image source, Getty Images
Jurgen Klopp has won 10 major trophies as Liverpool manager
Manager Jurgen Klopp described Liverpool’s dramatic Carabao Cup final victory over Chelsea, which the Reds won 1-0 after extra time, as “absolutely insane”.
This marked Liverpool’s record-extending 10th EFL Cup win in Klopp’s final season at the club.
“What happened here was absolutely crazy. This can’t happen,” the German told Sky Sports.
Liverpool were without several key players through injury, including forwards Mohamed Salah, Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez.
This meant there were five players under the age of 20, meaning the average age of Liverpool’s squad at the end of the match was under 22.
“We have a team, squad and academy full of character. I’m very proud to be a part of it tonight,” said Klopp.
“The craziest thing is we deserved it. We had our lucky moments, they had their lucky moments. The boys showed up. Really cool was.”
Dutch defender Van Dijk said he was “very proud” to be a Liverpool player after scoring a late win.
“It’s all about the fans so let’s enjoy it,” Van Dijk told Sky Sports.
“It was a tough game for both teams, they had chances, we had chances. It’s great. It’s my first trophy as captain of Liverpool.
“Despite all the problems before the game, we did our job.
“I am very proud to be part of this club and especially proud of the players.
“I can’t talk about it right away, but I hope we can get a few more wins.” [trophies this season]. ”
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Liverpool players celebrate becoming the first team in EFL Cup history to win the trophy 10 times
‘We don’t have a team’ – Klopp looks ahead to FA Cup clash
While Klopp and his team celebrate this win, all eyes will soon turn to Wednesday’s FA Cup fifth round tie against Championship promotion-chasing Southampton.
In addition to Salah, Jota and Nunez, goalkeeper Alisson, right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold, midfielders Dominik Szovsolai, Curtis Jones, Thiago Alcantara and centre-back Joel Matip are also injured in Sunday’s final. missed.
Klopp said midfielder Ryan Gravenbirch was sent off injured in the first half due to ligament damage in his ankle.
Klopp added: “At the moment we don’t have a squad for Wednesday. The players who played will probably be able to play again. The rest will receive treatment on Monday.”
“I love this country with all my heart, but the schedule is not set to win a lot. You’ll see the price you have to pay, but we’ll fight for everything and then You’ll see what happens.
“For some reason, there will be a team wearing Liverpool kits against Southampton.”
Klopp said referee Chris Kavanagh’s performance was not befitting a major cup final after Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo challenged Grabenbert and the Dutch midfielder was taken off the pitch on a stretcher.
“The two teams were fighting hard, but the referees were not up to the level of the game,” he said.
“Wasn’t that even a foul? Then the fourth official explained that he couldn’t give a card…Good idea. This situation was clear to me. I had everything I needed for a card. Masu.”
These injuries meant that the 20-year-old duo of Harvey Elliott and Conor Bradley started, while the under-20 trio of Bobby Clarke, Jayden Dans and James McConnell came off the bench, leaving young players in jeopardy. I was given the opportunity to participate.
“I’m sure we brought all the kids. We needed fresh legs. They were fresh, very young, but they did the job,” Klopp added. .
“They’ve been training with us for a long time so they know exactly what we have to do. To be honest, they’re a pain, that’s what you do at this moment. It has to be done.”
