Tiring business eh, Jurgen? Exhausted Klopp cradles the Carabao Cup as he sleeps on the flight back to Liverpool after his Reds side triumph 1-0 over Chelsea in Wembley thriller
- Jurgen Klopp led Liverpool to victory against Chelsea in Carabao Cup on Sunday
- Reds boss pictured clutching the trophy asleep as they flew back to Merseyside
- 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
Jurgen Klopp was pictured taking a nap on the flight back to Liverpool after his side defeated Chelsea to lift the Carabao Cup on Sunday.
The 56-year-old's nerves were tested repeatedly on Sunday as his injury-hit side played out a thrilling back-and-forth affair at Wembley.
Chelsea looked to have drawn first blood when Raheem Sterling connected with a pass from Nicolas Jackson to put the ball in the back of the net.
However, a VAR check would later confirm that the Senegal international had been fractionally offside in the build up and the stalemate between the two sides wore on.
The Reds also suffered yet another casualty to their stricken squad when Ryan Gravenberch was taken off the pitch on a stretcher following a poor tackle from Moises Caicedo and replaced by Joe Gomez.
![Jurgen Klopp was pictured asleep with Carabao Cup in hand after his side defeated Chelsea](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/26/00/81708329-0-image-a-172_1708908815185.jpg)
Jurgen Klopp was pictured asleep with Carabao Cup in hand after his side defeated Chelsea
![Virgil van Dijk headed home in the closing stages of extra-time to secure victory for the Reds](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/26/00/81709005-0-image-a-173_1708908914215.jpg)
Virgil van Dijk headed home in the closing stages of extra-time to secure victory for the Reds
In his first major final since succeeding Jordan Henderson as club captain Virgil van Dijk produced a talismanic performance for Klopp's side.
Just after the hour mark the Dutchman headed home to provoke wild celebrations from the Reds fans in attendance.
Once again the ball was in the net, and once again the would-be goal was ruled out for offside, with the decision prompting backlash among supporters on social media.
With the game entering extra-time, Klopp introduced multiple academy graduates to see game out. Again though it was Van Dijk who would prove to the difference maker, clinching the decisive goal with the game on the brink of penalties.
Speaking following the performance Klopp insisted Sunday's win was the 'most special trophy' he has won in his illustrious career.
'In my more than 20 years, it was easily the most special trophy I have ever won.
![Following the game Klopp called the trophy 'easily the most special' of his entire career](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/26/01/81709085-0-image-a-174_1708909330962.jpg)
Following the game Klopp called the trophy 'easily the most special' of his entire career
'It is absolutely exceptional. I wish I could feel proud more often. Tonight that is the overwhelming feeling. I was proud of our people for the way they pushed us.
'I was proud of the staff, I was proud of our academy.
'It was nothing to do with it maybe being my last game at Wembley. It was about how everybody contributed with the kids.
'Can you create stories in football that definitely nobody will ever forget? It's so difficult. 'Can find a similar story with kids coming off the bench against a top team?'