CHELSEA lost a THIRD successive Wembley final to Liverpool as Virgil van Dijk scored a dramatic extra-time header to hand the Reds the Carabao Cup.
The Liverpool skipper had earlier had a goal disallowed by VAR before rising to the occasion once more to hand Jurgen Klopp a trophy in his final season in charge of the club.
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In an intense, thrilling battle in front of a raucous crowd, Raheem Sterling had also had a goal disallowed by the VAR – Nicolas Jackson ruled offside before crossing to his team-mate.
With Liverpool missing several key players Chelsea ended the game stronger, Conor Gallagher having two big chances that he should have done better with.
But as the game went into extra time it was Liverpool who improved, forcing Djordje Petrovic into a couple of good saves before Van Dijk’s decisive goal.
The defeat means Mauricio Pochettino remains without a trophy in England with this a major blow to the club – especially given the litany of Liverpool stars missing.
The Blues next face Leeds in the FA Cup on Wednesday, which surely represents their last chance of success this season.
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Here’s how SunSport’s Tom Sheen rated those in Blue at Wembley…
Djordje Petrovic – 8/10
Another solid afternoon’s work for the Serbian who dealt with everything that came his way comfortably.
Made a couple of routine saves and looked good on the ball, commanded his box and was decisive when sweeping – made a strong save down to his right after an Axel Disasi slip allowed Luis Diaz into the box and another when Harvey Elliot’s shot bounced into the floor.
Was excellent in extra time, making an acrobatic save to tip over Jayden Dann’s header before getting down low to save Harvey Elliott’s header with his leg – nothing he could do for Van Dijk’s winner.
Malo Gusto – 7
Did a very impressive job keeping Luis Diaz under wraps, although there was more than one occasion where a poor touch saw the right-back lose Chelsea possession.
Didn’t offer his usual verve going forward, but that looked more by design than anything.
Axel Disasi – 5
Like with Gusto and the rest of the back four, offered Liverpool a couple of openings with some sloppy play and nervy touches when in possession.
He should’ve done better when he ghosted in at the far post from a corner but couldn’t sort his feet quickly enough and hit the ball over with his thigh.
Defended well for the most part but Van Dijk beat him to the ball to score the winner.
Levi Colwill – 5
Endured a shocking first ten minutes where he gave the ball away in dangerous areas three times, with the occasion seemingly getting the better of the young England defender.
Drastically improved as the game wore on but lost Cody Gakpo for one of Liverpool’s better chances, when the forward headed onto the post in the first half. Got a key touch on a Diaz cross that looked destined for Danns to turn in.
Ben Chilwell – 5
Offered much more of a forward threat than Gusto, especially when Connor Bradley was pushed into a more forward role.
Sloppy defensive moments and poor touches helped Liverpool to keep the pressure on and he was totally overpowered by Virgil van Dijk for a goal before being saved by the VAR.
Also lost Harvey Elliott for a late chance in extra time when the youngster hit the side netting but should’ve done better.
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Moises Caicedo – 8
This is much more like what Chelsea fans would have been expecting for the massive amount they paid in the summer.
Got through an incredible amount of running in the middle of the pitch, was strong and aggressive in the tackle – although overly aggressive on more than one occasion – and excellent in possession.
Enzo Fernandez – 5
Showed some real flashes of his quality on the ball in deeper positions but lacked quality when it counted in a couple of key moments.
He chose the more difficult pass, with Sterling free to his left, when Chelsea had numbers over and then couldn’t get the ball out of his feet from a cross when he had two players free in the box.
Conor Gallagher – 7
A real leader’s performance from Gallagher who seemingly covered every blade of the Wembley turf.
Picked up some incredibly dangerous positions with his forward running, was excellent in possession, strong in the tackle and saved a goal with a brilliant block when Bradley looked certain to score.
But Gallagher had three late chances to grab a decisive goal. He was unlucky turning Palmer’s cross onto the post, needed to do better when put through one on one by Palmer, then blasted a Jackson lay off well wide.
Cole Palmer – 6
Chelsea fans will have wanted more from their starlet who had long spells where was just not involved in the play, although he became much more of a threat as the game opened up late on.
Had a couple of good touches and was involved in some of the better moments for the Blues, but just had to score from close range before an outstanding save from Kelleher.
Could have had an assist or two but for some woeful finishing from his team-mates.
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Raheem Sterling – 5
Struggled to get into the game before being taken off for Christopher Nkunku, although showed a couple of flashes and took up some good positions.
Made some clever runs forward and thought he’d scored a tap in before Nicolas Jackson was ruled offside by VAR.
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Nicolas Jackson – 8
A truly excellent lone striker’s performance that kept Konate and Van Dijk occupied all afternoon before he was taken off late.
The Senegalese didn’t get a clear sight of goal of his own, but everything Chelsea did well inevitably came through the No 15, who chased every long ball and gave the Liverpool defence fits with his work rate. Perhaps unlucky to be ruled offside for Sterling’s disallowed goal.
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Subs
Christopher Nkunku (for Sterling, 66) – 5
Had barely touched the ball after coming on before a 92nd-minute goalmouth scramble saw the ball drop perfectly for him inside the six-yard box… but Nkunku could only snatch at it straight into the arms of a grateful Kelleher.
Mykhailo Mudryk (for Jackson, 89) – 5
Didn’t have much opportunity to get on the ball and run at the Liverpool defence, although did some good defensive work.
Noni Madueke (for Gallagher, 95) – 6
Had a couple of moments in one on one situations where he threatened to carve out an opening.
Madueke’s decision making was poor, with him picking the wrong pass with one opening and firing a weak shot that was easily blocked with another.
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Trevoh Chalobah (for Chilwell, 112) – 5
Brought on for a tired Chilwell but failed to make an impact as Chelsea were pinned back late on by Liverpool.
Subs not used: Robert Sanchez, Marcus Bettinelli, Alfie Gilchrist, Jimi Tauriainen, Billy Gee.