Liverpool Wins English League Cup Final with 1-0 Victory Over Chelsea
On February 26, Beijing time, the English League Cup final took place at Wembley Stadium in London, where Liverpool emerged victorious with a 1-0 overtime win over Chelsea. The winning goal was scored by captain Van Dijk in the 118th minute of the match. This victory secured Liverpool’s 10th League Cup championship, positioning them at the top of the list for the most wins in the competition. Manchester City follows with 8 championships, and Manchester United with 6 championships.
The clash between Liverpool and Chelsea in the League Cup final two years ago also ended with a nail-biting finish. This time around, Liverpool once again emerged victorious after a grueling match. Chelsea coach Pochettino had put pressure on the referee team prior to the game, but Liverpool ultimately secured the win. However, the game was not without controversy, with Liverpool manager Klopp criticizing the referee’s decisions and VAR interventions.
Despite their victory, Liverpool faced challenges due to a long list of injured players, with 13 team members currently sidelined. Star players such as Salah, Nunez, Jota, and Alexander-Arnold were absent from the roster for the final. Despite the odds stacked against them, Liverpool’s goalkeeper Kelleher played a crucial role in securing the win and was named the best player of the match.
Following the game, Klopp expressed pride in the team’s performance, especially highlighting the contribution of youth team players who stepped up in the face of adversity. The matchup also drew commentary from Manchester United star Gary Neville and Liverpool star Carragher, both offering contrasting views on the game and the tactics employed by both teams.
Chelsea coach Pochettino’s decisions during the match came under scrutiny, with questions raised about his substitutions and overall strategy. The pressure on Pochettino’s coaching performance continues to mount, with rumors of his possible dismissal circulating in the aftermath of the League Cup final.