Liverpool overcame injury issues to beat Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final, with Gary Neville hailing “Klopp’s kids against billion pound bottle jobs!”
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Blues have spent heavily in transfer marketMissed some big chances at WembleyReds have three more trophies to aim atWHAT HAPPENED?
The Reds headed to Wembley without the likes of Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Darwin Nunez and Alisson. Klopp had to name a number of youngsters on the bench, and gave game time to James McConnell, Jayden Danns and Jarell Quansah.
AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Eight academy graduates got a medal on the day, with Virgil van Dijk settling the tie late in extra-time as he powered home a dramatic header – having previously seen one effort ruled out due to a controversial offside call from VAR.
WHAT NEVILLE SAID
Chelsea are now in danger of ending the 2023-24 campaign empty-handed, despite spending over £1 billion ($1.3bn) on transfers since the Todd Boehly-led ownership team arrived at Stamford Bridge. Manchester United legend Neville has taken aim at the Blues for buckling under pressure, saying during his punditry on : “It’s Klopp’s kids against the billion pound bottle jobs.”
GettyWHAT NEXT?
Mauricio Pochettino’s side had plenty of chances to pick up another major trophy, but fluffed them all – while seeing a Raheem Sterling effort ruled out for an offside in the build-up – while Liverpool remain in the hunt for Premier League, FA Cup and Europa League glory in what will be Klopp’s final season at the helm.