Jurgen Klopp reveals message to Liverpool players ahead of Carabao Cup final against Chelsea

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Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has advised his team to always value the importance of winning trophies, following their qualification for the Carabao Cup final against Chelsea.

Having secured a 2-1 lead in the first leg of their semi-final at Anfield, Liverpool confirmed their spot in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley on February 25, following a 1-1 draw at Craven Cottage.

This upcoming final will be a rematch of the 2022 Carabao Cup final, where Liverpool triumphed over Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea in a penalty shootout.

“It is fantastic. We had the experience before, we know what to expect. It’s outstanding, it’s fantastic, it’s fantastic for our people,” Klopp said after Liverpool reached the Carabao Cup final on Wednesday evening.

“Again Chelsea, wow, what a story that is.

“For tonight I told the boys you should never take for granted that you are part of a football club and team who can win trophies, that means you have to qualify for finals and we are obviously the lucky ones who are part of it.

“What the boys did tonight was again exceptional, it was the full cup experience. Early goal, really good first 30 minutes, opponent came up, their own stadium, we did a bit less and they did a bit more, open game, second half they started a bit wilder, we don’t score, we leave the door open and they walk halfway through to get the equaliser. But the boys did really well, I am really happy with so many things.

“In the end the only thing that counts in the end is that we are through, it’s a big night. The very young ones have been incredible in the whole journey, it’s so cool to see them in the dressing room now, it’s fantastic.

“They are all exceptional and they all worked extremely hard. This was not the night to shine, or play a bit of fancy football, this was the night to qualify for a final. You heard from Marco [Silva] yesterday how much reaching a final it means to Fulham, that they really want to go there, we had to prove our point and we did. These boys want to win, these boys want to qualify for big, big finals and we did tonight, it’s absolutely special.

“Everything great about the Carabao Cup final, the only problem is it’s in the middle of the season. We cannot focus on that final. Around that we have to be focused on all the other competitions as well and that is what we will do.

“It is so perfect. Wembley is a special place and I am really happy for everyone involved they can have that experience again.”