Liverpool’s 2024 Carabao Cup final victory will go down as one of the most momentous triumphs in the career of Jurgen Klopp and it’s a trophy the German has had a special relationship with since first arriving at the club.
The Carabao Cup was Klopp’s first cup final defeat on February 28th 2016, where he led an unrecognisable but hopeful side into Wembley against Manuel Pellegrini’s Manchester City. It was City who would eventually prevail 3-1 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in normal time – Philippe Coutinho equalised for the Reds after Fernandinho’s opener.
The starting 11 that day was as follows: Simon Mignolet; Nathaniel Clyne, Lucas Leiva, Mamadou Sakho, Alberto Moreno, Jordan Henderson, Emre Can, Roberto Firmino; James Milner, Phillippe Coutinho, Daniel Sturridge
Subs: Adam Bogdan, Kolo Toure, Jon Flanagan, Adam Lallana, Joe Allen, Christian Benteke, Divock Origi
Klopp went into the final with an inspired fan base behind him. The supporters were finally seeing excitement build within the club again after years of disappointment in cup campaigns and poor league performances alike.
The German was dealing with a side built by Brendan Rodgers in the previous seasons and he would go on to move on almost every player in this team for his next generation of stars.
Klopp’s progression in the Carabao Cup throughout his nine years is a perfect encapsulation of the effect he has had at Liverpool.
They came into Wembley in 2016 with their first team and came up short against an established Man City outfit. That Reds side may have been lacking in quality, but Klopp had shown signs of progress in just a few months since his appointment.
Now in 2024 that progress is obvious. A side which will forever be dubbed as ‘Klopp’s Kids’ won the trophy against Chelsea’s £1 billion squad. It is so apparent what Klopp has achieved at the club when players who have barely featured in first-team football can go on and win major title.
