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'These things are not possible!' - Klopp so proud after Carabao Cup final victory

'These things are not possible!' - Klopp so proud after Carabao Cup final victory

Peter Staunton 25 Feb 2024, 20:30 Last modified: 26 Feb 2024

Jurgen Klopp will leave his post as Liverpool manager at the end of the current season but could well sign off with an incredible trophy haul.

The Reds are sitting top of the Premier League, into the fifth round of the FA Cup and have a Europa League last-16 tie to look forward to next month.

Ahead of all that, the Merseysiders secured their first trophy of the season in what could prove to be Klopp’s last appearance at Wembley.

Liverpool beat Chelsea to win the Carabao Cup on Sunday with captain Virgil van Dijk netting a late goal in extra time to claim victory.

Facing a significant and ever-increasing injury crisis, with first-team mainstays like Alisson Becker, Mohamed Salah and more unavailable, a patchwork Liverpool side overcame their Chelsea counterparts to give Klopp his eighth major honour with the club.

"What happened here was absolutely insane, these things are not possible,” Klopp told Sky Sports.

"The team, a squad, an academy full of character. I am so proud I could be part of that tonight.

"The craziest thing is we deserved it. We had lucky moments, they had lucky moments. The boys showed up, it was really cool."

© IMAGO - Carabao Cup Final Chelsea v Liverpool Jürgen Klopp manager of Liverpool lifts the Carabao Cup during the Carabao Cup Final match Chelsea vs Liverpool at Wembley Stadium, London, United Kingdom, 25th February 2024 Photo by Gareth Evans/News Images London Wembley Stadium Greater London United Kingdom Copyright: xGarethxEvans/NewsxImagesx

Academy prospects such as Jarell Quansah, Conor Bradley, James McConnell, Bobby Clark and Jayden Danns all played their part in the showpiece event, and their manager hailed the impact of his extended squad in his post-match comments.

"I am sure we brought on all the kids!” he said. “We needed fresh legs, they were fresh but very young, but they did the job.

"The boys have trained for a long time with us, they know exactly what we have to do. They are a pain, to be honest, that is what you have to be in these moments.”

Without Alisson, Salah, Darwin Nunez and midfielders such as Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai, it was a chance for some of Liverpool’s unsung heroes to stand up and be counted.

“But not only them, how about Harvey Elliott for 120 minutes? [Wataru] Endo walked to the ceremony with the stiffest legs,” Klopp said.

"We didn't mention Conor [Bradley], he was so good. Caoimhin [Kelleher], he was so good. We have the best keeper in the world and the best number two."