Carabao Cup success can set up ENTIRE Arne Slot era

Arne Slot has already matched one Jurgen Klopp achievement during his first season in charge at Liverpool.

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The new head coach has reached the EFL Cup final at the first attempt, a trophy that Klopp won in his final season at the club.

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But Klopp ALSO reached the EFL Cup final during his first season in charge. That was back in the 2015/16 campaign with the Reds getting past Bournemouth, Southampton and Stoke City en route to the final at Wembley.

Manchester City lay in wait in the final but ultimately Klopp’s side couldn’t get by Manuel Pellegrini and his men. Liverpool lost on penalties with Lucas, Philippe Coutinho and Adam Lallana all missing from the spot.

There was to be more heartache later in the season when Sevilla put the Reds to the sword in the Europa League final.

Along the way in both competitions, the Reds had some fun; a 6-1 win away at Southampton in the League Cup and an unforgettable European comeback against Dortmund in the Europa League quarter-finals.

Arne Slot set for first trophy

The Anfield side couldn’t quite get over the line in the Premier League however, finishing well outside the top four and the Champions League places.

But Klopp showed enough in that first season to suggest rivals sit up and take notice. It would take the side another few seasons to find their trophy-winning groove but by 2022 Klopp had basically won everything there was to win for the club.

He took great care of Liverpool Football Club and left it in the right shape for Arne Slot to take over. And now the Dutchman finds himself at the same stage of the Carabao Cup as Klopp reached back in 2016.

The only difference now is that Liverpool look far better equipped for success than Klopp’s outfit did all those years ago.

Slot has not only reached the EFL Cup final but he’s qualified the team to the last 16 of the Champions League as leaders of the 36-team ‘league phase’. And, more importantly, Liverpool are heading for the Premier League title.

They sit six points clear of Arsenal with a game in hand to come. The Carabao Cup final is a moment to be savoured but it is most certainly a milestone rather than a destination in and of itself.

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Slot has the opportunity to acquire a winning habit in cup finals very quickly for the Reds when they take on Newcastle at Wembley in March. You wouldn’t back against Liverpool winning the title - and making it the first of many under Arne Slot.

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