Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham is among those to have hailed the heroics of Virgil van Dijk in Liverpool’s Carabao Cup final win over Chelsea.
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Reds ravaged by injuriesSkipper leading by exampleMore silverware securedGettyWHAT HAPPENED?
The Reds headed to Wembley nursing a serious injury headache, with the likes of Mohamed Salah, Alisson, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Darwin Nunez among those ruled out of Jurgen Klopp’s plans. A collection of young stars stepped up to the plate, with eight academy graduates picking up a winners’ medal.
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It was, however, experienced club captain Van Dijk that led by example, with the commanding Dutch defender netting the only goal of the game deep into extra-time. He had already seen one effort chalked off prior to that, but the Netherlands international was not to be denied as he lifted a first piece of silverware as skipper at Anfield.
WHAT BELLINGHAM SAID ABOUT VAN DIJK
Several players, many with ties to Liverpool, were quick to salute Van Dijk’s man-of-the-match performance in north London. Wataru Endo and Ibrahima Konate featured in the comments section of a social media post from the towering centre-half, while Real midfielder Bellingham said: “What a player.”
WHAT NEXT FOR LIVERPOOL?
Liverpool will be hoping that Van Dijk does not need to keep carrying them for long, with the big games coming thick and fast for the Reds as they head into a week that includes an FA Cup fifth-round clash with Southampton and a Premier League trip to Nottingham Forest.
