Van Dijk applauds his young side's effort in winning the League Cup
Monday, February 26, 2024, 16:30 GMT+7
LONDON -- Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk, who scored a late, late winner against Chelsea to lift the English League Cup on Sunday, said he was immensely proud of the young side who had to fill in for so many injured teammates.
Liverpool were without key players such as Mohammed Salah, Diogo Jota and goalkeeper Alisson for the final and, by the end of a match that went to extra time after a goalless 90 minutes, were fielding a largely second-string team.
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| Soccer Football - Carabao Cup - Final - Chelsea v Liverpool - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - February 25, 2024 Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk scores a disallowed goal. Action Images via Reuters |
"It's emotion, it's everything, I'm so proud of the boys," van Dijk told Sky television on the pitch as the red half of the Wembley fans celebrated.
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| Soccer Football - Carabao Cup - Final - Chelsea v Liverpool - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - February 25, 2024 Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk celebrates scoring their first goal with Kostas Tsimikas. Action Images via Reuters |
"All the young boys playing their part in what we achieved today, it's incredible. On to more."
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| Soccer Football - Carabao Cup - Final - Chelsea v Liverpool - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - February 25, 2024 Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk celebrates scoring their first goal. Action Images via Reuters |
After a lively, end-to-end contest in which both sides enjoyed a string of chances, van Dijk rose to head the winner with two minutes of extra time remaining.
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| Soccer Football - Carabao Cup - Final - Chelsea v Liverpool - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - February 25, 2024 Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk scores their first goal. Action Images via Reuters |
"You should always savour the good moments and this is one of them. You should never take these things for granted," the Netherlands defender said.
