Virgil van Dijk reveals reason why the Carabao Cup means so much to him
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Virgil Van Dijk Latest NewsVirgil van Dijk has experienced Champions League glory, Premier League triumphs and domestic cup victories during his Liverpool career, yet the Carabao Cup remains one of the most meaningful competitions to him.
The captain explained that lifting the trophy at Wembley in 2022 and 2024 gave him some of the best memories of his career, while the sting of last season’s defeat to Newcastle continues to drive him forward.
As Liverpool prepare to face Southampton in the third round at Anfield, Van Dijk emphasised that the Carabao Cup offers more than just silverware, it represents the grit, character and unity that define this squad.
He believes the competition provides an important platform for every player to contribute, from senior stars to those still fighting for minutes and insisted that it remains central to Liverpool’s ambitions this season.
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Van Dijk’s words made clear that the Carabao Cup is far from an afterthought.
“The Carabao Cup will always have a special place in my heart,” he wrote in his programme notes (via Liverpool FC).
“I will never forget the feelings we had at Wembley when we beat Chelsea.
“We are all looking forward to getting going again tonight as we welcome Southampton,” he said.
He also pointed to the team’s resilience during a demanding week that included wins over Atletico Madrid, Burnley and Everton.
“To record three victories in the space of six days, all against opponents who we knew would be extremely competitive and extremely well-organised from a defensive sense, says a lot about the quality and character of this team.
“We had to dig deep, even suffer at times, but I believe that the hard work that we put in on a daily basis can really be seen in our performances so far this season.”
For Van Dijk, the Carabao Cup also highlights the importance of Liverpool’s squad depth.
“The noise was fantastic against Everton and Atletico, and we would love more of the same this evening,” Van Dijk said.
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