Notebook from Wembley: Liverpool Fans Experience Digital Ticketing Problems, Brighton Owner Tony Bloom Wears Red Tie in Royal Box, and Injuries Pile Up for Jurgen Klopp’s Team

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Liverpool overcame Chelsea in extra-time with a 1-0 win to secure success in the Carabao Cup final.

Virgil van Dijk scored the only goal of the game, with Liverpool getting their first trophy of the season.

Here, Mail Sport’s Sami Mokbel brings you the moments that you may have missed from the finalat Wembley. 

Liverpool won the Carabao Cup as they secured a 1-0 victory against Chelsea after extra-time

 

Digital tickets cause problems for Liverpool fans 

Thousands of Liverpool supporters were caught up in chaotic scenes outside Wembley in the build up to kick-off due to problems with the digital ticketing system.

Liverpool’s allocation were in digital tickets while Chelsea were given traditional paper stubs. But issues with the digital entry systems sparked havoc for Liverpool fans, many of whom had to queue up for paper tickets after being refused entry. Those travelling down from Merseyside had already been subjected to an arduous journey south owing to difficulties on the train network.

Digital tickets caused problems for Liverpool supporters ahead of the Carabao Cup final

Digital tickets caused problems for Liverpool supporters ahead of the Carabao Cup final

 

Sterling and Gomez face each other again 

You couldn’t help but raise a wry smile when Raheem Sterling and Joe Gomez went frantically for the same ball in the 34th minute. 

A similar clash at Anfield in November 2019 culminated in the pair being involved in a heated altercation at St George’s Park whilst on England duty less than 24 hours later, head coach Gareth Southgate suspending Sterling from the forthcoming game versus Montenegro for his role as the aggressor in the flashpoint. There was no such scuffle here at Wembley on Sunday – but the irony of if all didn’t go unnoticed.

The battle between Raheem Sterling and Joe Gomez evoked memories of their clash in 2019

The battle between Raheem Sterling and Joe Gomez evoked memories of their clash in 2019

 

Document shows Chelsea’s squad for the final 

Thiago Silva loses his Wembley fitness race. ‘Mischa’ Mudryk. Academy prospects Jimi Taurainen and Billy Gee make the cut. And an 11.30am meet in Cobham for those not involved. Here, Mail Sport can disclose the official document confirming Chelsea’s match-day squad for the Wembley showpiece.

 

Stan Bowles would have wanted neither side to win 

On the face of it, you’d think it would be a safe bet to assume Stan Bowles, who sadly passed away on Saturday following a battle with Alzheimers, would have been rooting for a Liverpool victory. 

Bowles served Chelsea’s arch west London rivals Queens Park Rangers with great distinction for seven years from 1972. But Bowles’ roots are firmly in Greater Manchester, playing for City and Bury before moving south. So you could well imagine Bowles, in all his charm and wit, confessing he’d have wanted neither of these teams to win.

The legendary Stan Bowles probably wouldn't have wanted either team to win at Wembley

 The legendary Stan Bowles probably wouldn’t have wanted either team to win at Wembley

 

Brighton owner Tony Bloom attends the game 

Brighton owner Tony Bloom was in the Royal Box on Sunday. Of course, Bloom has lost countless players and staff to Chelsea since Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali – who made a rare appearance together at Wembley – took over the Stamford Bridge ownership reins less than 18 months ago. So, the fact Bloom was wearing a red tie certainly set tongues wagging.

Brighton owner Tony Bloom was seen wearing a red tie in the Royal Box at Wembley

Brighton owner Tony Bloom was seen wearing a red tie in the Royal Box at Wembley

 

Gravenberch adds to Liverpool’s injury struggles

Eleven. That’s 11 injured players Liverpool are now nursing. Ryan Gravenberch became the latest casualty for the injury ravaged Reds here as he was stretchered off following a lunge by Moises Caicedo that saw the Dutchman’s ankle turn nastily. Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez, Curtis Jones, Diogo Jota, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Thiago Alcantara, Stefan Bajetic, Dominik Szoboszlai, Alisson and Joel Matip are all out.

Ryan Gravenberch suffered an ankle injury as Liverpool's problems on that front continued

Ryan Gravenberch suffered an ankle injury as Liverpool’s problems on that front continued

 

Police enforce booze ban along Wembley Way 

Police actively enforce the booze ban along Wembley Way ahead of kick-off. Often here at Wembley, you’d see officers turn a blind eye to it. But here on Sunday, swathes of fans indulging in a pre-match tipple were stopped and told to dispose of their cans bottles as they made their way up to the stadium.

The police enforced the booze ban along Wembley ahead of kick-off on Sunday

The police enforced the booze ban along Wembley ahead of kick-off on Sunday

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