Liverpool's Salah, Nunez miss League Cup triumph over Chelsea

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Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez were among a host of Liverpool absentees for Sunday's 1-0 victory over Chelsea in the League Cup final.

The forwards, who've combined for 32 goals in all competitions, joined Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alisson, Dominik Szoboszlai, Diogo Jota, Curtis Jones, and Joel Matip on the sidelines. Ryan Gravenberch added to Liverpool's injury woes when he needed to be substituted in the 28th minute.

Five teenagers were named on Liverpool's bench, including the sons of former Premier League players Neil Danns and Jason Koumas. The former, Jayden Danns, was part of a sizable group of Liverpool youngsters who impressed at Wembley.

Liverpool starting XI: Kelleher; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Endo, Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Elliott, Gakpo, Diaz

Subs: Adrian, Gomez, Tsimikas, Clark, McConnell, Koumas, Danns, Quansah, Nyoni

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino didn't make any changes to the side that drew 1-1 at Manchester City last weekend. Summer signing Christopher Nkunku, who scored a consolation goal in the 4-1 Premier League defeat at Liverpool in January, was introduced from the bench in the 67th minute.

Chelsea starting XI: Petrovic; Gusto, Disasi, Colwill, Chilwell; Caicedo, Fernandes, Gallagher; Palmer, Jackson, Sterling

Subs: Sanchez, Bettinelli, Chalobah, Gee, Gilchrist, Tauriainen, Madueke, Mudryk, Nkunku

Chelsea and Liverpool combined for 43 shots in a gripping final. Virgil van Dijk rose to nod in the winning goal in the 118th minute.