While Chelsea entered this match aiming to kickstart Mauricio Pochettino’s tenure, Liverpool were hoping that it would provide the first silverware of a trophy-laden swansong season for Klopp.
There was a nervy start with so much at stake, but the Reds settled into the occasion quicker and saw a looping Luis Díaz header saved by Đorđe Petrović, before the goalkeeper denied Díaz again following a slip from Axel Disasi.
![Chelsea's Argentinian head coach Mauricio Pochettino gestures on the touchline Chelsea's Argentinian head coach Mauricio Pochettino gestures on the touchline](https://livesport-ott-images.ssl.cdn.cra.cz/r900xfq60/e5f7712c-4516-4b44-addf-71a31cb8bb33.jpg)
Caoimhín Kelleher was then called into action in the 20th minute despite Liverpool’s dominance, making a superb save to stop Cole Palmer’s effort before Wataru Endō prevented Nicolas Jackson from getting off a follow-up.
![Chelsea's English defender #21 Ben Chilwell (L) is held back by Liverpool's English defender #02 Joe Gomez (C) and Liverpool's English midfielder #19 Harvey Elliott (R) Chelsea's English defender #21 Ben Chilwell (L) is held back by Liverpool's English defender #02 Joe Gomez (C) and Liverpool's English midfielder #19 Harvey Elliott (R)](https://livesport-ott-images.ssl.cdn.cra.cz/r900xfq60/5e0ab80b-4a83-4d1c-a93e-31e732a696e1.jpg)
Even with the scores remaining level, Klopp was soon left furious as Ryan Gravenberch was forced off in the 28th minute following a challenge from Moisés Caicedo.
Chelsea were then left bitterly disappointed, as Jackson raced behind to latch onto Palmer’s pass and tee up Raheem Sterling for a simple finish but had strayed offside by the finest of margins.
![Chelsea's English midfielder #07 Raheem Sterling (R) scores but the goal is disallowed due to offside Chelsea's English midfielder #07 Raheem Sterling (R) scores but the goal is disallowed due to offside](https://livesport-ott-images.ssl.cdn.cra.cz/r900xfq60/44cf9e40-7df4-456b-bd8b-0a51935edfa1.jpg)
That offered a sign of the Blues’ improvements, although they were dealt further scares before the break as Cody Gakpo headed onto the post and Levi Colwill blocked Conor Bradley’s attempt.
There was plenty of intent in the second period and Van Dijk thought he had headed his side into the lead on the hour mark.
![English referee Chris Kavanagh checks the pitch-side monitor before overturning a 'goal' by Liverpool's Dutch defender #04 Virgil van Dijk English referee Chris Kavanagh checks the pitch-side monitor before overturning a 'goal' by Liverpool's Dutch defender #04 Virgil van Dijk](https://livesport-ott-images.ssl.cdn.cra.cz/r900xfq60/0511f6c4-0ccf-43c1-ac1c-4f77f5d1eb05.jpg)
It was Liverpool’s turn to have their celebrations halted, though, as the goal was ruled out due to Endō blocking off Colwill after being in an offside position.
Conor Gallagher had three big opportunities to win the match, but hit the post, saw Kelleher rush out to deny him and then sent another attempt off-target.
![Chelsea's English midfielder #23 Conor Gallagher (L) has this late chance saved by Liverpool's Irish goalkeeper #62 Caoimhin Kelleher Chelsea's English midfielder #23 Conor Gallagher (L) has this late chance saved by Liverpool's Irish goalkeeper #62 Caoimhin Kelleher](https://livesport-ott-images.ssl.cdn.cra.cz/r900xfq60/ae7d2150-83b0-4850-ae90-ba31dede1e1a.jpg)
A winner remained agonisingly out of reach as Christopher Nkunku sent the ball into Kelleher’s grateful clutches after it had pinballed in Liverpool’s box during added time.
![Liverpool's German manager Jurgen Klopp shouts instructions to the players from the touchline Liverpool's German manager Jurgen Klopp shouts instructions to the players from the touchline](https://livesport-ott-images.ssl.cdn.cra.cz/r900xfq60/0e2c3c1e-e4cb-4f40-82a7-99809d3a61b8.jpg)
That saw the sides remain level after 90 minutes for the eighth time in their last nine H2Hs, and the game had seemed destined for penalties after Petrović impressively saved headers from Jayden Danns and Harvey Elliott.
![Virgil van Dijk celebrates after scoring the winner Virgil van Dijk celebrates after scoring the winner](https://livesport-ott-images.ssl.cdn.cra.cz/r900xfq60/9f26c4b1-77d4-4334-89ab-938ee64d0041.jpg)
The youthful Reds were put into the lead by the experienced head of Van Dijk in the final moments, though, as Liverpool extended their record of EFL Cup victories by becoming the first club in history to win this competition 10 times.
![Match stats Match stats](https://livesport-ott-images.ssl.cdn.cra.cz/r900xfq60/c408ce1d-a2aa-41d8-96e1-8f947f465871.jpg)
The Reds also inflicted Chelsea’s sixth consecutive cup final defeat at Wembley - three of which have come against Klopp’s side.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
![Player ratings Player ratings](https://livesport-ott-images.ssl.cdn.cra.cz/r900xfq60/ac0cf074-fa38-4c68-b3ee-7153ea38b489.jpg)