Van Dijk secures Liverpool ‘legacy moment’ after Carabao Cup final performance
VIRGIL VAN DIJK put in a performance for the ages to hand Liverpool their 10th Carabao Cup final.
Van Dijk nodded home the extra-time winner to seal a 1-0 win, earning him Man of the Match in SunSport’s Liverpool player ratings.
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It was Liverpool’s 10th League Cup win and the first of Jurgen Klopp’s farewell tour after announcing he would leave the club at the end of the season.
Van Dijk was presented with the German’s armband before the final and the Dutchman said he was incredibly proud to win his first trophy as captain.
The Dutchman has always been a vocal defender.
But his performance at Wembley also showed a player who wanted to lead by example.
And that’s what he did: an imperious display of the highest order.
With that display came a whole host of impressive records and figures.
Van Dijk is now only the third player behind John Terry and Vincent Kompany to win the Man of the Match award in multiple League Cup finals, in 2022 and now in 2024.
Looking at his numbers, Van Dijk could not have done much more.
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Van Dijk made three tackles, won seven duels and made two interceptions.
His on-ball exploits weren’t bad either.
The 32-year-old hit the ball 120 times.
He passed the ball a total of 101 times, 92 of which were accurate, including three accurate long balls.
Van Dijk even got involved in the creative aspects of the game by registering two key passes.
The former Southampton and Celtic star was also deadly in front of goal, scoring from his only shot on target.
Although he had the ball in the net in normal time, that goal was only disallowed for offside on Wataru Endo after midfielder Levi Colwill blocked.
In response to Van Dijk’s appearance on X, formerly known as Twitter, one fan said: “Virgil Van Djik. Legacy moment. Respect where it’s due.
“You have just witnessed a club built on spirit, principles and value versus a club rebuilt on just money and hope.”
A second said: “Virgil van Dijk was beyond incredible today by the way.
“I can’t underplay how imperious he was, and so fitting for him to score the winner. One of the best centre-backs to ever play the game.”
Another said: “Liverpool were the dominant team in extra time, even with kids all over the park. Why? Virgil Van Dijk.”
His Motm performance also earned him the illustrious record of starring in three finals for Liverpool, with his two League Cup appearances contributing to his 2019 Champions League final appearance.