a goal.
After 20 minutes, the Blues managed to get into the game, with Raheem Sterling making a goal attempt, and Reds keeper Caoimhin Kelleher making a close-range save to deny midfielder Cole Palmer’s follow-up.
In the 32nd minute, Pochettino’s team believed they had scored as Nicolas Jackson found Sterling in the box, but the goal was disallowed due to an offside decision against the striker in the build-up.
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In the second half, Palmer created another chance for his teammate Conor Gallagher. The Englishman came incredibly close to scoring for Chelsea. He made contact with Palmer’s delivery, but it hit the post.
After a few minutes, the pair were involved yet again as the youngster set up Gallagher for a goal-scoring opportunity, but Kelleher made a crucial save, ensuring Liverpool remained in the battle.
As stoppage time approached, Chelsea made more attacking moves, flooding bodies into the box. Liverpool’s shot-stopper Kelleher and Ibrahima Konate played a huge role in stopping the Blues’ constant bombardment of shots.
As the match headed towards extra-time, there were whispers that it could go into penalties by looking at the nature of the contest.
As things progressed, Kelleher once again played the hero in the second half of extra-time, making a crucial low save to deny Noni Madueke.
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On the other hand, the Reds had an opportunity through full-back Konstantinos Tsimikas, but his shot lacked conviction and was easily collected by Chelsea keeper Petrovic.
With just five minutes remaining, Reds’ youngster Elliott had a chance to be the hero, but his header at the back post was cleared off the line by the opposition goalkeeper yet again.
However, Liverpool didn’t have to wait much longer for the decisive goal. Captain Van Dijk, who had a goal disallowed earlier in the second half, secured the match-winner in the 118th minute for Klopp.
pochettino’s words after the match:
As quoted by Sky Sports, he said:
“We have a young team, and nothing to compare with Liverpool because they finished with young players on the pitch. We’re going to keep being strong and believing in this project.”
“In some periods of the game, I think we deserved more. But if you don’t score with the chances we had five or six big chances, it’s difficult to win the final.”
“You need to be clinical in front of the goal. We need to congratulate Liverpool and keep going.”
Another low-scoring tie for both sides:
Similar to the last two Wembley finals between these teams, numerous chances were created, but neither side managed to score in regular time.
Liverpool ace Gakpo’s glancing header hit the post, and Chelsea’s Gallagher’s effort also rebounded off the woodwork in the first half.
These were the standout moments but both sides failed to convert. The match seemed headed for penalties, a familiar scenario between both sides in the past.
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However, defender Van Dijk had other plans. His goal marked his side’s third consecutive cup final victory against the Blues.
Chelsea coming incredibly close to lifting their first trophy under Pochettino:
Chelsea now holds the unfortunate record of six consecutive Cup final defeats, but a closer look reveals that in the last three finals, all against Liverpool, the outcomes were incredibly close and could have gone either way.
Despite Liverpool facing injury challenges before and during the game, there was a feeling that Chelsea missed an opportunity against their opponents.
Pochettino might point to his club’s injury issues, but his team had sufficient quality on the field to dominate Klopp’s side in extra time.
The Blue’s lack of experience was evident once again as the Argentine manager’s quest for a first trophy in England continued.
The Blues would be proud of their journey:
This is just a small setback in their journey to achieve a lot more in manager Pochettino’s era. The young team played with intent and gave a really strong challenge to the Reds.
Although the team lacked experience, they would be confident enough to build themselves for the future.
The manager has trust in his players, the owners have trust in their players, and the players themselves will be happy with the progress they have made so far.
They are struggling in the Premier League at this moment and that would be their sign of concern. However, the fans can see that there is hope in this team and keeping patience will reward them handsomely in the years to come.
