Van Dijk ´very hungry´ for repeat EFL Cup final success

Virgil van Dijk says last season’s EFL Cup final triumph has made him “very hungry” for a repeat success against Newcastle United 12 months on.

The Liverpool skipper was the hero in last year’s showpiece at Wembley, with his header in the 118th minute sealing a dramatic 1-0 victory over Chelsea.

It was Van Dijk’s first honour while wearing the armband, having taken over from the outgoing Jordan Henderson at the start of that campaign.

And the Dutchman hopes to experience that “amazing feeling” once more on Sunday, when the runaway Premier League leaders look to complete the first part of a potential double.

“Obviously, last year was pretty special, obviously the whole evening, build-up, how the game went,” he told Liverpool’s official website.

“It was definitely a special one that I’m never going to forget. It definitely makes me very hungry to, hopefully, do it again against a very good Newcastle side.

“These things I will never take for granted. Lifting trophies for Liverpool is an amazing feeling together with our fans.

“I think every night that we have been experiencing these moments has been so special. You want more of it, and you want to experience it again and again and again.

“We know how difficult it is and, in every competition, we are competing to be able to do that. But we have an opportunity, a big final, against a very good team that can make it very difficult for you.

“It’s a final, it’s a day at Wembley with our fans, family and friends that we want to achieve the maximum [from] – which is holding the cup and going home to Liverpool with the trophy. That’s what we’re going to fight for.”

Tomorrow…#CarabaoCupFinalpic.twitter.com/TaXL4GaQCT

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) March 15, 2025