The Carabao Cup produced many unforgettable moments during Klopp’s tenure and could provide Slot an ideal opportunity to begin his time at Anfield.
Jurgen Klopp was beaming with joy after his injury-plagued Liverpool team shocked Chelsea to win last season’s Carabao Cup final. He exclaimed that it was “easily the most special trophy (he’d) ever won.”
Out of context, Klopp’s comments might seem like an emotional response from a manager caught up in the excitement of victory. After all, he has already won the Champions League and Premier League during his impressive tenure at Anfield.
However, considering the remarkable way Liverpool secured the win, particularly with the contributions from several young academy players, his assertion seems more reasonable.
It would be unrealistic to expect such a monumental effort to be repeated this season, especially since it would require a similar level of injury crisis. Still, successfully defending the title would be a fantastic way to begin the Arne Slot era.
For Slot, the Carabao Cup is somewhat unfamiliar. In the Netherlands, there is only one domestic cup—the KNVB Cup, which he won with Feyenoord. He noted last week, “The Premier League has four extra games compared to the Eredivisie and the League Cup. That’s the main difference.”
Although Klopp was overjoyed after the historic victory over Chelsea in February, he hasn’t always been the Carabao Cup’s biggest supporter. He has expressed frustration about the two-legged semi-finals and was once criticized for not prioritizing the competition during his early years at Liverpool.
Winning it twice at Liverpool should dispel any doubts about his commitment, but it’s true that the cup wasn’t always a top priority for him. His tendency to delegate media duties to assistant Pep Lijnders underscores this.
For Slot, the chance to secure a trophy before spring arrives is appealing. While the competition may be seen as the fourth most prestigious in English football, Liverpool’s historical connection to the League Cup makes it a significant prize for many supporters.
Liverpool has won the cup a record 10 times, more than any other club, creating countless memorable moments—from their penalty shootout victory in the treble-winning 2000/01 season to the memorable performances of the ‘Kop Kids’ earlier this year.
“It’s very important because it’s the next game, and that’s always the most crucial,” Slot said on Tuesday. “I’m aware of this club’s history, what happened last year, and how special it is to win a cup.
“We’re still far from that, as it’s only the first game and many more to play, and we face a tough challenge against West Ham, though thankfully at home. It’s a match to anticipate, and, as always, the next game is vital.”
He continued, “Winning trophies excites not just the fans, but also the players and managers. We all want to win, but right now we need to focus on our first match in this tournament tomorrow.
West Ham United at home will be tough, but winning something is always rewarding. I recognize the club’s history and their recent victory last season, especially with so many young players involved in the final.
“As the holders of the trophy, we understand our responsibility to protect that status—though perhaps that’s not the perfect term. Still, we’re committed to giving our all to win it again.”
Slot’s determination to defend Liverpool’s title will be clearer once the team news is released on Wednesday night. He is likely to rotate players to give some squad members much-needed minutes, but he knows there’s still an expectation for the Reds to advance to the fourth round.
Winning the Carabao Cup as a new manager doesn’t guarantee long-term success—just look at Erik ten Hag, who, despite winning two domestic trophies, hasn’t fully convinced Manchester United fans.
However, for Slot, the competition is an opportunity to contribute to Liverpool’s storied legacy and set a positive tone for his time at Anfield.
