Liverpool Beats Chelsea 1-0 to Win the English League Cup

Liverpool’s captain Virgil van Dijk and head coach Jurgen Klopp and teammates celebrate after winning the EFL Carabao Cup final match between Chelsea FC and Liverpool FC at Wembley Stadium in London, Britain, 25 February 2024.  EPA/ANDY RAIN
Liverpool’s captain Virgil van Dijk and head coach Jurgen Klopp and teammates celebrate after winning the EFL Carabao Cup final match between Chelsea FC and Liverpool FC at Wembley Stadium in London, Britain, 25 February 2024. EPA/ANDY RAIN
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Liverpool Beats Chelsea 1-0 to Win the English League Cup

Liverpool’s captain Virgil van Dijk and head coach Jurgen Klopp and teammates celebrate after winning the EFL Carabao Cup final match between Chelsea FC and Liverpool FC at Wembley Stadium in London, Britain, 25 February 2024.  EPA/ANDY RAIN
Liverpool’s captain Virgil van Dijk and head coach Jurgen Klopp and teammates celebrate after winning the EFL Carabao Cup final match between Chelsea FC and Liverpool FC at Wembley Stadium in London, Britain, 25 February 2024. EPA/ANDY RAIN

Virgil van Dijk headed Liverpool to a record-extending 10th English League Cup trophy by securing a 1-0 win against Chelsea at Wembley on Sunday.
The center back's header in the 28th minute of extra time settled a tense clash that had ended 0-0 in regulation.
It clinched an eighth piece of major silverware for Jurgen Klopp and ensured the Liverpool manager will not end his final season at the club empty-handed.
Klopp will step down at the end of the season, but victory in the League Cup has kept his team on course for an improbable quadruple of trophies.
Liverpool currently leads the Premier League table and is still in contention for the FA Cup and Europa League.
Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino was hoping to win his first major trophy in England after previous spells with Southampton and Tottenham.
He will have to wait, while Klopp can look ahead to more glory before walking away.
Liverpool and Chelsea had met in both domestic finals in 2022 and on both occasions Liverpool came out on top to lift the League Cup and FA Cup on penalties after two goalless draws.
This was another close match that saw both teams have goals ruled out for offside and other chances missed.
Eventually Van Dijk came up with the decisive moment and perhaps the start of a trophy-laden end to Klopp's reign.



Fernandez Thriving at Chelsea after Getting to Grips with Maresca’s Positional Demands

Football - Premier League - Chelsea v Brentford - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - December 15, 2024 Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez applauds fans after the match. (Action Images via Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Chelsea v Brentford - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - December 15, 2024 Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez applauds fans after the match. (Action Images via Reuters)
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Fernandez Thriving at Chelsea after Getting to Grips with Maresca’s Positional Demands

Football - Premier League - Chelsea v Brentford - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - December 15, 2024 Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez applauds fans after the match. (Action Images via Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Chelsea v Brentford - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - December 15, 2024 Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez applauds fans after the match. (Action Images via Reuters)

Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez struggled to live up to his hefty price tag following his arrival at the club in January last year but the Argentine says his recent upturn in form is down to developing a good understanding with coach Enzo Maresca.

Fernandez, who cost Chelsea 106 million pounds ($132 million), started six of their first seven league matches this season but failed to impress and was dropped to the bench in place of Romeo Lavia.

However, since his return to the side last month Fernandez has looked revitalized, bagging three goals and four assists in seven Premier League games and helping Chelsea climb to second.

"I learned the position in which I had to play, over time I got the idea of what the coach wanted," Fernandez told ESPN in an interview published on Monday.

"He (Maresca) explained to me what he wanted and I was getting the concept, reading the games. There is still a long way to go.

"On a personal level I have been feeling very good. The team has shown a very strong character, always working and with humility and showing that great things can be achieved. There is still a long way to go."

Chelsea next host London rivals Fulham on Thursday before travelling to face Ipswich Town on Dec. 30.