Chelsea (4-2-3-1)
Djordje Petrovic Produced good saves from Díaz, Danns and Elliott but had no chance with either of Van Dijk’s headers. 7/10
Malo Gusto Up against Liverpool’s most experienced outlet in Díaz and had mixed results. Distribution in the final third not good enough. 6
Axel Disasi A sloppy first touch gifted Liverpool chances and made it difficult for Chelsea to build. Lost Van Dijk for the winner. 5
Levi Colwill Overcame a careless start, when caught in possession and leaving Gakpo unmarked, to produce an assured display. 7
Ben Chilwell Often second best in the individual duels – imagine if Salah had been fit – and had few chances to break forward. 5
Moisés Caicedo Extremely fortunate to escape punishment for ending Gravenberch’s final. Worked hard to regain control of midfield but minimal influence. 6
Enzo Fernández Swamped by Liverpool’s more aggressive midfield in the early stages and, though he improved, lacked authority overall. 6
Cole Palmer Chelsea’s brightest forward this season rarely shined at Wembley, although his impact increased as the final wore on. 6
Conor Gallagher Struck a post and missed two great chances to win it late on, but involved in most of Chelsea’s best moments. 7
Raheem Sterling Completely anonymous aside from his disallowed goal and inevitable substitution. Needed to offer far more. 4
Nicolas Jackson Worked hard for scant reward against Van Dijk and Konaté. Unlucky with his offside assist for Sterling. 6
Substitutes
Nkunku (for Sterling 66) Injected more pace and menace than Sterling but unable to find an end product. 6
Mudryk (for Jackson 90) Had a good chance to win it late in normal time but lacked the quality to do so. 5
Madueke (for Gallagher 97) Gamely tried to lift an atrocious extra-time display from Chelsea. 6
Chalobah (for Chilwell 113) On too late to have an impact. 5
Liverpool (4-3-3)
Caoimhín Kelleher The Carabao Cup final specialist excelled again with vital, point-blank saves from Palmer, Gallagher, Mudryk and Nkunku. 9
Conor Bradley Dominant initially, pressing to great effect and subduing Sterling, but influence reduced after enforced move into midfield. 7
Ibrahima Konaté A calming presence at the back. Alert too, as demonstrated by a crucial tackle on Nkunku late on. 8
Virgil van Dijk Bullied Jackson and unstoppable in the air, at both ends of the pitch. A brilliant contribution from a brilliant captain. 9
Andy Robertson Tired after his recent lay-off but made his mark with pin-point deliveries for Gakpo and Van Dijk. 7
Alexis Mac Allister Set the tone for Liverpool’s performance with a sharp, aggressive and relentless display. A surprise substitution. 8
Wataru Endo A tigerish, tireless influence. Held the performance together despite all the inexperienced changes around him. 9
Ryan Gravenberch His final was ended prematurely by Caicedo. Stretchered off after 28 minutes with an ankle injury. 5
Harvey Elliott Carried a heavy responsibility in the absence of Salah and Jota and, while the end product wasn’t always there, gave everything for 120 minutes. 7
Cody Gakpo Close to breaking the deadlock with a header against the post but unable to capitalise on the weaknesses in the Chelsea defence. 6
Luis Díaz Carried Liverpool’s attacking threat single-handedly at times. Overelaborated at times but never let Chelsea rest. 7
Substitutes
Gomez (for Gravenberch 28) Unlucky not to start but ensured there was no further disruption when Gravenberch went off injured. 7
Clark (for Bradley 72) Worked hard to stifle the influence of Caicedo and Fernández. 7
Tsimikas (for Robertson 87) The “Greek scouser” clearly loves Wembley. Delivered the corner for the winner and injected more attacking impetus when he came on. 7
McConnell (for Mac Allister 87) Helped Liverpool to maintain their superiority despite the almost constant disruption. 7
Danns (for Gakpo 87) Hugely effective. Twice went close to scoring and caused panic in the Chelsea defence. 8
Quansah (for Konate 105) Another quietly effective and important contribution from the emerging centre-half. 7
