REVEALED: The wholesome reason behind Virgil van Dijk's trademark 'chin wave' celebration after the Liverpool captain scored the winner against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final
- Virgil van Dijk lifted his first trophy as Liverpool's full-time captain on Sunday
- The Dutchman has four goals in his 30 club appearances so far this campaign
- Van Dijk with a colossal display to win the League Cup... IAN LADYMAN names his top five Premier League captains on the It's All Kicking Off podcast
Virgil van Dijk once again pulled out his trademark celebration on Sunday, having scored the goal to win the Carabao Cup final for Liverpool, and a TikTok video has revealed the wholesome story behind it.
Van Dijk had a goal scrubbed off controversially for offside before netting the eventual winner in Sunday's showpiece final at Wembley, hammering home a Kostas Tsimikas cross in extra time.
The Dutch defender put on a typically impressive and composed display at the heart of defence, once again proving why he is considered among the best in the world in his position.
It was his attacking prowess though that sealed the result for the Reds this time, coming up with his fourth goal of the season in 30 appearances at the crucial moment for his side.
As is his wont, Van Dijk reeled away to celebration, waving his hand beneath his chin and sticking his tongue out as he made his way to the corner flag - and the heart-warming reason behind this trademark move has since been revealed.
![The reason behind Virgil van Dijk's 'chin wave' celebration has been revealed after a TikTok video emerged seemingly explaining it](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/27/15/81778745-0-image-a-68_1709048559123.jpg)
The reason behind Virgil van Dijk's 'chin wave' celebration has been revealed after a TikTok video emerged seemingly explaining it
![The Dutchman scored the all-important winner in Sunday's Carabao Cup final for his first trophy as Liverpool captain](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/27/15/81769325-0-image-a-71_1709048576310.jpg)
The Dutchman scored the all-important winner in Sunday's Carabao Cup final for his first trophy as Liverpool captain
A TikTok video shows the defender playing football with his daughter, Nila, who nutmegs her father and chooses to rub it in his face.
The youngster puts her hand under her chin and waves it while sticking her tongue out - surely the inspiration for her father's now iconic celebration.
The video then shows a compilation of Van Dijk's goals for both club and country, each time accompanied by his celebration.
Following the game Van Dijk was full of praise for his team-mates, some of whom are almost half his age.
Jurgen Klopp's side featured the likes of James McConnell, Conor Bradley, and Bobby Clarke, Jayden Danns and Jarell Quansah, all of whom graduated from the academy with further youngsters on the bench.
'All the young boys on the pitch, in extra time. It's incredible, I'm so proud of the team.
'Intense game for both sides, they had chances we had chances. Amazing. First trophy as Liverpool captain, it's all for the fans so let's enjoy it.'
The Dutchman was then asked about his winning goal, adding: 'It's emotion, it's everything I am so proud of the boys. All of the young boys playing their part in what we achieved today it's incredible and on to more.'
![The TikTok shows Van Dijk's daughter, Nila, doing the iconic celebration](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/27/15/81779177-0-image-a-73_1709048807762.jpg)
![Van Dijk has scored four times in 30 appearances for Liverpool this season](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/27/15/81778739-0-image-m-72_1709048802951.jpg)
The TikTok shows Van Dijk's daughter, Nila, doing the iconic celebration after nutmegging her father
Liverpool boss Klopp is of course leaving the club at the end of the season, having already made the announcement earlier this year.
As such, the win on Sunday was all the more emotional as it could have been the last of the Klopp reign, despite the club still being in the running for a quadruple, able to add the FA Cup, Premier League and Europa League before the end of the season.
'You should always savour the good moments, this is definitely one of them,' Van Dijk said of his manager.
'Listen, we will never take things for granted and you see today it could have been the other was as well that we lost but we did a job, even with all the problems we have had before the game. I'm so proud, proud to be part of this club and especially proud of the boys.'