Virgil van Dijk says Liverpool's improved maturity helped them claim a tough win over Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday.

The Reds were triumphant at Wembley after winning 11-10 on penalties.

Jurgen Klopp's side failed to win a trophy in the 2020/21 campaign, but van Dijk says the experience toughened up his teammates.

"We are matured and been through quite a lot over the last two seasons, injuries, the way we play or additions we have made," van Dijk said.

"Thiago could not start today but Naby [Keita] came in the last second of the warm up and was outstanding. We are playing with a lot of confidence."

He added: "[It's] very special. There was a lot of hard work, what we expected before the game. A lot of calm nerves. It was an intense game and offside goals were also a thing and that rule of just keeping playing on until whenever is annoying.

"It is something we have to consider taking out for next season. Unnecessary metres and challenges come from it.

"The penalties overall were all quite good apart from the last one.

"I told the ref I don't understand. I wasn't even participating in the moment, the ball went over my head and I did not even go for the ball. It is a game of challenges and you are allowed to block a move. I think we saw it when Manchester United played away at Burnley there was a similar thing that was also disallowed and I don't understand it."