CHELSEA PLAYER RATINGS: Djordje Petrovic justifies his selection while Cole Palmer's finishing let him down... as three Blues stars score 5 out of 10 in Carabao Cup final defeat by Liverpool
- REPORT: Liverpool WIN the Carabao Cup after Virgil van Dijk's extra-time header
- Djordje Petrovic justified his selection over Robert Sanchez with a series of saves
- Xabi Alonso is smart and will do what's best for him. He won't make an emotional decision about his next managerial job - Listen to the It's All Kicking Off podcast
Liverpool lifted the Carabao Cup for the 10th time after beating Chelsea 1-0 in extra time at Wembley Stadium.
Raheem Sterling thought he had given the Blues the lead in the first half via a close-range finish but he was ruled to have been in an offside position.
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk appeared to have put Jurgen Klopp's side in front on the hour mark from a set piece but, like Sterling, his goal was ruled out for offside.
The Dutch defender would ultimately decide an entertaining final after heading in from a corner in the final minutes extra-time to clinch the win for Liverpool.
Mail Sport's Kieran Gill gives his verdict on the Chelsea players in his match ratings.
![Liverpool lifted the Carabao Cup for the 10th time after beating Chelsea 1-0 in extra time](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/25/18/81699337-0-image-a-1_1708885718409.jpg)
Liverpool lifted the Carabao Cup for the 10th time after beating Chelsea 1-0 in extra time
![Captain Virgil van Dijk rose high to head the ball home deep two minutes from the end](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/25/18/81699381-0-image-a-2_1708885725611.jpg)
Captain Virgil van Dijk rose high to head the ball home deep two minutes from the end
CHELSEA (4-2-3-1)
Djordje Petrovic – 8
Heartbreak for Petrovic, who justified his selection over Robert Sanchez with a series of super saves, including one to deny Harvey Elliott. Ultimately beaten by Virgil van Dijk at the very end.
Malo Gusto – 6
Some sloppiness in the early exchanges – nerves of a first cup final maybe – but grew into the game as he engaged in a sweaty showdown with Luis Diaz.
Axel Disasi – 6
The Chelsea fans singing about Steven Gerrard’s slip nearly got a taste of their own medicine when Disasi’s tumble almost led to a goal. Survived that, but lost Van Dijk for his goal.
![Djordje Petrovic justified his selection over Robert Sanchez with a series of super saves](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/25/18/81699519-0-image-a-3_1708885893477.jpg)
Djordje Petrovic justified his selection over Robert Sanchez with a series of super saves
Levi Colwill – 6
Had Colwill not been blocked by the offside Wataru Endo, would he have stopped Van Dijk from scoring that disallowed header? He certainly thought so and VAR corroborated his claim.
Ben Chilwell – 6
Spent the week wondering if he would face Mohamed Salah. Instead a scrap with Conor Bradley ensued. Wore the captain’s armband.
Moises Caicedo – 5
Clumsy challenge on Ryan Gravenberch infuriated Liverpool. Jurgen Klopp wanted a straight red. They didn’t even get a free-kick. Caicedo was not shy in chucking his weight around.
![Ben Chilwell had a scrap with Liverpool youngster Conor Bradley during Sunday's final](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/25/18/81699609-0-image-a-6_1708886440818.jpg)
Ben Chilwell had a scrap with Liverpool youngster Conor Bradley during Sunday's final
![Moises Caicedo's clumsy challenge on Ryan Gravenberch infuriated the Reds in the first half](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/25/19/81699527-13124179-Moises_Caicedo_s_clumsy_challenge_on_Ryan_Gravenberch_infuriated-a-30_1708889087559.jpg)
Moises Caicedo's clumsy challenge on Ryan Gravenberch infuriated the Reds in the first half
Enzo Fernandez – 5
Occasional lapse of judgement, like when he tried to backheel the ball into the goal while two team-mates were waiting to be teed up. Not the midfielder’s most commanding display.
Cole Palmer – 6
The goal was gaping when Caoimhin Kelleher stopped Palmer from scoring. Terrific save, but also a tame finish. Twice set up Gallagher for glorious chances, but twice without reward.
Conor Gallagher – 6
Chased the ball like it was the last one left on the planet, but ultimately left wondering how he did not stick it in Liverpool’s goal. First denied by the post. Then by Kelleher.
![The goal was gaping when Caoimhin Kelleher stopped Cole Palmer from scoring](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/25/19/81699951-13124179-image-a-22_1708887853939.jpg)
The goal was gaping when Caoimhin Kelleher stopped Cole Palmer from scoring
![It was a day to forget for Enzo Fernandez as it was not his most commanding display](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/25/18/81699575-0-image-a-5_1708886296591.jpg)
It was a day to forget for Enzo Fernandez as it was not his most commanding display
Raheem Sterling – 5
Thought he scored in the 32nd minute – seemed set to celebrate in front of Liverpool’s fans – but offside flag spoiled his fun. Otherwise largely ineffective down Chelsea’s left-hand side.
Nicolas Jackson – 6
Frustrated his kneecap was offside in the build-up to Sterling’s tap-in because it was a nice squared ball. Largely on his lonesome up top, starved of service.
![Raheem Sterling thought he scored in the 32nd minute but his goal was eventually ruled out](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/25/18/81699615-0-image-a-7_1708886467564.jpg)
Raheem Sterling thought he scored in the 32nd minute but his goal was eventually ruled out
MANAGER
Mauricio Pochettino – 5.5
Chelsea created chances but ultimately, Pochettino’s £1billion troupe of talent lost out to a Liverpool team full of kids by the end of this exhausting battle. Gutting for the Blues boss.
SUBSTITUTES
Christopher Nkunku (67mins for Sterling) – 6
Replaced Raheem Sterling and his energy helped Chelsea in a late flourish towards the end of normal time.
![Mauricio Pochettino¿s £1billion troupe of talent lost out to a Liverpool team full of kids](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/25/18/81699631-0-image-a-8_1708886519073.jpg)
Mauricio Pochettino’s £1billion troupe of talent lost out to a Liverpool team full of kids
Mykhailo Mudryk (90mins for Jackson) – 5.5
Tried to stretch Liverpool's back line using his pace but never quite influential enough against opponents who were tiring.
Noni Madueke (97mins for Gallagher) – 5.5
Replaced Gallagher, who was spent after his nonstop sprinting. The odd nice moment from Madueke, but this wasn't Chelsea's day.
Trevoh Chalobah (113mins for Chilwell) – 5.5
Thrown on late – too late to make any difference. Liverpool scored and secured the trophy as Chelsea finally succumbed to Van Dijk.
![Mykhailo Musryk tried to stretch Liverpool's back line using his pace was not quite influential](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/25/18/81699643-0-image-a-9_1708886560916.jpg)
Mykhailo Musryk tried to stretch Liverpool's back line using his pace was not quite influential
SUBSTITUTES NOT USED
Robert Sanchez
Marcus Bettinelli
Alfie Gilchrist
Jimi Tauriainen
Billy Gee