Irish Daily Mail

LIVERPOOL PLAYER RATINGS

- BY LEWIS STEELE

CAOIMHIN KELLEHER — 9

Two seismic saves — denying Cole Palmer from point-blank range in the first half and then Conor Gallagher towards the end — won Liverpool the game.

CONOR BRADLEY — 7.5

Got up and down the wing like a gazelle and always provided a threat, especially when switched to a right winger from a full back. Before that, he defended solidly.

IBRAHIMA KONATE — 8

An interestin­g battle with Nicolas Jackson that the Frenchman edged, showing good strength, reading of the game and a commanding aura.

VIRGIL VAN DIJK — 9

Great header for the goal that never was — and an even better one for the one that stood, deep into extra time. Led a young squad by example. Imperious.

ANDY ROBERTSON — 7.5

Looks back to full fitness after missing three months and this was a decent showing. Made some vital intercepti­ons and got down the left flank with verve.

ALEXIS MAC ALLISTER — 7

Good battle with his Argentina teammate Enzo Fernandez, plus former Brighton pal Moises Caicedo. Couldn’t impact the attack as much as he sometimes does.

WATARU ENDO — 8.5

Always available to receive the ball, screened the defence perfectly and the Japan captain broke up many Chelsea counter-attacks with clever No 6 play.

RYAN GRAVENBERC­H — 5.5

A sad end to his first final in English football. Left on a stretcher after a nasty tackle by Moises Caicedo.

HARVEY ELLIOTT — 8

A good source of energy, whether on the right wing or in central areas but often lacked final pass. Unlucky not to score.

CODY GAKPO — 6.5

Hit the post in Liverpool’s best chance of regulation time but didn’t offer much else.

LUIS DIAZ — 7.5

By far the most dangerous man in red on the pitch. Sometimes was a bit wasteful when in good areas but never stopped running and put in a good show.

SUBSTITUTE­S JOE GOMEZ — 7.5

(for Gravenberc­h, 28) Solid. Still only 26 but was one of the elder statesmen on the pitch towards the end. BOBBY CLARK — 7 (Bradley, 72) Danced through Chelsea’s midfield.

KOSTAS TSIMIKAS — 7 (Robertson, 87) An attacking threat from left back.

JAMES McCONNELL — 7.5

(Mac Allister, 87) A No 8 by trade but has been transforme­d into a No 6 this season and is excelling. JAYDEN DANNS — 7.5 (Gakpo, 87) Son of Neil Danns was a menace. Unlucky not to score with a header in extra time. JARELL QUANSAH — 7 (Konate, 105) Silky on the ball as usual. Featured in all but one game of the Carabao Cup run. NOT USED: Adrian, Lewis Koumas, Trey

Nyoni. MANAGER: JURGEN KLOPP — 9

A game to prove management is much more than tactics. Gave his team belief, which was the main component of this triumph. A day he will never forget.

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