Jurgen Klopp hails Liverpool’s League Cup glory as his ‘most special’ trophy football news

Jurgen Klopp described Liverpool’s League Cup final win against Chelsea as the “most special” trophy of his career as the German learned he could win with kids. Virgil van Dijk sealed Liverpool’s 1-0 win with a dramatic header two minutes before the end of extra time at Wembley on Sunday. Liverpool’s victory was particularly pleasing for Klopp as it came during an injury-plagued period for his club that had forced him to field a remarkably inexperienced team.

The Reds boss started with 20-year-olds Connor Bradley and Harvey Elliott and brought on Bobby Clarke (19), James McConnell (19), Jaden Dannes (18) and Jerrel Kwansa (21) from the bench.

Klopp was without Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Diogo Jota, Darwin Nunez, Alisson Becker and Joel Matip due to injuries, while Ryan Gravenberch was taken off in the first half.

In the circumstances, Klopp ranked his seventh major trophy of his nine-year Liverpool reign as the most memorable trophy of his career.

He said, “This is the most special trophy I have won in over 20 years. It is absolutely extraordinary.”

“Sometimes people ask me if I’m proud of things and it’s really difficult, I wish I could feel proud more often but tonight is an overwhelming feeling.

“I was proud of everyone involved in everything here. I was proud of our academy, I was proud of our coaches, I was proud of a lot of things. It was completely overwhelming.”

Former Liverpool defender Alan Hansen famously criticized Alex Ferguson’s decision to blood a number of Manchester United youngsters, including David Beckham, Paul Scholes and Gary Neville, saying “you can’t win anything with kids”.

It was a turn of phrase that came back to bite Hansen as United’s kids went on to dominate the Premier League.

Klopp had never heard Hansen’s quote until after Sunday’s win, when it impressed the emotional German.

He said, “I was told there was an English proverb that said you can’t win trophies with children. I never knew that.”

“I loved it. Can you create stories in football that have never happened before? It’s very difficult. If you can find a story about a group of academy kids playing against a top team like Chelsea And if we win, it’s incredible.”

‘A memory forever’

With a nervous smile in the moments after Van Dijk’s goal and at his best in the post-match celebration, Klopp, who recently announced he would be leaving Liverpool, enjoyed every moment of his last visit to Wembley. End of season.

He said, “I couldn’t care less about my legacy. I’m not here for that. It probably has nothing to do with my last game at Wembley.”

“It was about seeing the kids’ faces. It’s a great memory that will last forever for me.”

Asked if he knew Liverpool’s rookie cadre were ready to step up to the big stage, Klopp said: “Obviously age is not a problem. It was clear in training, these were the boys we wanted. Will take it (to the finals). We needed fresh legs.”

While Klopp hopes Liverpool’s success will boost their bid to remain top of the Premier League and win the FA Cup and Europa League, Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino is urging his players to embrace the pain of defeat. Fell.

Pochettino’s side suffered the consequences of wasting several chances to beat Liverpool at the end of normal time.

“We didn’t get the reward we wanted,” Pochettino said. He needs to heal this pain. We played for a trophy we didn’t get. There’s nothing you can say to make me feel better. ” English football.

“They need to realize that we need to do more, do a better job to compete at this level against a team that has been doing great things for many years.

“Liverpool have lost finals in the past, but they keep going and keep believing. That’s an example for us.”

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)