Gary Lineker was blown away by ‘magnificent’ Liverpool player in the Carabao Cup final

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Another Wembley final, and another momentous occasion for Liverpool. This team just loves to write history and make indelible moments. Time and time again. That Carabao Cup final against Chelsea last night was probably one of the best under Jurgen Klopp yet.

On paper, the League Cup is not the most prestigious accolade. However, given the context of the match, how many senior Liverpool players were missing from the team, this trophy success was a priceless one for Klopp’s side.

Klopp had to field three players in extra time who hadn’t even started a single game for Liverpool yet. There were three others on the pitch who had made five starts or less in the Premier League this season. But in spite all of that, Liverpool managed to remain the better team while coming up against a team that had cost hundreds of millions in Chelsea.

Liverpool proved on the pitch it’s not all about money. You can win games with kids as well. And not just games but trophies as well. Speaking after the game Gary Lineker was really impressed by one Liverpool player.

Gary Lineker on Virgil van Dijk

Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, Gary Lineker was in awe of Virgil van Dijk’s performance. As the Liverpool captain, Van Dijk had to put his heart and soul on the line while also helping the younger players on the pitch.

Van Dijk rose to the challenge, navigating the game brilliantly and then getting the winner as well in the dying embers of the match.

“It’s worth talking about Virgil van Dijk,” Lineker said. “What an impressive footballer he is. He is calm, he is one of those defenders who never goes to ground, he is quick, he is incredibly intelligent in both boxes. He is always a threat. He is a magnificent footballer.”

Lineker is one hundred percent right to highlight Van Dijk’s contribution. He played like a true leader at Wembley last night. Without him, who knows whether Liverpool would have been able to control the game as well as they did. Huge credit to the Liverpool captain. He really rose to the challenge and his responsibility last night. It’s no surprise Michael Owen called him ‘incredible’ recently.