Jurgen Klopp described Liverpool’s League Cup final victory against Chelsea as the “most special” trophy of his career, as the German discovered he can win with children.

Virgil van Dijk scored a stunning header two minutes into extra time to give Liverpool a 1-0 victory at Wembley Stadium on Sunday.

Liverpool’s success was especially sweet for Klopp since it came amid an injury-plagued era for his team, forcing him to deploy a surprisingly youthful squad.

The Reds manager started with 20-year-olds Conor Bradley and Harvey Elliott, then brought on Bobby Clark (19), James McConnell (19), Jayden Danns (18), and Jarell Quansah (21) off the bench.

Injuries had left Klopp without Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Diogo Jota, Darwin Nunez, Alisson Becker, and Joel Matip, among others, while Ryan Gravenberch was stretchered out during the first half.

Given the circumstances, Klopp regarded the seventh major prize of his nine-year tenure at Liverpool as the most memorable of his career.

“In more than 20 years it is easily the most special trophy I have ever won. It is absolutely exceptional,” he said.

“Sometimes people ask me if I’m proud of things and it’s really tricky, I wish I could feel pride more often but tonight is an overwhelming feeling.

“I was proud of everyone involved in everything here. I was proud of our academy, I was proud of my coaches, I was proud of so many things. It was completely overwhelming.”

Former Liverpool defender Alan Hansen famously criticised Alex Ferguson’s decision to blood a host of Manchester United youngsters, including David Beckham, Paul Scholes and Gary Neville, by saying “you can’t win anything with kids”.

As United’s young players dominated the Premier League, Hansen’s change of words backfired.

Klopp hadn’t heard Hansen’s statement until after Sunday’s victory, when it struck a chord with the emotional German.

“I got told there is an English phrase you don’t win trophies with kids. I never knew that,” he said.

“I loved it. Can you create stories in football that never happened before? It is so difficult. If you can find any story about a group of academy kids coming on against a top team like Chelsea and winning, it’s incredible.”

‘A memory forever’

Klopp, wreathed in a bemused smile in the minutes following Van Dijk’s goal and at his fist-pumping best in the post-match celebrations, relished every moment of what may be his final visit to Wembley Stadium after announcing his departure from Liverpool at the end of the season.

“I couldn’t care less about my legacy. I’m not here for that. It had nothing to do with maybe my last game at Wembley,” he said.

“It was about seeing the faces of the kids. For me it’s a really nice memory forever.”

Asked when he knew Liverpool’s cadre of rookies were ready to step up on the big stage, Klopp said: “Obviously age is not a problem at all. It was clear in training, these were the boys we would take (to the final). We needed fresh legs.”

While Klopp expects Liverpool’s triumph would help them maintain their Premier League lead and win the FA Cup and Europa League, Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino was forced to persuade his team to accept defeat.

Pochettino’s team paid the price after squandering many chances to defeat Liverpool toward the end of regular time.

“We didn’t get the reward we wanted. They need to fill the pain. We played for a trophy we didn’t get. There is nothing you can tell me to feel better,” said Pochettino, who remains without a trophy in English football.

“They need to realise we need to work more, do better things, to compete at this level against a team that has been doing big things for many years.

“Liverpool lost the finals in the past, but they kept moving and kept believing. That is an example to us.”