Virgil van Dijk scored in the 118th minute to send Liverpool fans into raptures (Picture: Getty)
Jamie Redknapp took aim at Axel Disasi after Virgil van Dijk won Liverpool the Carabao Cup with a dramatic extra-time header against Chelsea, claiming the defender ‘just didn’t deal’ with the threat of his opposite number.
It was a thrilling 64th League Cup final at Wembley, packed with moments of drama and controversy, with Raheem Sterling and Van Dijk both denied goals by VAR in normal time.
Cody Gakpo and Conor Gallagher also struck the post as the match – a repeat of the 2022 final – was sent into extra-time.
A dreaded penalty shootout beckoned but Van Dijk had other ideas as the Reds were handed a corner in the 118th minute, with the Merseyside giants seeking a record tenth triumph in the competition.
The Netherlands centre-back rose brilliantly and met Konstantinos Tsimikas’ corner with a powerful header, giving the impressive Dorde Petrovic no chance in the Chelsea goal.
A visibly emotional Mauricio Pochettino appeared on the verge of tears as he was denied his first trophy in English football and Redknapp pointed the finger of blame at Chelsea defender Disasi in the Sky Sports studio.
‘Disasi is a big man and he just didn’t deal with him well enough. It wasn’t incredible movement from Virgil but he just wanted it more,’ the ex-Liverpool and England midfielder said.
Liverpool secured their tenth League Cup victory with the win (Picture: Getty)
‘It was a good flat delivery from Tsimikas and he just wanted. That’s sometimes what can happen at set-pieces.
‘With Chelsea you can see that little bit of fear perhaps because they’ve won so many and then you just start to panic a little bit and they coulndn’t get close enough to Virgil.
‘He just flicks it in and it’s a great header.’
Redknapp was critical of Disasi after Van Dijk’s winner (Picture: Getty)
Redknapp said that he would not change his view on Klopp’s legacy, regardless of how many trophies Liverpool go on to win this campaign – with the club chasing a historic quadruple.
‘Some of these lads have got to go to school in the morning! But it’s an incredible achievement and they are all buying into it,’ Redknapp added.
‘Whatever happens, happens. It doesn’t change my opinion on Jurgen Klopp.
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‘If they go and win four trophies or just this one, it’s still an incredible thing he’s done for this club, this community and fans around the world.
‘He’s made them believe again.’
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