Slot not surprised to see Liverpool in quadruple contention

Arne Slot is not surprised to see Liverpool mark themselves out as contenders for the quadruple in his first season, ahead of their EFL Cup quarter-final against Southampton.

Liverpool have only lost one of their 23 games under Slot across all competitions, going down to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League in September. They have won 19 and drawn three, giving them an 82.6% win ratio under the Dutchman.

The Reds are two points clear of Chelsea at the Premier League summit with a game in hand and are the only team with a perfect record in the Champions League after six matchdays.

On Wednesday, they visit managerless Southampton – who sacked Russell Martin after losing 5-0 to Tottenham on Sunday – with a place in the EFL Cup semi-finals in their sights.

Liverpool were tipped for a quadruple under Jurgen Klopp last season yet only won the EFL Cup, but Slot is not shocked to see them competing on every front again.

“This happened last season when this club won this competition,” Slot said at Tuesday’s pre-match press conference.

“So I am not surprised with the quality we have that we are competing at this moment for these three trophies, and the fourth one [the FA Cup] is starting in January.”

Cody at the double in the @Carabao_Cup pic.twitter.com/vgGEaHVNLi

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 17, 2024

The EFL Cup holders have reached the quarter-finals of the subsequent edition on 22 previous occasions and have progressed from 18 of those ties, with only Norwich City (1962-63), Chelsea (1998-99) and Manchester United (2010-11 and 2017-18) going out.

It is the first time Liverpool have got to this stage as holders since they won the competition in four successive seasons between 1980-81 and 1983-84.

Slot will not be on the touchline on Wednesday after receiving his third yellow card of the season in Saturday’s draw with Fulham, but he does not expect his one-match suspension to have a major impact.

“If you are suspended in Holland you’re not allowed to be in and around the dressing room or do media. This is a lighter version of a suspension,” Slot told reporters.

“I’d say I’m used to it but this is the first time I am suspended. I’m still able to do the things I want to do.

“The least impact you have on your team is during the 45 minutes and the most is during half-time and before the game.

“The ideal situation is I would be on the sidelines but I got a yellow, which I probably deserved as well, so yes, this happens.”

Save after save after save.

Take a bow, Caoimhin Kelleher pic.twitter.com/Hjq9gXh4lK

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) February 26, 2024

Slot will likely reinstall Caoimhin Kelleher, the hero of Liverpool’s 2023-24 EFL Cup triumph, between the sticks after Alisson returned from a lengthy injury lay-off last week.

“I agree with you that it’s one of the most difficult jobs in football if the first goalkeeper is always available, because then you work for the whole season and you hardly ever have the chance to play,” Slot said of Kelleher.

“He, unfortunately for us but good for him, has already made quite a lot of minutes. I think he can look back at the first half of the season for himself as positive.

“We are really fortunate to have such a great second goalkeeper, that if we need him he is able to do as well as he did.”