More than just a trophy: Tonight’s Carabao Cup final might be Klopp’s last chance for silverware at Liverpool
Mauricio Pochettino has reminded his Chelsea players of the embarrassment they felt coming off the pitch at Anfield a few weeks ago. Liverpool eviscerated them 4-1, which points to one reason Jurgen Klopp’s squad haven’t really dwelt on that victory themselves. They’ve had too much happening. Liverpool are going full steam for four trophies.
This League Cup may well be a first on a few levels, if also an end.
It is at least possible this is the last chance Klopp has of winning a trophy at Liverpool. It might be his last trophy. It could well be a special afternoon, even if it isn’t totally realised on the day.
That points to the typically curious place of the League Cup final in the modern game, all the more so because debate about the calendar is only growing. Even though the four wealthiest clubs have dominated it for the past decade – with Manchester City winning it six times – the constant theme is whether they might be absolved from playing in it.
They’ve always got more on the horizon, not least expanded Fifa competitions, although that’s ironically why the third-ranked English trophy ends up being afforded greater importance than might be expected.
It is always about more than the day. You don’t even have to repeat Brian Clough’s by now well-rehearsed line about how winning any trophy brings more the urge for more trophies. Everyone is aware, particularly Pochettino. This could well be the first trophy of both his and the Clearlake ownership’s time at Stamford Bridge, as well as his own first major
