2024 EFL Cup final revisited: Chelsea 0-1 Liverpool

A trip to Wembley is often a novelty for a big proportion of football fans, but for supporters of Liverpool and Chelsea, it was the third time in the space of two years that the two sides would meet at the stadium.

Having lost on the two previous occasions, Chelsea's chance at silverware were arguably higher than before, facing a Liverpool side who were without key members of the first team squad, including Mohamed Salah, Alisson Becker, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dominik Szoboszlai and Diogo Jota.

For Liverpool, however, it was a chance at guaranteeing a trophy in Jurgen Klopp's last season in charge, whilst also providing an opportunity for a number of youth prospects on one of the biggest stages in English football.

We've reflected on Liverpool's 1-0 victory over Chelsea in 2024, courtesy of Virgil van Dijk's headed goal in extra time.

Chelsea v Liverpool teams (2024)

Chelsea XI

Petrovic; Gusto, Disasi, Colwill, Chilwell (Chalobah, 113'); Caicedo, Fernandez; Palmer, Gallagher (Madueke, 97'), Sterling (Nkunku, 67'), Jackson (Mudryk, 90').

Liverpool XI

Kelleher; Bradley (Clark, 72), Konate (Quansah, 106'), Van Dijk, Robertson (Tsimikas, 87'); Mac Allister (McConnell, 87'), Endo, Gravenberch (Gomez, 28'); Elliot, Gakpo (Danns, 87'), Diaz.

How Chelsea 0-1 Liverpool unfolded

Caoimhin Kelleher's heroics keep the scores level

Chelsea were allowed space early on at Wembley, as Mauricio Pochettino's side had their eyes set on taking the lead against a depleted Liverpool.

A penalty box scramble left the entirety of Liverpool's back four heavily dependant on Kelleher, with the Reds' goalkeeper the only player standing in Cole Palmer's way.

Palmer, so usually personifying composure in front of goal, took a swipe at the ball, only to be denied by Kelleher, who had produced arguably one of the most crucial saves of his Liverpool career.

A chance that seemed harder to miss than to score, Liverpool's number 62 prevented what would have been a catastrophic start for Klopp's side.

The flag denies a Raheem Sterling opener

Raheem Sterling is never very popular when facing his former side Liverpool, but the travelling Kop were silenced for a moment when the England international fired home what looked to be the opener.

Gaps were once again opening up in behind the Liverpool defence, and it was Nicolas Jackson who was threaded in by Palmer.

While calmness isn't an attribute that you'd necessarily associate with the Senegalese centre forward, he was able to guide a delightful ball into the path of Sterling, who found no trouble in finding the net.

Much to Liverpool's delight, it was the offside flag that was acting as the saving grace this time round. Yet another let off for the Reds, but Chelsea were growing in confidence.

Combined XI: Liverpool v Chelsea (Premier League era)

Virgil van Dijk's turn to be denied by the flag

Approaching the 60 minute mark, the game was hanging in the balance, and, based on previous affairs, it seemed as if the next goal would be the winner.

A fantastic Andy Robertson delivery was met by Virgil van Dijk, proving too powerful for Ben Chilwell as he headed the ball home. Pandemonium in the Liverpool end, but those celebrations would be brought to a rapid halt.

While very few complaints were made by those in blue, VAR informed Chris Kavanagh that Wataru Endo was in an offside position, obstructing Levi Colwill from tracking the run of the Dutchman.

The scores remained level, and this time it was a let-off for the Blues.

Second time lucky for the Reds' captain

As the game made its way into extra time, six of Liverpool's XI had all represented the the Reds at youth level. An immensely proud moment for the club, but would this get in the way of their pursuit for their 10th EFL Cup honour?

Well, it was down to the seniors on the pitch to keep that pursuit alive, and Liverpool's captain wasn't going to let the trophy slip away from them.

Pressure was mounting on Pochettino's side, who were a matter of minutes away from yet another penalty shootout against Liverpool. A fine passage of play from Klopp's trusted youth prospects led to Liverpool being awarded a corner.

With Robertson off the pitch, it was Kostas Tsimikas who had the responsibility of delivering a perfect in-swinger. His cross wasn't a deep one, and Chelsea had a number of bodies prepared to attack the oncoming ball.

What they hadn't considered, however, is the oncoming run of Van Dijk, who had already proven once how easy it is to outjump the motionless Chelsea defenders.

The Dutchman's header found the bottom corner, and Liverpool were EFL Cup champions for the second time in three years.

Chelsea, the 'blue billion-pound bottlejobs' as per Gary Neville, had fallen short once again, and their wait for a trophy was extended.