A sign of progress as Liverpool win trophy with a bunch of kids

Jurgen Klopp has done a remarkable job in Liverpool's League Cup campaigns. Started it with losing the final in his initial season to Manchester City, Klopp concluded it with a trophy celebration at Wembley nine years later.

Klopp has just handed the 10th League Cup trophy to Liverpool. Virgil van Dijk's header plunged into ?or?e Petrovi?'s net in extra time. This is Klopp's second League Cup collection in his career after winning it for the first time two years ago. Only Bob Paisley won more (3) with The Reds.

What makes it more special was Liverpool doing it amid the injury crisis. At least 10 first team players were sidelined due to multiple issues. Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez, Dominik Szoboszlai, Diogo Jota, Curtis Jones, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Alisson were not on the bench or the list.

But Klopp's true masterclass is shown here as the German trusted young players to step in. Liverpool came to Wembley with eight players aged 21 years old or younger, five on the bench, one out on the pitch. Only Connor Bradley and Harvey Elliot, both 20 years old, started the game.

Meanwhile, the likes of James McConnell (19), Bobby Clark (19), Jarell Quansah (21), Jayden Danns (18), Lewis Koumas (18), and Trey Nyoni (16) were on the bench. At the end of the match, only Koumas and Nyoni remained on the side line while the rest were given an opportunity to take on the red outfit.

"Apparently, you don't win trophies with kids, I didn't know that," Klopp said in a post-match interview via Sky. "It is easily the most special trophy I've ever won. It's absolutely exceptional.

"Seeing the faces of these kids. Nobody will ever forget this story - it's so difficult. This tonight, if you find the same story with academy players coming on against a top side and still winning it, wow."

In total, there were 11 young players and academy graduates involved in Liverpool's League Cup campaign this year. Putting all of the young players on the pitch was a sign of progression of Liverpool's development. This League Cup final involved more academy players than the two previous finals.

Back in 2012 when Liverpool beat Cardiff City, there were no players 21 years old or younger on the list. The youngest they had were Martin Kelly (22) and Jay Spearing (24), although none of them were playing. Ten years later, Harvey Elliot (20) came on in the second half, replacing Jordan Henderson.

The 2024 Carabao Cup final was a manifestation of what Klopp was saying in his first press conference in 2015. His infamous bit about changing "from doubters to believers" has truly translated into Liverpool's mentality on the pitch.

Even former Manchester United player Gary Neville praised The Reds' young force, saying they proved themselves reliably in a big game against Chelsea.

"In extra-time it's been Klopp's kids against the blue, billion-pound bottlejobs," said Neville. "Liverpool have been absolutely sensational," added Neville. "Those young players have been incredible. Klopp must be so proud."