Klopp's kids can help keep Liverpool's quadruple dream alive

Liverpool manager says winning League Cup with a squad largely comprised of academy graduates and missing the likes of Mohamed Salah was 'most special' of his career

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, centre, hugs goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher and defender Conor Bradley after the 1-0 victory over Chelsea in the League Cup final. Getty

Jurgen Klopp described Sunday's League Cup final triumph as the "most special" of his trophy-laden coaching career.

The 1-0 win over Chelsea in extra time to secure the League Cup – the second of his Liverpool reign – was achieved without several first-team regulars, most notably Mohamed Salah, fellow strikers Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota, defender Trent Alexander-Arnold and goalkeeper Alisson Becker.

An early injury to midfielder Ryan Gravenberch made the prospect of overcoming Chelsea's expensively assembled squad even more daunting, but a group of academy products, already dubbed "Klopp's Kids" stepped up to the plate to help secure a deserved win thanks to Virgil van Dijk's late header.

Conor Bradley, age 20 and playing only his 17th first-team game, started nominally at right-back but has shown already he has the skill and passing range to slot comfortably into defender-cum-midfield hybrid role popularised by the player he was deputising for, Alexander-Arnold.

Though fatigue may have forced Klopp's hand, the German had no qualms about turning to the exuberance of youth, throwing a pair of 19-year-olds in Bobby Clark and James McConnell into midfield and asking Jayden Danns, 18, to lead the attack as the match headed for extra time. The trio of tyros boasted a combined 17 first-team games between them.

With Ibrahima Konate on a yellow card, Klopp entrusted centre-back Jarell Quansah, who at 21 and with 19 Liverpool games under his belt could be considered the older statesman of that quintet, for the second period of extra time.

It's easy to forget that Harvey Elliott, who played the entire 120 minutes, is still only 20, too.

"In more than 20 years it is easily the most special trophy I have ever won. It is absolutely exceptional," Klopp said.

"Sometimes people ask me if I'm proud of things and it's really tricky, I wish I could feel pride more often but tonight is an overwhelming feeling.

"I was proud of everyone involved in everything here. I was proud of our academy, I was proud of my coaches, I was proud of so many things. It was completely overwhelming."

Asked when he knew Liverpool's cadre of rookies were ready to step up on the big stage, Klopp said: "Obviously age is not a problem at all. It was clear in training, these were the boys we would take [to the final]. We needed fresh legs."

The Kids from the Kop certainly point to a bright future long after Klopp leaves at the end of the season. They also offer plenty of optimism in the short-term.

Liverpool's unprecedented quadruple bid in 2022 ended with two trophies won but they lost out to Manchester City in the Premier League and to Real Madrid in the Champions League final.

Klopp's class of 2024 may be inferior in terms of personnel and experience but, with Salah and Co still to return, the path to a four-trophy haul is arguably easier.

A fifth-round FA Cup tie against second-tier Southampton on Wednesday is infinitely winnable while a last-16 double header against Sparta Prague in the Europa League is another Liverpool will be expected to navigate without too much concern. While the likes of AC Milan, Benfica and Villarreal remain in the competition, they remain a rung below the teams left in the Champions League.

A one-point lead over Manchester City, themselves focused on repeating last season's treble success, at the top of the Premier League is hardly comfortable but having lost only twice in the league all season, Liverpool are well placed to push Pep Guardiola's side all the way in the title race.

With one trophy already secured, talk of a fairytale ending to Klopp's time at Liverpool – he will leave Anfield at the end of the season – with a quadruple will inevitably gather pace.

The German, however, dismissed any idea of making his final few months in charge about him.

"I couldn't care less about my legacy. I'm not here for that. It had nothing to do with maybe my last game at Wembley," Klopp said after Sunday's final.

"It was about seeing the faces of the kids. For me it's a really nice memory forever."

League Cup final player ratings

CHELSEA RATINGS: Fine save low down to his right to deny Dias goal in first half. Tipped over Danns header in extra-time. No chance with Van Dijk’s late winner. Both keepers had excellent games at Wembley. PA

One of two 20-year-olds in Chelsea back four along with Colwill. The French right-back had game’s first shot on target but hit straight at keeper. Found it tough against Diaz and Robertson at times but stuck to task in intriguing battle down his flank. AFP

Lucky to escape fifth-minute booking for poor tackle on Mac Allister. Vital challenge to deny Bradley opening goal just before half-time. Blocked by Endo in box which VAR viewed as reason to rule out Van Dijk goal. AFP

Slip led to early chance for Diaz and needed Petrovic to come to rescue with good stop. Sharp chance in second half that came at him sudden and fast and could only knee ball into air and into keeper’s hands. Beaten to ball by Dan Dijk for winner. Reuters

Another in Blue who could have been booked in opening 15 minutes, this one after poor first touch led to captain bundling over Bradley. Was booked for fracas with same player on edge of half-time but decent show for rest of game despite threat of red card hanging over him. AFP

The third Chelsea player who should have picked up a card in first half for crunching late tackle on Gravenbach’s ankle that ended Dutchman's game – and few could have argued if it had been red. AP

Tried to backheel Chelsea into the lead just after break when teammates were better placed and wasted chance – with Palmer making his frustrations very clear. Not enough influence or impact from Argentine World Cup winner. PA

Very unlucky to see lovely flicked finish come back off inside of post in 75th minute and then see rebound land with red shirt rather than blue one. Saw another effort saved 10 minutes later when through on goal and missed another chance not long after. AP

Must have thought he was going to open scoring only to see Kelleher go full stretch and block from point-blank range. Supplied pass for Gallagher’s second-half effort that hit woodwork. Denied by foot of Kelleher with another strike. Reuters

Side-footed Chelsea into what they though was a first-half lead but Jackson had been caught offside before supplying the cross. Quiet game for former Liverpool attacker who was taken off midway through second half. AFP

Saw follow-up chance blocked by Endo after keeper saved from Palmer. Caught narrowly offside ahead of supplying cross for Sterling’s disallowed goal. AFP

SUBS: (On for Sterling 67’) A couple of half chances and narrowly failed to get on end of a few crosses. Reuters

(On for Gallagher 97’) Had shot saved by Kelleher in second-half of extra-time with keeper needing two attempts to gather. AFP

(On for Jackson 89’) Brought on to great cheers from Chelsea fans but failed to make any impact. Reuters

(On for Chilwell 112’)

LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Brilliant performance filling the big shoes of Alisson. Fabulous point-blank save to deny Palmer goal in first half. Two excellent stops from Gallagher and Palmer late in second half of normal time. Getty Images

Moved into attacking role after Gravenberch injury forced reshuffle and almost scored just before break but low shot was blocked. After looking best player in pitch in opening 45 minutes, had quieter second. AFP

One of the Premier League’s best defenders in recent months was excellent again here. Showed pace and strength to get back and deny Jackson shooting chance late in game. Harsh booking for handball as he slid into a tackle. AFP

Captain thought he had put side into lead on hour mark with towering header when he was too big and strong for Chilwell – only for VAR to intervene and chalk goal off. Great run and glancing header to win game in 118th minute. AP

Trademark pinpoint cross to pick out Gakpo who headed against post then produced another perfect ball to supply Van Dijk who scored only for VAR to intervene. Getty Images

The Argentine was on the receiving end of a few bruising challenges, only to receive a booking himself for poor tackle on Caicedo. One chance early in game but drove shot straight at keeper. Getty Images

Japanese midfielder threw himself in front of Jackson shot to deflect first-half chance over bar after Kelleher saved superbly from Palmer. Cost Van Dijk a goal when he was deemed to have blocked a Chelsea defender in run-up. Reuters

Dutch midfielder had his game ended in first half by awful Caicedo challenge and was carried off pitch with ankle injury. Getty Images

First real sight of goal came just before hour mark when he struck volley into ground and Petrovic punched clear. Shot into side netting and headed against post with two extra-time chances. Getty Images

Headed against post five minutes before half-time. Smashed shot way over bar after fine run and pass from Diaz. Reuters

Pace and trickery caused Chelsea problems throughout as he combined well with Robertson down left. Liverpool’s main attacking threat in absence of Jota, Salah and Nunez. Getty Images

SUBS: (On for Gravenbach 27’) The man who has yet to score in senior football struck shot straight at keeper from tight angle ten minutes from time. Booked for time-wasting. Reuters

(On for Bradley 72’) Immediate impact from the young midfielder who ran at Chelsea defence, won tackles and passed the ball well. PA

(On for Gakpo 88’) Chance within minutes of coming on but shot easily saved. Saw header tipped over bar in extra time. AFP

(On for Mac Allister 88’) One of three very young substitutes brought on with injuries leaving Liverpool with no experience on bench to turn to. Booked for blatant pulling on Palmer's shirt. PA

(On for Robertson 88’) Settled straight in and gave team some much-needed experience with so many young heads around him. Had one shot comfortably saved but supplied cross for winner. Reuters

(On for Konate 106’) Getty Images