After Liverpool defeated Chelsea in the League Cup final, Jurgen Klopp praised the win as the "most special" trophy of his career, proving he can still succeed with young players.
A stunning header by Virgil van Dijk two minutes before the end of extra time at Wembley on Sunday sealed Liverpool's 1-0 victory.
Because Liverpool's win came during a time when injuries plagued the team and he was forced to use a remarkably inexperienced lineup, Klopp's victory was particularly sweet.
Conor Bradley and Harvey Elliott, both 20 years old, were the Reds manager's starting lineup. From the bench, he added Bobby Clark (19), James McConnell (19), Jayden Danns (18), and Jarell Quansah (21).
Because Liverpool's win came during a time when injuries plagued the team and he was forced to use a remarkably inexperienced lineup, Klopp's victory was particularly sweet.
Conor Bradley and Harvey Elliott, both 20 years old, were the Reds manager's starting lineup. From the bench, he added Bobby Clark (19), James McConnell (19), Jayden Danns (18), and Jarell Quansah (21).
Along with Ryan Gravenberch being carried off on a stretcher in the first half, injuries have cost Klopp the services of Darwin Nunez, Alisson Becker, Joel Matip, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah, and Diogo Jota.
The seventh major prize of Klopp's nine-year tenure at Liverpool was, under the circumstances, the most memorable of his career.
"It is without a doubt the most meaningful award I have ever earned in almost 20 years. It is just remarkable," he declared.
"People ask me sometimes whether I'm proud of something, and it's incredibly difficult for me to say no. I wish I could feel pride more often, but right now it feels overwhelming.
"I was pleased with all those who contributed to this. I had a lot of pride in a lot of things, including our academy and my coaches. It was entirely too much."
"You can't win anything with kids," as former Liverpool defender Alan Hansen notoriously attacked Alex Ferguson's choice to blood a number of Manchester United youngsters, notably David Beckham, Paul Scholes, and Gary Neville.
Hansen's use of phrase ultimately backfired as United's youth team dominated the Premier League.
Before Sunday's victory, Klopp had never heard Hansen's statement; yet, it touched an emotional nerve with the German.
The seventh major prize of Klopp's nine-year tenure at Liverpool was, under the circumstances, the most memorable of his career.
"It is without a doubt the most meaningful award I have ever earned in almost 20 years. It is just remarkable," he declared.
"People ask me sometimes whether I'm proud of something, and it's incredibly difficult for me to say no. I wish I could feel pride more often, but right now it feels overwhelming.
"I was pleased with all those who contributed to this. I had a lot of pride in a lot of things, including our academy and my coaches. It was entirely too much."
"You can't win anything with kids," as former Liverpool defender Alan Hansen notoriously attacked Alex Ferguson's choice to blood a number of Manchester United youngsters, notably David Beckham, Paul Scholes, and Gary Neville.
Hansen's use of phrase ultimately backfired as United's youth team dominated the Premier League.
Before Sunday's victory, Klopp had never heard Hansen's statement; yet, it touched an emotional nerve with the German.
I've heard in English that you don't win prizes with children. He remarked, "I never knew that."
"It was fantastic. Is it possible to write football stories that have never been told before? It is really challenging. It's amazing if you can locate any tale of a group of academy players taking on and defeating a famous team like Chelsea."
"A memory that lasts a lifetime"
With a puzzled smile on his face immediately following Van Dijk's goal and a pumping fist during the post-match celebrations, Klopp relished every second of what may be his final trip to Wembley following his recent declaration that he will be leaving Liverpool at the end of the current campaign.
"It was fantastic. Is it possible to write football stories that have never been told before? It is really challenging. It's amazing if you can locate any tale of a group of academy players taking on and defeating a famous team like Chelsea."
"A memory that lasts a lifetime"
With a puzzled smile on his face immediately following Van Dijk's goal and a pumping fist during the post-match celebrations, Klopp relished every second of what may be his final trip to Wembley following his recent declaration that he will be leaving Liverpool at the end of the current campaign.
"I have no regard for my legacy. That's not why I'm here. It was unrelated to his "possibly last game at Wembley," he stated.
"Observing the children's faces was the main focus. It will always be a really pleasant memory for me.
When asked when he was certain that Liverpool's group of inexperienced players were prepared to take centre stage, Klopp responded, "Obviously, age is not an issue at all." These were the boys we were going to take (to the final), it was evident in training. We required new limbs."
While Klopp anticipates that Liverpool's triumph would strengthen their position atop the Premier League and help them win the FA Cup and Europa League, Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino was forced to tell his team to accept their loss.
Towards the end of regular time, Pochettino's team paid a price for missing several opportunities to put an end to Liverpool.
"We didn't receive the desired prize. They must ease the suffering. We competed for a trophy that was not ours. Nothing you can say will make me feel better," remarked Pochettino, the English football manager who has yet to win a trophy.
They must understand that in order to compete at this level against a squad that has been making significant progress for many years, we must put in more effort and perform better.
"Liverpool has previously lost championship games, but they never gave up and never lost hope. We take that as an example."
"Observing the children's faces was the main focus. It will always be a really pleasant memory for me.
When asked when he was certain that Liverpool's group of inexperienced players were prepared to take centre stage, Klopp responded, "Obviously, age is not an issue at all." These were the boys we were going to take (to the final), it was evident in training. We required new limbs."
While Klopp anticipates that Liverpool's triumph would strengthen their position atop the Premier League and help them win the FA Cup and Europa League, Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino was forced to tell his team to accept their loss.
Towards the end of regular time, Pochettino's team paid a price for missing several opportunities to put an end to Liverpool.
"We didn't receive the desired prize. They must ease the suffering. We competed for a trophy that was not ours. Nothing you can say will make me feel better," remarked Pochettino, the English football manager who has yet to win a trophy.
They must understand that in order to compete at this level against a squad that has been making significant progress for many years, we must put in more effort and perform better.
"Liverpool has previously lost championship games, but they never gave up and never lost hope. We take that as an example."
