Liverpool suffered a huge injury blow in the Carabao Cup final against Chelsea as Ryan Gravenberch was forced off on a stretcher in the first half.
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Liverpool face Chelsea in Carabao Cup finalGravenberch stretchered off earlyKlopp fuming over Caicedo's challenge(C)Getty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?
The Dutchman's afternoon at Wembley was ended inside the opening half-hour following a late challenge from Chelsea's Moises Caicedo. The summer signing grimaced in pain and could not continue, with Joe Gomez replacing him after 28 minutes. As it became clear the midfielder was set to come off, Reds manager Jurgen Klopp, who was already without the injured Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez, was seen furiously remonstrating with the officials over the tackle, especially as Caicedo escaped a booking. In the end, it didn't matter a great deal to the result as Liverpool won in extra-time thanks to Virgil van Dijk's header.
AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Liverpool already have a hefty injury list, with the likes of Diogo Jota (knee), Trent Alexander-Arnold (knee), Alisson (thigh), Nunez (knock), and Salah (thigh) currently sidelined. With the Reds, who fielded a youthful bench against Chelsea due to their multiple absentees, aiming for a quadruple in Klopp's last season in charge, another injury blow such as this is far from ideal. The 21-year-old was later seen wearing a protective boot whilst on crutches at full time, so he could be out for a while.
Getty ImagesDID YOU KNOW?
Liverpool, who currently sit top of the Premier League and are vying for Europa League and FA Cup triumphs as well, won the Carabao Cup for a record ninth time in 2022 when they beat Chelsea in the showpiece event. Now with this victory, that has risen to 10.
Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT?
Following this victory, Liverpool are in FA Cup action on Wednesday when they host Championship side Southampton at Anfield, whereas Chelsea entertain Premier League hopefuls Leeds United in the same competition that very night.