Kepa Arrizabalaga’s missed penalty saw Liverpool claim a record ninth League Cup at Wembley Stadium.
The Spanish goalkeeper, who was subbed on at 119 minutes for the penalty shootout, stepped up with 21 penalties having been scored and blazed his effort over the bar.
This result sees Liverpool win back their record of wins in this competition which was equalled by Manchester City following their triumph over Tottenham Hotspur last season.
It was a game full of opportunities for both sides to win the game in normal time, with the ball finding the back of the net four times in 120 minutes of football.
Liverpool thought they took the lead in the 66th minute when a well-worked free kick saw Trent Alexander-Arnold clip the ball to the back post towards Sadio Mane whose header found Joel Matip, who nodded home from close range.
However, following a VAR check, the goal was ruled out for offside due to Van Dijk being in an offside position and interfering with play by blocking the run of Reece James as the free kick was taken.
Substitute Romelu Lukaku thought he had won it for his side in extra-time when he fired past Kelleher but the linesman’s flag went up for a marginal offside, with the Belgian’s shoulder just ahead of the foot of Virgil van Dijk.
Both goalkeepers also played a big part in the game going the distance with Edouard Mendy and Caoimhin Kelleher making vital saves to keep their sides in it.
The Senegalese international made the best save of the evening when he got across to block Sadio Mané’s follow up effort after Naby Keita’s shot was parried out to the Liverpool forward.
This is Jurgen Klopp’s first victory in a final at Wembley in three attempts and this win sees the German manager win his first League Cup at the second time of asking.
Words by Ciaran Coyle
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