Joe Gomez says the entire Liverpool squad are determined to do Jurgen Klopp “justice” for the rest of the season
The Reds beat Chelsea 1-0 at Wembley thanks to Virgil van Dijk’s header shortly before the end of extra time
The final will be remembered by many for Klopp’s side winning without as many as 12 senior players and with three academy graduates in the side.
Ryan Gravenberch became the 12th player to join the absentee list after an ankle injury
Klopp was forced to send on youngsters Bobby Clark, Jayden Danns and James McConnell in the second half due to the worsening injury crisis within his ranks.
Gomez
"And obviously credit to the skip (Van Dijk)."
“It's kind of like it is obvious, it doesn't need to be spoken about. Everyone knows about the importance and we get that aura anyway in team meetings at the minute.
“We know it's that last hurrah and we just want to give our all for him. We always did but now when the finishing line is in sight it adds that extra emphasis.
"It's special and hopefully it's the first of a few we can get this year.
“Of course but being in a similar scenario and understanding how long he's been here, I think he knows he has done everything he can. He has won it all."
“Everyone respects his decision and we understand it. He is on of the wisest men we know and when he says he's ready, he's ready.
"It is what it is, we can't dwell on that, we just have to do him justice.”
Gomez added:
“The gaffer leads us in those moments and he has the mindfulness to say: 'Let's enjoy this moment’.
"And rightly so. The fans are the reason why we do it. Not to speak in cliches but it is the truth.
“We have to enjoy it. We are still in the middle of the season and it's not done but if we don't savour these moments what do we do it for? To do it with the fans is another bit of history I guess.
“It is moments when the gaffer gives us that guidance and says he's proud of us and wants us to give it our all.
"To do it in the way we need to do and carry on. That is the boost from the fans as well. It is evident. Ask the boys, we all get a boost from that massively.”
On the supporters’ influence on the day, Gomez revealed:
"Honestly, I'm not one for cliches but I generally think we have the best in the world.
“When you have a comparison like that, it's a 50-50 stadium and you can see how evident it is how superior our fans are in comparison it's credit to them.
“I hope they realise that and how much it means to us. You see the opposite side (Chelsea) and they need that boost and we just just get that and it helps us so much. That is one thing we are all grateful for.
“We don't want to get ahead of ourselves but we are in every competition and we are going to try to win every game.
"That's the target and we will go again. We have a game again in three days do we'll have to band the boys together and see what we can do.
“I saw the other day he's given the most debuts. It's credit to the gaffer he makes the younger lads come and feel so confident and comfortable to make the impact they made.
“A lot of us have been nurtured by him and he's unbelievable at that. He's such a great manager and creates an environment where the boys can come in and express themselves and that's down to him
“It special for the young boys, they deserve a big mention as they came in for a cup final and all of us feel that [pressure] so they will too. I hope they can enjoy it.”
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