Chelsea and Liverpool have different reasons for wanting to win the Carabao Cup - which should make for a good final at Wembley.
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The Carabao Cup is, unfairly or otherwise, not the most highly sought after of trophies for the Premier League‘s elite. In some ways, it is easy to understand why – even if downplaying a trophy makes no sense.
The financial gains to be made from finishing higher in the league table means the PL is often prioritised. The FA Cup has the added advantage of being steeped in English football history, which means teams are keen to win it. But one can argue that certain clubs have made strides in neglecting that trophy too.
Plus, if a team is in the Champions League, that too gets higher priority. Again, the rationale is simple – money talks.
By contrast, the League Cup is something of the red-headed step-child of the PL elite. The cup has changed title sponsors regularly, in another sign of its supposed lack of relevancy.
Thus, the irony of an all-PL teams final between Chelsea and Liverpool won’t be lost on many. Yet publicly, both clubs are keen to add the trophy to their respective cabinets.
Why and how is that the case? Liverpool are currently second in the league table; Chelsea sit in third. Both are in the knockouts of the Champions League. Both won the first leg of their Round of 16 matches 2-0.
Yet there are some key reasons why both sides are treating this final with the respect they should.
It’s no secret at this point that, under Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool have reestablished themselves among England’s elite.
A first league win in 30 years, a sixth Champions League and a Club World Cup win have come under the German’s reign. But there’s been one thing that’s missing from all of this – a Wembley moment.
Lifting a trophy in Wembley remains a dream day for football supporters. And it’s one Liverpool have not experienced in a while.
They came close to doing so in 2016, when they contested the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City. But it was Pep Guardiola’s men who ran out winners on penalties after the match ended 1-1.
This came in the infancy of Klopp’s reign, so the loss was not an upsetting one; especially since City were on their way to winning the league that season.
But there is a feeling that things can be different this time. And Klopp himself is keen for that elusive Wembley moment to come their way.
Also read: It’s definitely not going to be a one-sided game, says Virgil van Dijk on Carabao Cup final
“We will try with everything to have a Wembley moment,” were his exact words to The Guardian when asked about this.
It’s worth noting that Klopp has been to Wembley twice; besides the 2016 final, he led his Borussia Dortmund team to the Champions League final in this ground in 2013. They lost that match too, to Bayern Munich.
Klopp will doubtless hope the third time’s a charm for him.
For Chelsea, the cup win would represent history. A win would make them only the third side to have won the tournament six times.
Incidentally, the only two other sides to have accomplished that? Liverpool and Manchester City, both of whom have won the cup 8 times.
It would also be a second bit of silverware for Thomas Tuchel and co. after their Club World Cup win earlier this year. But more than that, it would be a good way to make up for their disappointing PL run.
The summer signing of Romelu Lukaku was expected to propel the Blues to a title fight. However, mounting injuries and a poor run of form – not least from Lukaku – saw that challenge fizzle.
They are still in contention for the Top 4, but would desire more trophies beyond just a two-match Club World Cup.
Chelsea have lifted the trophy thrice in recent memory – they won the finals in 2005, 2007 and 2015. Incidentally, the 2005 final win came during an ill-tempered encounter against Liverpool.
It is unlikely that the two sides will be this hostile this time around, not least because their managers are nowhere near as hostile towards each other.
But that doesn’t mean Tuchel won’t want the win. He’s been in the Chelsea job a little over a year and already won the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and the Club World Cup.
A fourth trophy will not only add to his haul, it will also solidify his standing among the club’s top brass – at a top club, job security can often be fleeting.
Thus, the two clubs have different reasons for wanting to win it – which means the final should be one that is well contested by both sides.
Not bad for a so-called Mickey Mouse trophy.
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