Virgil Van Dijk: Big Game VVD Shows Up for Liverpool Again With MOTM Display in Carabao Cup Final

• Virgil van Dijk stepped up big time in Liverpool's 1-0 win over Chelsea in the Carabao Cup Final
• It was the Dutchman's third final with the Reds, where he was awarded Man of the Match honours
• He also received that award in the 2019 Champions League Final and 2022 Carabao Cup Final

Virgil van Dijk is the man for the big occasion for Liverpool.

He delivered when his team needed him the most in the 2024 Carabao Cup final against Chelsea, scoring the match-winner for the Reds in the dying minutes of extra time.

Sports Brief looks at van Dijk's Man of the Match displays in previous finals following his tour de force performance against the Blues.

Van Dijk's MOTM displays in Finals

2019 UEFA Champions League

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Van Dijk stepped up big time in the 2019 Champion League final against Tottenham. He helped the Reds collect their sixth European Cup, playing a huge role in Liverpool recording a clean sheet against Spurs.

Thomas Schaaf, the leader of the UEFA Technical Observers in Madrid, explained why van Dijk won the Man of the Match award.

He said that the Dutchman "showed outstanding leadership and was Liverpool's best defender" against Tottenham.

Schaaf added that van Dijk "made crucial interventions" in the final when needed, and he "played with a cool head throughout."

2022 Carabao Cup

Van Dijk helped Liverpool win another trophy in 2022, this time in the Carabao Cup. He was solid at the back for Liverpool, helping the Reds shut out the Blues' vaunted attack for the entire 120 minutes of regulation and extra time.

Liverpool went on to prevail 11-10 in the penalty shootout after Kepa Arrizabalaga missed his spot kick.

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Van Dijk, who scored one of the Reds' penalties, was given the Alan Hardaker Trophy after the final for his Man of the Match display vs. Chelsea.

2024 Carabao Cup

Van Dijk made history in Liverpool's 2024 Carabao Cup Final win. He became the fourth player in League Cup history to win the Alan Hardaker Trophy twice, joining Ben Foster, John Terry, and Vincent Kompany on the exclusive list.

He was the clear choice to win the Man of the Match award on Sunday after his towering display on both ends of the pitch for Liverpool, per The Mirror.

He helped the Reds keep the Blues at bay for 120 minutes and scored the game-winning goal deep into extra time.

Liverpool's Carabao Cup prize money

Sports Brief recently reported on the prize money Liverpool earned after their Carabao Cup win on Sunday.

The Reds will be receiving £100,000 for winning the domestic trophy.

Chelsea will get half of that amount following their runner-up finish.