Liverpool won the Carabao Cup on the big stage against Chelsea, who also dominated the Premier League match at Anfield. The first title of the season brought joy to the entire team in a difficult situation with injuries to key players in recent games and young, inexperienced players making up half of the bench.
21-year-old midfielder Ryan Gravenberch, 20-year-old midfielder Harvey Elliott, and 20-year-old defender Connor Bradley were both in the starting lineup, and many youngsters were introduced midway through the game.
19-year-old midfielder Bobby Clark, 19-year-old midfielder James McConnell, 18-year-old forward Jayden Danns, 21-year-old defender Jarell Quansah took the pitch.
The young players, who were substituted midway through the game and had stamina left for extra time, performed admirably and were not afraid of the players who joined Chelsea along with their many transfers. Danns came close to scoring twice, while Clark and McConnell continued to press in midfield.
Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk, who continued to lead such a young team and lifted his first trophy since becoming captain, praised the academy players for their performance and said they must take this opportunity into their own hands.
“All the young boys on the pitch, in extra time. It’s incredible, I’m so proud of the boys,”
“They all played their part in what we achieved today. Intense game for both sides. They had chances we had chances. Amazing.”
“First trophy as Liverpool captain. It’s all for the fans so let’s enjoy it.”
“You should always savour the good moments, this is definitely one of them,”
“Listen, we will never take things for granted and you see today it could have been the other was as well that we lost but we did a job, even with all the problems we have had before the game.”
“I won’t speak too soon, but hopefully we can win a few more.”
“I’m so proud, proud to be part of this club and especially proud of the boys,”
“The talk about it being Klopp’s last season is not from within the squad, that is from the outside.”
“When you’re younger and get an opportunity you have to grab it with both hands. They should use this to kick on, and I’m sure they will.”
“They should keep pushing to get close to the first team and be part of the squad. Being part of this as a teenager only benefits you.”