The Liverpool quadruple bid - can they win all four?

Dave Tindall
16 February 2022

Liverpool celebrate winning the Carabao Cup final

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.

It was a thrilling and absorbing Carabao Cup final at Wembley on Sunday, and with a little bit of luck Liverpool grabbed the first domestic silverware of the season.

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 latest final was as good a 0-0 draw as you'll ever see, and even the penalties went the full distance with all 11 Liverpool players, including goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, scoring their spot-kicks.

Chelsea matched them with 10 flawless penalties before substitute keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, who was brought on by Tuchel just for the shootout, blazed his effort miles over the bar - after getting nowhere near the 11 Liverpool pens.

It was dramatic, a bit fortunate, but it's a trophy for Liverpool, but how many will they add over the rest of the season?

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.

Liverpool have made the final just once since then - losing 2-1 to Chelsea in 2012 - while they've fallen before round six (last eight) in nine of the last 10 seasons.

It's by far the worst record of the elite English clubs over the last two decades so can they change the script this time?

The draw has certainly been good to them so far and Klopp was able to utilise squad members to achieve home wins over League One Shrewsbury (4-1) and Championship outfit Cardiff (3-1).

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.

Liverpool have won 10 and drawn one of their last 11 games against Norwich, who currently lie in the relegation zone, so this is a golden chance to make the last eight.

If the form works out, they'll be joined there by Manchester City, Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham and West Ham.

But, apart from City and maybe Chelsea, Liverpool would fancy themselves to turn any other quarter-final opponent over.

And with Klopp sniffing another Wembley final, surely he'd go into bat with all his star players.

Chances out of 10: Four

The Champions League

Beaten finalists in 2018, winners in 2019 and quarter-finalists in 2021 when depleted by injury, Klopp has more than maintained Liverpool's proud record in Europe's elite club competition.

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.

As with the FA Cup, the draw will be a big factor if Liverpool progress but most rival teams will fear the Reds more than they fear them.

Champions League nights at Anfield remain the stuff of legend and that positive weight of history often tilts the balance in Liverpool's favour.

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.

Liverpool will need more Man City slip-ups to win the title again, but they'll chase them home all the way, and even though winning all four is likely beyond the realm of fantasy, they've still got a golden chance to make the 2021/22 campaign one to remember.