According to Liverpool icon Phil Thompson, Reds boss Jurgen Klopp needs to win a trophy and the Carabao Cup give the German a chance to win his first piece of silverware on Merseyside.
The Reds host Premier League rivals Chelsea at Anfield in the third round of the competition this evening.
For his regular piece on Sky Sports, Thompson wrote, “Jurgen has to win a trophy this year. For the quality of squad he now has, he has to win a trophy.
“It gives him a great opportunity and I would gladly take the Carabao Cup, but you have to look where your priorities lie, which is what most managers do and make changes in these early rounds”
Surely Liverpool have bigger ambitions this season?
As much as I hate to say this, but surely Liverpool has bigger ambitions than just winning the League Cup this season. Some might argue that there are not that many trophies to be won and a trophy in the cabinet would give credence to Klopp’s work.
However, so far this season the Merseysiders have looked strong in the Premier League and of course the only Champions League game they have played so far. If they continue in their current vein, they could win either trophy this season.
Liverpool no longer seem to have old vulnerabilities
In the past few seasons, Liverpool seems to have been defensively vulnerable and in goal. However, the Reds recruitment of Virgil van Dijk and summer signing of Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson Becker seem to have put those issues to bed.
Liverpool have now turned Anfield into a fortress once again. In fact, the Reds have kept clean sheets in ten of their last 12 home games in all competitions, with only Roma and PSG breaching the home defence during that excellent defensive run.
It is not only Van Dijk’s presence that has helped steady the ship, but youngsters Joe Gomez and Trent Alexander-Arnold have also come into the team and produced solid displays, while left-back Andrew Robertson’s reputation is growing by the game.
Unfortunately, at the minute Liverpool do not seem to have many vulnerabilities, which is terrible news for the rest of the Premier League. Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri recently stated that his team needs to reach Liverpool’s level of performance, which is quite a compliment, despite the fact that the Reds have not actually won any trophies in the recent past.
Liverpool favourites to beat Chelsea
Both teams have bigger fish to fry in other competitions this season. Both bosses are likely to field vastly rotated squads in this evening game with a big league clash between the pair at Stamford Bridge this weekend.
Liverpool are favourites to progress to the fourth round at odds of 17/20. I doubt anybody related with either club would be devastated by suffering elimination at this point of the competition.
The two teams have started the season in good fashion and look set to challenge Manchester City for the Premier League title. Liverpool will be eying up the Champions League trophy and Chelsea fancies their chances of adding the Europa League trophy to their cabinet.
The League Cup is definitely bottom of the priority list. For me, Klopp will use the competition to give minutes to fringe players, just like many other Premier League bosses.
The German would not like to admit it, but I am sure he has his sights set on the big trophies and not the much-maligned League Cup.
Does Jurgen Klopp need to win a trophy at Liverpool this season?
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