Liverpool Trophy “Tsunami” With Slots Is About To Start

LIVERPOOL, FRIDAY – In just 25 days, Liverpool has the opportunity to win their first trophy in the era of Coach Arne Slot. "The Reds" will challenge Newcastle United in the English League Cup final on March 17th, at Wembley Stadium. A title from this domestic tournament will mark the beginning of a trophy-laden period under Slot.

Liverpool's step into the first final of the 2024-2025 season was confirmed through a 4-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the second leg of the semifinal at Anfield Stadium, Friday (February 7, 2025). Cody Gakpo (34th minute), Mohamed Salah (51’), Dominik Szoboszlai (75’), and Virgil van Dijk (80’) contributed to Liverpool's winning goals.

The Reds defeated Spurs with an aggregate score of 4-1. In the final, Liverpool will face Newcastle, who overcame Arsenal with consecutive 2-0 victories in the two semifinal matches.

The League Cup final will be the second meeting between Liverpool and Newcastle in a title fight. Liverpool won their first trophy fight over Newcastle in the 1973-74 FA Cup final. Liverpool's certainty of lifting the second FA Cup trophy was scored through a Kevin Keegan brace and a goal from Steve Heighway.

The record of that meeting and the performance trends this season make Liverpool more favored to win the English League Cup trophy. Liverpool is currently leading the English Premier League standings, and they finished the initial phase of the new Champions League format in first place.

Playing at Wembley will feel special if we win something. We know how difficult the final match will be because Newcastle is an impressive team.

A strong indication that Liverpool can retain the English League Cup trophy is their good fortune in the competition. The Reds are the "kings" of the English League Cup with a collection of 10 titles. Two of the last three editions were won by Liverpool by defeating Chelsea.

Slot is eager to make his debut at the iconic Wembley Stadium. However, he forbids his squad from becoming arrogant and complacent because they are favored to win over "The Magpies," the nickname for Newcastle.

"Playing at Wembley will feel special if we win something. We know how difficult the final match will be because Newcastle is an impressive team," said Slot as reported on the club's website.

Furthermore, the Dutch tactician said that all his players always showed strong will in training sessions to continue to improve themselves. He emphasized that the hard work was aimed at winning the title.

"We always come to training every day, we try to improve the team. Players always try hard to improve themselves. But, in the end, it's about getting to the final and winning trophies," said Slot, who has led Feyenoord to two domestic trophies.

Various individual improvements have been the backbone of Liverpool's brilliant performance this season. Gakpo, for example, has scored 16 goals entering February. That number is already equal to his collection of goals during the 2023-2024 campaign.

Szoboszlai has also contributed five goals. That quantity is only two goals less than his collection in his first season at Anfield. For the record of five assists, the Hungarian player has surpassed last season's achievement (four assists).

Salah's big role ahead of his current contract is also not forgotten. No player has contributed more than 40 goals in Europe's top leagues, other than the "Egyptian King". Salah has produced 25 goals and 18 assists which will be the catalyst for Liverpool's multi-trophy achievements this season.

Although less prestigious than the Premier League and FA Cup, the League Cup is often considered the starting point for a manager's success in England. Four of the 11 managers who have won the Premier League trophy began their dominance in the League Cup.

They are Alex Ferguson, Jose Mourinho, Manuel Pellegrini, and Pep Guardiola. Mourinho, for example, started his glory in the 2004-2005 English League Cup or two decades ago which began six championship wins for Chelsea's golden period.

Likewise, Guardiola has presented 18 trophies for Manchester City. Guardiola's supremacy in England began with the 2017-2018 English League Cup title.

The two coaches who wrote history in England managed to marry the League Cup trophy with the Premier League in the same season. The achievement of the double title was like the key to open the "Pandora's box" to win more trophies.

Mourinho also acknowledged the English League Cup title as the beginning of his success in his first period handling Chelsea. "If there is a secret (to success with Chelsea), it is that we always take everything seriously," Mourinho was quoted as saying by the BBC.

Slot acknowledges that the EFL Cup does not have the same prestige as the FA Cup, but he stresses that it is still a must-win tournament.

"The League Cup is still a competition and a trophy to win. It was the only trophy we won last season. To win this competition, we have to overcome every challenge," Slot said.

Jamie Redknapp, a former Liverpool midfielder, believes Liverpool have a chance to win four trophies this season. If they can present the quartet of championship titles, according to Redknapp, Slot can erase the shadow and surpass his predecessor, Juergen Klopp. At Liverpool, Klopp had given a double title in the 2021-2022 season, namely the League Cup and the FA Cup.

In addition to the League Cup, the Reds are on course to become Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup title contenders. Liverpool's path to the fifth round of the FA Cup is wide open, as they will face bottom-of-the-Championship Plymouth Argyle on Sunday (9/2/2025).

"Liverpool are the best team in the world at the moment. Can they capitalise on their position and win four trophies? I don't think they've ever had a better chance than this season," Redknapp told Sky Sports.