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    Chelsea player ratings: Wasteful Blues live to rue missed chances as Liverpool beat them in third successive final

    CHELSEA lost a THIRD successive Wembley final to Liverpool as Virgil van Dijk scored a dramatic extra-time header to hand the Reds the Carabao Cup.The Liverpool skipper had earlier had a goal disallowed by VAR before rising to the occasion once more to hand Jurgen Klopp a trophy in his final season in charge of the club.
    Virgil van Dijk scored a dramatic late header as Liverpool beat Chelsea in a third successive cup finalCredit: Getty
    The victory means Jurgen Klopp gets at least one piece of silverware in his final Liverpool seasonCredit: Getty
    In an intense, thrilling battle in front of a raucous crowd, Raheem Sterling had also had a goal disallowed by the VAR – Nicolas Jackson ruled offside before crossing to his team-mate.
    With Liverpool missing several key players Chelsea ended the game stronger, Conor Gallagher having two big chances that he should have done better with.
    But as the game went into extra time it was Liverpool who improved, forcing Djordje Petrovic into a couple of good saves before Van Dijk’s decisive goal.
    The defeat means Mauricio Pochettino remains without a trophy in England with this a major blow to the club – especially given the litany of Liverpool stars missing.

    The Blues next face Leeds in the FA Cup on Wednesday, which surely represents their last chance of success this season.
    Raheem Sterling tapped in from close range but the goal was disallowed by VAR for a Nicolas Jackson offsideCredit: Reuters
    Virgil van Dijk powered in a header but his goal was also disallowed by VAR for a block on Levi ColwillCredit: Rex
    Here’s how SunSport’s Tom Sheen rated those in Blue at Wembley…
    Djordje Petrovic – 8/10
    Another solid afternoon’s work for the Serbian who dealt with everything that came his way comfortably.
    Made a couple of routine saves and looked good on the ball, commanded his box and was decisive when sweeping – made a strong save down to his right after an Axel Disasi slip allowed Luis Diaz into the box and another when Harvey Elliot’s shot bounced into the floor.
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    Was excellent in extra time, making an acrobatic save to tip over Jayden Dann’s header before getting down low to save Harvey Elliott’s header with his leg – nothing he could do for Van Dijk’s winner.
    Malo Gusto – 6
    Did a very impressive job keeping Luis Diaz under wraps, although there was more than one occasion where a poor touch saw the right-back lose Chelsea possession.
    Didn’t offer his usual verve going forward, but that looked more by design than anything.
    Axel Disasi – 5
    Like with Gusto and the rest of the back four, offered Liverpool a couple of openings with some sloppy play and nervy touches when in possession.
    He should’ve done better when he ghosted in at the far post from a corner but couldn’t sort his feet quickly enough and hit the ball over with his thigh.
    Defended well for the most part but Van Dijk beat him to the ball to score the winner.
    Levi Colwill – 5
    Endured a shocking first ten minutes where he gave the ball away in dangerous areas three times, with the occasion seemingly getting the better of the young England defender.
    Drastically improved as the game wore on but lost Cody Gakpo for one of Liverpool’s better chances, when the forward headed onto the post in the first half. Got a key touch on a Diaz cross that looked destined for Danns to turn in.
    Ben Chilwell – 5
    Offered much more of a forward threat than Gusto, especially when Connor Bradley was pushed into a more forward role.
    Sloppy defensive moments and poor touches helped Liverpool to keep the pressure on and he was totally overpowered by Virgil van Dijk for a goal before being saved by the VAR.
    Also lost Harvey Elliott for a late chance in extra time when the youngster hit the side netting but should’ve done better.
    Ben Chilwell clashed with Connor Bradley just before half timeCredit: AP

    Moises Caicedo – 8
    This is much more like what Chelsea fans would have been expecting for the massive amount they paid in the summer.
    Got through an incredible amount of running in the middle of the pitch, was strong and aggressive in the tackle – although overly aggressive on more than one occasion – and excellent in possession.
    Enzo Fernandez – 5
    Showed some real flashes of his quality on the ball in deeper positions but lacked quality when it counted in a couple of key moments.
    He chose the more difficult pass, with Sterling free to his left, when Chelsea had numbers over and then couldn’t get the ball out of his feet from a cross when he had two players free in the box.

    Conor Gallagher – 7
    A real leader’s performance from Gallagher who seemingly covered every blade of the Wembley turf.
    Picked up some incredibly dangerous positions with his forward running, was excellent in possession, strong in the tackle and saved a goal with a brilliant block when Bradley looked certain to score.
    But Gallagher had three late chances to grab a decisive goal. He was unlucky turning Palmer’s cross onto the post, needed to do better when put through one on one by Palmer, then blasted a Jackson lay off well wide.
    Cole Palmer – 6
    Chelsea fans will have wanted more from their starlet who had long spells where was just not involved in the play, although he became much more of a threat as the game opened up late on.
    Had a couple of good touches and was involved in some of the better moments for the Blues, but just had to score from close range before an outstanding save from Kelleher.
    Could have had an assist or two but for some woeful finishing from his team-mates.
    Cole Palmer did not have his best afternoon for the Blues
    Raheem Sterling – 5
    Struggled to get into the game before being taken off for Christopher Nkunku, although showed a couple of flashes and took up some good positions.
    Made some clever runs forward and thought he’d scored a tap in before Nicolas Jackson was ruled offside by VAR.
    Raheem Sterling had a goal disallowed but was taken off after 65 minutes after struggling to get into the game
    Nicolas Jackson – 8
    A truly excellent lone striker’s performance that kept Konate and Van Dijk occupied all afternoon before he was taken off late.
    The Senegalese didn’t get a clear sight of goal of his own, but everything Chelsea did well inevitably came through the No 15, who chased every long ball and gave the Liverpool defence fits with his work rate. Perhaps unlucky to be ruled offside for Sterling’s disallowed goal.
    Nicolas Jackson was full of running and gave the Liverpool defence lots of issues
    Subs
    Christopher Nkunku (for Sterling, 66) – 5
    Had barely touched the ball after coming on before a 92nd-minute goalmouth scramble saw the ball drop perfectly for him inside the six-yard box… but Nkunku could only snatch at it straight into the arms of a grateful Kelleher.
    Mykhailo Mudryk (for Jackson, 89) – 5
    Didn’t have much opportunity to get on the ball and run at the Liverpool defence, although did some good defensive work.
    Noni Madueke (for Gallagher, 95) – 6
    Had a couple of moments in one on one situations where he threatened to carve out an opening.
    Madueke’s decision making was poor, with him picking the wrong pass with one opening and firing a weak shot that was easily blocked with another.
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    Trevoh Chalobah (for Chilwell, 112) – 5
    Brought on for a tired Chilwell but failed to make an impact as Chelsea were pinned back late on by Liverpool.
    Subs not used: Robert Sanchez, Marcus Bettinelli, Alfie Gilchrist, Jimi Tauriainen, Billy Gee. More

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    Chelsea star consoled by team-mates at full time after falling to the floor when Van Dijk scored late Liverpool winner

    AXEL DISASI had to be consoled by his teammates at full time after Chelsea suffered late heartbreak in the Carabao Cup final.The Blues defender was in tatters when the final whistle blew as Liverpool wound up as League Cup winners with a 1-0 win after extra time.
    Axel Disasi fell to the ground as Liverpool won the game in extra time
    He was left gutted at full time
    His Blues teammates had to console him
    The 25-year-old was clearly upset

    Disasi was left fuming when Virgil Van Dijk rose above the crowd in the penalty area to head home the winner in 118th minute.
    The 25-year-old fell to the ground and rolled around punching the grass in frustration at the last gasp winner that the Reds had found in the dying embers of the game.
    And he wasn’t able to shake off his emotions at full time either with his Chelsea teammates needing to put an arm around him to try and lift his spirits after losing out on the first trophy of the season.
    It was Disasi who was following Van Dijk’s run when the corner was whipped in from Kostas Tsimikas.
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    But the Frenchman was unable to beat the colossal Dutchman to the ball and watched as the net rippled and his team ultimately lost the game.
    The game was a tight run affair for the most part, but Liverpool’s inexperienced youngsters managed to find the moment of magic that won the game late into extra time.
    Chelsea threw multi-million pound signing after multi-million pound signing at the game to try and get something late on, but the academy kids from Merseyside kept their cool to wind up on top.
    Mauricio Pochettino’s side had to sit through the painful task of staying on the pitch after the game to watch their competitors lift the trophy.
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    And it was Disasi who appeared to be the most hurt of the bunch while watching on in envy.
    It may have been the pain of being the man who was unable to prevent the header from Van Dijk that left him the most visibly upset Blue on the pitch.
    Meet the WAGs of Chelsea and Liverpool, from a model to a friend of Messi’s wife
    And Jamie Redknapp thought Disasi could have done better to prevent the goal.
    Speaking on Sky Sports, he said: “Van Dijk gets away from Disasi easily. He’s [Disasi] a big man, but he just didn’t do enough to stop him.
    “Virgin get’s across him and he just wanted him more. He leaves him on his heels and that’s the difference.”
    Chelsea had been issued a warning earlier in the game when Van Dijk put the ball in the net from an almost identical situation before it was ruled out by VAR.
    However they just weren’t able to stop the inevitability of the towering 32-year-old who is always an aerial threat.
    Disasi looked dejected at full timeCredit: Getty
    The Frenchman couldn’t beat Virgil Van Dijk to the ball when he scored the winnerCredit: Getty
    Liverpool wound up as Carabao Cup winnersCredit: Reuters More

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    Fans hail Neville for his ‘greatest ever line’ after being left stunned as Liverpool beat Chelsea and win Carabao Cup

    FANS are hailing Gary Neville for his “greatest line ever” during commentary.The Manchester United star was talking fans through Virgil Van Dijk’s 118th minute winner in the Carabao Cup final.
    His assessment of Chelsea was scathingCredit: Getty
    The goal came deep in added time, with Jurgen Klopp having to rely heavily on his youthful bench.
    And Neville said: “Klopp’s kids against the blue billion pound bottle jobs.” As he summed up the moment.
    Liverpool arrived in the final with a heavily depleted squad – with 10 first teamers missing with injury.
    And things went from bad to worse when Ryan Gravenberch was stretchered off in the first-half.

    And a combination of injury and tiredness saw him call on the youth on his bench extensively.
    Bobby Clark, James McConnell, Jayden Danns and Jarell Quansah were all called upon over the course of 120 minutes.
    Chelsea, meanwhile, faltered in extra-time, despite having a squad that has had £1billion spent on it since Todd Boehly took over.
    And fans were hailing Neville’s ability to say it as he saw it as a result.
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    KSI wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter): “The Blue Billion Pound Bottle Jobs lost to Liverpool’s U21 hahaha. I love football man.”
    Former West Ham defender Anton Ferdinand also loved the new moniker for Chelsea, writing: “What a line from Gary Neville blue billion pound bottle jobs” Alongside a long line of laughing emojis.
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    Another fan wrote: “Klopp’s kids against the blue billion pound bottle jobs is class from neville.”
    Another follower in the replies wrote: “Was just saying that! What a line.” More

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    Liverpool player ratings: Virgil van Dijk leads by example with Carabao Cup final winner as Konate off the pace

    CAPTAIN, leader, legend. That is how Liverpool fans must feel about Virgil van Dijk after he won the Carabao Cup final by heading home the winner against Chelsea.
    Liverpool lifted the 2024 Carabao CupCredit: Getty
    Virgil van Dijk nodded home the winner for Liverpool and led by exampleCredit: Getty
    Here’s how the teams fared on paper
    Jurgen Klopp has got his farewell parade off in style with Liverpool’s 10th League Cup win.
    Like the 2022 final between the two sides, the game somehow ended 0-0 after 90 minutes.
    However, moments before the final whistle of extra time which would have sent the teams to another penalty shootout, Van Dijk rose highest to nod home a winner.
    See how SunSport’s Tom Barclay rated the Reds.
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    Caoimhin Kelleher – 8
    Caoimhin Kelleher made some remarkable saves to help Liverpool get the winCredit: AFP

    Alisson’s deputy performed well in the injured Brazilian’s absence, most notably when he denied Cole Palmer from point blank-range on 21 minutes.
    Coolly prevented Conor Gallagher from scoring with five minutes to go when the Chelsea man had been sent clean through, and then Palmer and Christopher Nkunku in stoppage time.
    Conor Bradley – 7
    Another eye-catching display from the youngster, who started the game as a hybrid right-back and then moved to right wing when Ryan Gravenberch went off.
    Had a decent effort blocked by Levi Colwill on half-time – but was booked for his role in a shoving match with Ben Chilwell.
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    Ibrahima Konate – 6
    Nicolas Jackson may have his critics but his jet-heeled pace left Konate on his heels for what had looked like the opener when the Chelsea striker squared for Raheem Sterling, only for the offside flag to bail the Reds out.
    Booked.
    Virgil van Dijk – 9
    Van Dijk was our Man of the MatchCredit: Getty

    The relative old-timer among all the kids came up trumps with two minutes of extra time to go, heading home Kostas Tsimikas’ corner.
    The Dutchman thought he had done it an hour earlier when heading in Andy Robertson’s free-kick, only to see it ruled out via one of the rarer VAR decisions as blocker Wataru Endo was deemed offside. Led his young team with authority and was a worthy match winner.
    Andy Robertson – 8
    Trent Alexander-Arnold’s creativity has been the talk of the Liverpool full-backs this season – but Robertson still has a great delivery in his locker.
    Cody Gakpo hit the post from his cross in the first half, before Van Dijk’s Robertson-assisted goal was ruled out after the break. Also made an excellent intervention to nip in front of Gallagher.
    Van Dijk AND Sterling have goals RULED OUT by VAR in frantic final
    Ryan Gravenberch – 6
    The Dutchman’s game was ended midway through the first half when former Liverpool target Moises Caicedo trod on his ankle.
    Gravenberch went off on a stretcher, becoming the Reds’ 11th injury victim, yet a foul was not even given – much to Klopp’s fury.
    Wataru Endo – 7
    Energetic game from the Japan star, which included putting his body on the line to deny Jackson on the rebound after Kelleher had repelled Palmer.
    Was the unfortunate man deemed to be offside and blocking Colwill for Van Dijk’s disallowed goal.
    Alexis Mac Allister – 7
    His pressing set the tone for Klopp’s men and was not afraid to go in hard.
    Stung Djordje Petrovic’s fingertips with an early blast from range. Booked.
    Harvey Elliott – 6
    Moved from right wing to centre-midfield after Gravenberch came off and then back to right wing as the game went the distance.
    Had a volley beaten away after the break and then fired another into the side netting in extra time. 6
    Cody Gakpo – 7
    Came so close to an opener when heading Robertson’s cross against the foot of the post on 34 minutes.
    If that was unlucky, he should have done better when he skied a shot inside the box in the last 20.
    Luis Diaz – 7
    Luis Diaz was a livewire on the left wing
    A livewire on Liverpool’s left, he had a looping header and fierce drive saved by Petrovic early on.
    His clever movement caused Chelsea problems but the Colombian was less influential after the break.
    Subs:
    Joe Gomez (on for Gravenberch, 27) – 7
    Feared for a second old England rival Raheem Sterling had beaten him for a Chelsea opener but the offside flag came to the rescue.
    Was sent into early action when Gravenberch went down injured. Booked.
    Bobby Clark (on for Bradley, 72) – 7
    Lee Clark’s boy slotted in to the right of the midfield three and did not look out of place as Liverpool’s kids performed admirably on the big stage.
    Kostas Tsimikas (on for Robertson, 87) – 7
    Took on corner duties after being introduced, and supplied the set-piece for Van Dijk’s late winner.
    James McConnell (on for Mac Allister, 87) – 7
    Came on late for his seventh appearance, and by far his most high profile. Booked for pulling back Palmer.
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    Jayden Danns (on for Gakpo, 87) – 7
    Jayden Danns and Bobby Clark impressed off the bench for LiverpoolCredit: Reuters
    The son of former Crystal Palace midfielder Neil Danns, he almost netted in extra-time with a header which Petrovic had to tip over smartly.
    Jarell Quansah (on for Konate, 106) – 7
    Liverpool’s bonus extra-time sub, he instantly sold Nkunku a dummy after being introduced. More

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    Chelsea 0 Liverpool 1: Virgil van Dijk sends Wembley wild with dramatic extra time winner in Carabao Cup final

    THE experienced head of Virgil van Dijk guided Liverpool’s kids to Carabao Cup glory as Jurgen Klopp’s farewell tour gathered its first piece of silverware. The Dutch headed home an 118th-minute winner from a corner – after having an earlier effort controversially disallowed by VAR as the Reds condemned Chelsea to a sixth consecutive Wembley cup final defeat.
    Liverpool are Carabao Cup champions after beating Chelsea 1-0Credit: Reuters
    Virgil van Dijk’s 118th minute header secured victory at WembleyCredit: Reuters
    The Reds captain was man of the match in an epic performanceCredit: Reuters
    It was the perfect start to Jurgen Klopp’s send-offCredit: Getty
    Klopp had sent three teenage subs into the fray but still saw his injury-ravaged side defeat Chelsea’s billionaires as they completed the first leg of a potential quadruple. 
    In a chaotic, VAR-infested final, Raheem Sterling had a first-half effort tuled out by a linesman’s flag. 
    But as Klopp’s Liverpool reign comes towards a silvery conclusion, Chelsea’s new era is no nearer to getting off the ground. 
    Mauricio Pochettino, still yet to win a trophy in English football, was embarrassed by his side suffering defeat against such patched-up, youthful opposition.,

    With Mo Salah, Darwin Nunez and Dominik Szoboszlai all failing to be passed fit, the Liverpool team-sheet ought to have been heartening for Pochettino and his players. 
    The atmosphere on Wembley Way had been underwhelming as supporters of two elite clubs all too used to playing finals here mingled quietly.
    This is not the grudge match it was in the Mourinho-Benitez era, although both fanbases exchanged songs about Steven Gerrard, who once handed in a transfer request, hoping to leave Liverpool for Chelsea. 
    Chelsea had lost two of those previous five finals in penalty shoot-outs against the Reds after goalless draws in 2022 – and this was heading towards a similar conclusion until Van Dijk’s late strike.
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    For Liverpool fans it was an opportunity to boo God Save The King at Wembley for the first time, having drowned out God Save The Queen umpteen times in the past. 
    But the Blues made a fretful start, Levi Colwill looking particularly jittery at the heart of the defence and their keeper Djordje Petrovic was soon forced into a decent save from a powerful Luis Diaz shot.   
    Jurgen Klopp’s injury crisis gets worse as Liverpool star carried off on stretcher in Carabao Cup final
    Still, once they woke up, Chelsea came close on 21 minutes – Sterling was offered a clear sight of goal but was blocked off by Conor Bradley, only for Cole Palmer’s close-range effort to be brilliantly saved by Caoimhin Kelleher. 
    Then it was time for VAR to do its usual thing – getting everything wrong. 
    Moises Caicedo was guilty of a horrible late challenge on Ryan Gravenberch, which left him writhing on the touchline but ref Chris Kavanagh, consistently one of the Premier League’s worst officials, missed it and his VAR John Brooks did not think it worthy of a straight red card. 
    Gravenberch was withdrawn, replaced by Joe Gomez, forcing Bradley to move into midfield in a major reshuffle from Klopp. 

    It was a heated affair at Wembley as the two teams tussled for supremacyCredit: AP
    Tackles went flying in all over the pitchCredit: Alamy
    That mistake was evened up by a dodgy offside call which ruled out a Raheem Sterling goal.   
    Palmer’s through-ball fed Jackson, who squared for Sterling to find the net.
    But Jackson was flagged offside and despite the Chelsea striker looking to be onside, Brooks again refused to get involved. 
    Liverpool twice went close themselves – Cody Gakpo crashing a header against the post, then Bradley having a shot blocked after more menacing work for Diaz. 

    Raheem Sterling gave Chelsea the lead but his effort was ruled out for offsideCredit: Reuters
    VAR also intervened when Van Dijk headed Liverpool in front tooCredit: Getty
    It was entertaining in a scruffy, scrappy, fractious way and before half-time, Ben Chilwell and Bradley were booked for a shoving match after a tangle on the touchline.  
    After the break, Diaz was cheerleading the Liverpool fans after forcing a corner and Harvey Elliott had an acrobatic effort pushed out by Petrovic. 
    Enzo Fernandez fell over his own feet when presented with a decent chance by Conor Gallagher.
    And then it was back to Stockley Park. 
    Ryan Gravenberch became Liverpool’s latest injury casualtyCredit: Getty
    Conor Gallagher almost won the game when his backheel hit the postCredit: PA

    Having failed to intervene twice in the first half, Brooks woke up to disallow what appeared for all the world to be a bona fide Liverpool goal. 
    Andy Robertson swung in a free-kick from the left and Van Dijk scored with a towering header only for the effort to be disallowed by the forensics department spotting a block by an offside Wataru Endo on Colwill. 
    Chelsea’s fans celebrated wildly. When you dream of Wembley cup finals as a kid, that’s precisely the kind of moment you have in mind. 
    In a wild, open match, higher on tempo than quality, Brooks’ intervention felt particularly weird. 
    Jurgen Klopp cut a furious figure at timesCredit: Reuters
    Mauricio Pochettino will look back at his side’s wasted chancesCredit: Reuters
    It was error-riddled and end-to-end – Axel Disasi missed from two yards when the ball deflected off his knee, then Cody Gakpo spooned one over for Liverpool and Gallagher clipped a shot against the post from a Palmer centre.
    Gallagher was piling up the missed chances – first dithering and allowing Kelleher to smother his shot and then firing wide after Nicolas Jackson’s run had been halted by Ibrahima Konate.
    Klopp sent on three teenagers – Bobby Clark, Jayden Danns and James McConnell. 
    And with two such inexperienced sides going hell-for-leather it was playground football stuff – exemplified by a mad scramble in the Liverpool area in injury-time which ended with Kelleher denying Christopher Nkunku. 
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    Extra-time was largely uneventful until Harvey Elliott’s close-range header was thwarted by Petrovic sticking out a leg. 
    Then Liverpool forced a corner, Tsimikas delivered it to the near post and Van Dijk shook off Disasi and snuck in front of Mykhailo Mudryk to head inside the far post.
    Van Dijk was the hero of the hour for LiverpoolCredit: Getty
    Liverpool will be hoping they can go on to do the QuadrupleCredit: Getty More

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    Arsenal fans convinced they ‘live rent free in Jamie Carragher’s head’ after Carabao Cup final commentary

    FANS claim Arsenal “live rent free” in Jamie Carragher’s head – after the “obsessed” commentator’s latest rant in the Carabao Cup final.Liverpool legend Carra moaned that matchwinner Virgil van Dijk had an earlier goal wrongly erased following a “blocking” move the Gunners use.
    Virgil van Dijk later scored a legitimate goal but saw this effort in the Carabao Cup final controversially ruled outCredit: Rex
    Liverpool’s Wataru Endo was ruled offside, sparking huge debateCredit: Alamy
    Earlier this month Carragher also blasted Arsenal skipper Martin Odegaard for over-celebrating a 3-1 win over Liverpool.
    In the end, VVD headed the only goal against Chelsea near the end of extra time on Sunday in a Wembley showpiece crammed full of chances.
    But before that the Dutch defender had a similar effort disallowed.
    Wataru Endo was judged offside in the build-up after VAR intervened.

    Endo tried to get back onside but was assessed to have impeded Van Dijk’s marker, Ben Chilwell.
    Carragher claimed Arsenal regularly “stand in the way of goalkeepers” – and some pundits suggesting they deploy Ben White to hinder keepers.
    But Gunners’ fans taunted the pundit for referencing their team in a match they had nothing to do with.
    Just three weeks ago, Carra had told Arsenal skipper Martin Odegaard to “get down the tunnel” after his antics following the end of Liverpool’s 22-match unbeaten run.
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    Jamie Carragher, right, and Jamie Redknapp were at WembleyCredit: Rex
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    And perhaps that was fresh in the mind of Arsenal supporters as they again rounded on him.
    One posted: “Carragher, ‘Arsenal block off goalkeepers for every set piece’. He can’t get us out of his head.”
    Van Dijk AND Sterling have goals RULED OUT by VAR in frantic final
    Another wrote: “Jamie Carragher mentioning Arsenal during this cup final, we really do live rent free in his head.”
    Similar jibes flowed in, such as: “Carragher is fuming. Why did he bring Arsenal into this?” and “Why is Jamie Carragher mentioning Arsenal in a cup final that they are not involved in?
    One fan claimed the ex-England defender was “mega fuming” and another insisted: “He’s obsessed.”
    But Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp reacted with disbelief when VVD’s goal was disallowed.
    Many Reds’ fans blasted what they called an “awful decision”.
    One argued: “Endo didn’t move, he didn’t move into Colwill’s position. Football is dying.”
    But another viewer accused Liverpool’s Japanese anchorman of being “lazy” for his “unforgivable” act of not getting out of the way quicker.
    Some pundits reckon Arsenal use Ben White to block off keepersCredit: Rex More

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    Astrid Wett breaks down in tears at Wembley after Chelsea lose Carabao Cup final and fumes ‘it’s a scam

    TEARFUL Astrid Wett claimed Chelsea’s Carabao Cup final defeat was a “scam” as the OnlyFans star broke down in the rain at Wembley.The “cursed” boxing influencer ended the day as outraged as she began it – when she found she had a fake ticket and needed a generous fellow supporter to help get in.
    Astrid Wett poured out her emotionsCredit: https://twitter.com/AstridWett
    The model was fed up with the match and with LiverpoolCredit: https://twitter.com/AstridWett
    And she posted an emotional rant after Virgil van Dijk headed the only goal for Liverpool deep in extra time amid a controversial clash.
    Looking distraught as she sat cross-armed in the stands, the angry model asked: “Why am I cursed?
    “It’s the 119th minute of extra time. I’m in the pouring rain, crying.”
    Astrid then revealed she was fed up with Liverpool – who have now beaten Chelsea in the Blues’ last THREE finals.
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    And she even suggested “people at the top” wanted Jurgen Klopp’s men to win before adding: “It’s a scam.”
    The 23-year-old, who has 444,000 followers on Instagram, merely sparked amusement online with that outlandish suggestion.
    But before kick-off she had cheered genuine football fans – by revealing an upbeat ending to a sad tale of a counterfeit ticket.
    At first, Astrid let rip in a video, claiming she had been conned and begging supporters to help her get into the showpiece match.
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    Astrid declared: “This can’t be happening to me, someone has sold me a fake ticket.
    “It’s just not working, it’s not even scanning, I don’t know what to do.
    Chelsea 0 Liverpool 1- Virgil van Dijk sends Wembley wild with dramatic extra time winner in Carabao Cup final
    “They won’t even let me in even though I told them I’m Astrid Wett, the lifelong Chelsea fan.
    “Why would someone scam me, I’m just here to watch my team win the cup.
    “Can someone please help me, honestly I’ll do anything.”
    Luckily, a kind-hearted Blue saved the day by giving her his son’s ticket.
    Astrid responded: “The power of social media. This guy gave me his son’s ticket.
    “He saw my tweet and saved the day. My faith in humanity has been restored.”
    A kind Chelsea fan ensured she was able to watch the clash against LiverpoolCredit: https://twitter.com/AstridWett
    Astrid’s ticket for thefinal turned out to be fakeCredit: https://twitter.com/AstridWett More

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    Chelsea star Ben Chilwell clashes with Liverpool’s Conor Bradley as tempers flare in Carabao Cup final

    TEMPERS flared in the Carabao Cup final between Ben Chilwell and Conor Bradley.The respective Chelsea and Liverpool defenders came face to face in injury time of the first half of the Wembley clash.
    Tempers flared between Ben Chilwell and Conor Bradley in the Carabao Cup finalCredit: Getty
    The duo engaged in a grappling match while tussling for the ballCredit: AP
    Chilwell shoved Bradley before the Liverpool star did the same back the Blues defenderCredit: Getty
    Team-mates rushed over to split them apartCredit: Getty
    Referee Chris Kavanagh gave both players a yellow cardCredit: Reuters
    Chilwell, 27, and Bradley, 20, seemed to enter a grappling match as the Blues star tried to play the ball.
    The two stars were on the turf before getting to their feet while still grabbing each other.
    Chilwell then appeared to shove the Reds star before getting shoved back by Bradley.
    Team-mates from both sides rushed towards the altercation to split up the row.
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    After the situation had cooled off a bit, referee Chris Kavanagh then brandished yellow cards to both.
    Fans of both sides were furious with the decision to book their respective player for the scuffle.
    Taking to social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, one fan said: “Chilwell gets a yellow… for Bradley fouling him and pushing him. Sounds sensible.”
    A second said: “Chilwell attacks Bradley & somehow Bradley gets a yellow card.”
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    A third said: “That’s a joke that Bradley yellow, Chilwell tries to goad him, doesn’t react, gets booked for it.”
    Another said: “Chilwell getting a yellow card because Bradley forgot he wasn’t playing rugby.”
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    Bradley was eventually hooked by Jurgen Klopp in the 72nd minute.
    The game saw both teams put the ball in the back of the net before the goals were ruled out for offside.
    Liverpool’s effort, scored by Virgil van Dijk, proved to be particularly controversial thanks to a Wataru Endo offside.
    The match is a repeat of the 2022 final, which Liverpool won on penalties after a goalless regulation and injury time were played out.
    Liverpool went on to win the game 1-0 thanks to an extra-time header from Virgil van Dijk.
    It compounded Chelsea to an unwanted trophy record at Wembley.
    You can follow all the latest action and reaction with our live blog by clicking here.
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