League Cup Final 2024 – Liverpool Beats Chelsea 1-0

What Was the Result of the 2024 EFL Cup Final?

Liverpool claimed a record-extending tenth Carabao Cup title with a narrow 1-0 victory over Chelsea at Wembley Stadium on 25 February 2024. The decisive moment came deep into extra time when Virgil van Dijk rose to head home a Kostas Tsimikas corner in the 118th minute. The match ended 0-0 after ninety minutes, forcing the additional thirty minutes that ultimately favoured the Merseyside club.

• Van Dijk’s strike arrived in the 118th minute, making it the latest winning goal in an EFL Cup final since 1977.
• The victory marked Liverpool’s second Carabao Cup triumph in three seasons under manager Jürgen Klopp.
• Chelsea’s sixth consecutive loss in a major domestic cup final extended a troubling sequence for the club.
• This final was a repeat of the 2022 edition, where Liverpool also faced Chelsea and prevailed on penalties.
• The match saw two goals disallowed—Raheem Sterling’s strike for Chelsea and a Van Dijk header for Liverpool during normal time.
• A VAR intervention removed Van Dijk’s first-half effort after Wataru Endō was judged to be in an offside position causing interference.

Who Played in the Chelsea vs Liverpool Carabao Cup Final 2024?

Chelsea Starting XI and Substitutes

Chelsea lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation under their manager. The starting eleven featured Djordje Petrovic between the posts, with a defensive line of Malo Gusto, Axel Disasi, Levi Colwill, and Ben Chilwell. The midfield pairing consisted of Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernández, supporting an attacking trio of Raheem Sterling, Conor Gallagher, and Cole Palmer behind striker Nicolas Jackson. Substitutions were introduced at various intervals throughout the match.

Liverpool Starting XI and Key Players

Liverpool’s squad for the occasion featured several key figures who would ultimately decide the contest. Captain Virgil van Dijk led the defensive unit and proved decisive at both ends of the pitch. Kostas Tsimikas filled in admirably at left-back and delivered the crucial assist for the winning goal. Wataru Endō’s involvement in the match extended beyond regular play, as his position during the first half led to Van Dijk’s disallowed header following a VAR review. The youthful complexion of Liverpool’s squad under Jürgen Klopp reflected the manager’s faith in players who had guided the team through earlier rounds.

When and Where Was the Carabao Cup Final 2024 Held?

The 2024 EFL Cup final took place on Sunday, 25 February 2024, at Wembley Stadium in London. The original scheduled kickoff time of 16:30 GMT was adjusted to 15:00 GMT due to the fixture’s classification as a “high-risk” match. This timing change reflected the heightened security and operational considerations typically applied to major cup finals between rival clubs.

Wembley Stadium, with its capacity exceeding 90,000, welcomed an audience of 88,868 for the occasion. The stadium has hosted the EFL Cup final in most years since 2007, establishing itself as the traditional home for English football’s second-most prestigious cup competition. The venue’s significance was amplified for Liverpool, who were appearing in their 14th EFL Cup final—a record for the competition.

Chelsea participated in their 10th EFL Cup final, setting the stage for what became the sixth domestic cup final meeting between these two clubs since 2019. The geographical proximity of the two clubs and their consistent qualification for major finals have made this fixture a recurring spectacle in English football.

What Was the 2024 Scottish League Cup Final?

Searches combining the terms “league cup final 2024” frequently surface references to both the English EFL Cup and the Scottish League Cup. While this article focuses on the English EFL Cup final from February 2024, the Scottish League Cup represents a distinct competition administered by the SPFL.

The Scottish League Cup operates separately from its English counterpart, with different participating clubs and timing. Scottish clubs competing in European competitions typically face the tournament at a different point in the season. Those seeking information specifically about events at Hampden Park should consult dedicated Scottish football coverage.

Key Dates in the 2024 League Cup Calendar

The progression from earlier rounds to the culminating final follows a structured calendar within the EFL schedule.

1. 2023–34 Season Buildup: Clubs entered the competition in August 2023, with early rounds completing through the autumn months.
2. Semi-Final Stage: The semi-final ties were contested in January 2024, with Liverpool’s commanding victory over West Ham among the standout results.
3. 25 February 2024: The EFL Cup final at Wembley Stadium saw Liverpool defeat Chelsea 1-0 after extra time.
4. 2024–25 Season: The subsequent competition cycle began in August 2024, with clubs entering at various stages depending on their league status.
5. Upcoming Carabao Cup Dates: The EFL announces fixture schedules and draw dates for each season through its official channels.

What We Know and What Remains Unclear

The 2024 EFL Cup final has been comprehensively documented through multiple official and journalistic sources. The following breakdown distinguishes between established facts and areas where information remains limited.

Why This Result Matters

The February 2024 final arrived during Jürgen Klopp’s final season at Liverpool, adding sentimental weight to the club’s triumph. Klopp announced his departure following the campaign, making this victory one of the farewell highlights for a manager who transformed the club’s fortunes since arriving in 2015.

For Chelsea, the defeat extended a remarkable streak of failures in major domestic finals. The club’s inability to convert cup final appearances into trophy wins represents a significant concern for supporters and management alike. The repeat final against Liverpool, two years after the previous encounter, denied Chelsea a potential cathartic victory.

The match also highlighted VAR’s ongoing influence on cup finals. Van Dijk’s disallowed header during normal time, subsequently replaced by his match-winning strike in extra time, demonstrated both the technology’s capacity to alter outcomes and the fine margins that separate triumph from disappointment.

Sources and Official Records

Multiple authoritative sources documented the 2024 EFL Cup final, providing the foundation for this report.

Liverpool secured a record-extending 10th EFL Cup title after extra time at Wembley. Virgil van Dijk’s late header proved decisive against Chelsea, marking Jürgen Klopp’s second Carabao Cup triumph in three seasons.

— ESPN Match Report

The final saw both sides create opportunities, with Van Dijk’s opener following a tense encounter that had seen earlier goals ruled out. The victory cemented Liverpool’s position as the competition’s most successful club.

— Wikipedia Encyclopedia

The EFL Cup, known commercially as the Carabao Cup for sponsorship purposes, remains one of English football’s oldest and most prestigious knockout competitions.

— EFL Official Website

Summary: Liverpool Claim Tenth Carabao Cup Trophy

Liverpool’s 1-0 victory over Chelsea in extra time at Wembley Stadium on 25 February 2024 secured the club’s record-extending tenth EFL Cup title. Virgil van Dijk’s 118th-minute header from a Kostas Tsimikas corner proved decisive against a Chelsea side that had also reached the 2022 final. The match, refereed by Chris Kavanagh before an attendance of 88,868, saw two goals disallowed during normal time before the decisive moment arrived. For those interested in comparing English clubs’ trophy histories, Liverpool’s domestic cup record remains exceptional.