Van Dijk’s Historic Opportunity: LFC Pursues 10th League Cup
Liverpool is gearing up for the League Cup final on Sunday, and their captain, Virgil van Dijk, has a chance to make history. If he scores in the final, he will become the oldest player to score for the club in a Wembley final, at the age of 32 years and 232 days. However, if van Dijk doesn’t find the net, Mo Salah has a chance to claim the record as the oldest player to score in a Wembley final for Liverpool, at 31 years and 255 days.
The current record is held by Dirk Kuyt, who scored in the final of the League Cup against Cardiff in 2012 at the age of 31 years and 219 days. On the other end of the spectrum, the youngest Liverpool player to score in a Wembley Cup final is Ian Rush, who scored in the 1982 League Cup final against Tottenham at the age of 20 years and 144 days.
In last year’s League Cup final, Harvey Elliott became the youngest Liverpool player ever to appear in a Wembley final at the age of 18 years and 329 days. This shows the rich history and diverse range of players who have represented Liverpool in this prestigious competition.
The upcoming final could also be a debut for several players. Wataru Endo, Darwin Nunez, Alexis Mac Allister, Cody Gakpo, Ryan Gravenberch, Jarell Quansah, and Conor Bradley could all play in their first Liverpool cup final. Additionally, Adrian, Bobby Clark, James McConnell, and Jayden Danns have the opportunity to make their mark in their first Liverpool cup final. It is an exciting moment for these players as they have the chance to contribute to Liverpool’s success.
If Luis Diaz manages to score in the final, he would join an elite group of Liverpool players who have scored against Chelsea in three different games in the same season. The only two players to achieve this feat are Roger Hunt in 1965/66 and Kenny Dalglish in 1977/78. This is a testament to the skill and talent of Diaz, as well as the fierce rivalry between Liverpool and Chelsea.
Liverpool has a strong track record when it comes to penalty shootouts against Chelsea. They have won all four of their previous penalty shootouts against Chelsea, including the 2007 Champions League semi-final, the 2019 UEFA Super Cup, and the two domestic finals in 2022. In fact, three of Liverpool’s last four League Cup final wins have come via a penalty shootout, highlighting their ability to handle pressure situations.
If Liverpool emerges victorious in the final, it will be their tenth League Cup trophy, putting them two ahead of their closest rivals, Manchester City. This would be a remarkable achievement for the club and further solidify their status as one of the most successful teams in English football history.
The success of Liverpool in the League Cup has been a squad effort. Throughout their successful campaign in 2022, Liverpool utilized 33 players. This season, they have used 24 players to reach the final, with notable absences from Alisson, Thiago, Adrian, Andy Robertson, and James McConnell. Caoimhin Kelleher and Harvey Elliott have been consistent performers, starting in all five games, while Curtis Jones, Darwin Nunez, and Cody Gakpo have also made significant contributions.
Liverpool’s ability to score from the bench has been a key factor in their journey to the final. In four of their League Cup matches this season, a Liverpool player has come off the bench to score. Dominik Szoboszlai, Darwin Nunez, Mo Salah, and Cody Gakpo have all made important contributions in these crucial moments. Gakpo, in particular, has scored in every round of this season’s competition, showcasing his impact as a substitute.
The man in the middle for the final will be Chris Kavanagh from Lancashire. He previously refereed a game between Liverpool and Chelsea, which Chelsea won 2-0 at Stamford Bridge in the FA Cup in March 2020. Kavanagh’s experience with these two teams will undoubtedly play a role in his decision-making during the final.
As the final approaches, all eyes will be on Liverpool and their pursuit of their tenth League Cup trophy. Jurgen Klopp has the opportunity to join an elite group of Liverpool managers who have lifted the trophy on more than one occasion, currently occupied by Bob Paisley with three wins and Gerard Houllier with two wins. The stage is set for an enthralling final, full of history-making moments and intense competition.