The Liverpool quadruple bid - can they win all four?
- Dave Tindall
- 16 February 2022
One trophy down, three to go. Liverpool are closing in on an amazing quadruple this season, and Manchester City can feel the Reds breathing down their neck in the Premier League title race.
Liverpool fans will be hoping that their dramatic 11-10 penalty shootout victory over Chelsea can be just the start of a magical season for Jurgen Klopp's side.
While the German boss has guided the Reds to Premier League and Champions League glory, his team selections have suggested that the FA Cup and League Cup were always a bit of an afterthought, but this season is a different story.
With a stronger and deeper squad with fewer injuries, Klopp's side have been much improved and after capturing the Carabao Cup he's now looking to improve his record in the FA Cup.
Liverpool's recent record in the FA Cup is particularly underwhelming. Klopp has had six cracks at it and never gone beyond the last 16, with the Merseysiders crashing out in round four (last 32) four times.
After Liverpool enjoyed a winning return to Wembley, could this be the start of a trophy-laden season for the Reds? Planet Sport weighs up their chances of silverware.
The League Cup
After beating Leicester on penalties in the last eight thanks to a dramatic 3-3 draw at Anfield, Liverpool then beat Arsenal after a delay due to a Covid-19 outbreak, but nothing could compare to the drama on show in the final at Wembley.
Newly-crowned Club World Cup champions Chelsea made the final after the Blues came past Aston Villa (penalties), Southampton (penalties), Brentford (2-0) and Tottenham (3-0 on aggregate in the semis).
After Klopp and Thomas Tuchel couldn't be split in the two league meetings this season, it was no real surprise that the game went the distance, although how it managed to remain goalless is a mystery.
After losing his first three cup finals as Liverpool boss, Klopp has now won his last three by adding the League Cup to the Champions League and Club World Cup. It's four if you include the Super Cup, which was also decided on penalties against Chelsea.
The Premier League
Second-placed Liverpool have been given just a glimmer of hope in the title race with Man City's recent defeat against Tottenham enabling the Reds to close to within six points with a game in hand.
Pep Guardiola's men had been on a different planet and the title looked done and dusted, but they've had just the hint of a wobble and have needed decisions and late goals to go their way of late.
City had a controversial win at Arsenal, edged Chelsea before pinching a point at Southampton and losing to Tottenham in dramatic fashion after it looked like they'd saved the game with a stoppage time penalty.
A massive win at Everton came after a hugely controversial decision went their way, but they'll need to improve on that to keep ahead of a Liverpool side who have won six on the spin in the league, have a game in hand and are still to travel to the Etihad.
Should they win that April 9 clash, in theory they could go top if they win their game in hand as Liverpool's 6-0 thrashing of Leeds saw them grab what could be a crucial goal difference advantage over City.
Let's not kids ourselves though. To reel in City would be a massive ask and a second Premier League title in three years still looks like an outside chance, but they've at least got a sniff after recent weeks and could make a real battle of it.
Chances out of 10: Four
The FA Cup
It's now 16 years since Steven Gerrard broke West Ham hearts with his stunning two-goal display in the 2006 FA Cup final.
What's more, they've been handed another very winnable home tie in round five, with Norwich the visitors to Anfield on March 2.
The only negative could be if the players struggle with the come down after winning at Wembley just three days before this tie.
If the form works out, they'll be joined there by Manchester City, Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham and West Ham.
Chances out of 10: Four
The Champions League
And how about their record in this season's tournament! Liverpool were supposedly put in the hardest group after being drawn against Atletico Madrid, AC Milan and Porto and yet made more history by scoring a maximum 18 points from their six games.
That franked the belief that the six-time champions are huge contenders as they attempt to lift 'Ol' Big Ears' for a seventh time.
The draw for the last 16 has pitted them against Inter, a team they swept aside 3-0 on aggregate under Rafa Benitez in the 2007/08 campaign.
Liverpool had already won in the San Siro this season after beating Inter's local rivals AC Milan, and did the double with a superb performance in a 2-0 victory setting them up nicely to try and see off the Italians in the second leg at Anfield.
Will Reds fans need to pencil 'May 28, Paris' into their diaries? Another final appearance is certainly achievable.
Chances out of 10: Four
Conclusion
This could be a memorable season for Liverpool, and getting that first trophy under their belts early could be a massive boost - as it has been previously for Man City.
Winning the League Cup final, against Chelsea, in the manner that they did will generate a huge amount of confidence and belief and could easily spark a chain reaction for more trophies to follow.
Manchester City have failed to pull further clear in the Premier League but they'll still be tough to catch and the title looks the outsider of the three remaining trophies for Liverpool to pocket.
The great thing for the Reds, though, is that they have one trophy in the bank already, have a reasonably fit squad at the moment and have three genuine cracks at further glory. Draws will play a part in the FA Cup and Champions League but nobody would be surprised if they won one of those, while the Premier League would be the crowning glory even if it is still just a slim chance at present.
