The Merseysiders are in the running for four trophies again, and while they have fallen short in previous seasons, they look ready this time
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It feels like every February, Liverpool find themselves in the crossfires of 'quadruple' talk. Long gone are the days of the Reds overlooking domestic cup competitions – now they are a team who want it all.
Jurgen Klopp laid the foundation for a whole new wave of success even after his exit. Arne Slot has done such a spectacular job so far that eyebrows will be raised off faces if his men fall short in any competition.
Once more, Liverpool have four trophies in their sights, starting with the defence of their Carabao Cup, the last piece of silverware won by Klopp and potentially the first for Slot. If they are to retain the trophy, they will need to overturn a one-goal deficit against Tottenham in the second leg of their semi-final on Thursday.
They are heavily favoured to do just that, and if they do knock out Spurs, then discourse will come back around to the quadruple. In truth, this is Liverpool's best chance of a clean sweep, as this is the best and most complete side they've assembled in the 21st century.
Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱AFPSetting the standard
It's worth noting that, prior to Klopp's appointment back in 2015, Liverpool's modern cup triumphs were few and far between. After the miracle of Istanbul to win the 2005 Champions League, the Reds won only two trophies for the next decade – the 2006 FA Cup and the 2012 League Cup.
Even when the German rocked up on Merseyside, tangible success took a while to follow. Even despite reaching the 2018 Champions League final and nurturing a young team punching above its weight, questions were asked of Klopp and whether he could deliver glory. Which, you know, seemed utterly ridiculous then, but even more so with the benefit of hindsight.
The 2018-19 campaign proved pivotal to changing that narrative for good. Liverpool would end the season as champions of Europe again, while they recorded the highest-ever Premier League points tally for a team finishing second (97). Their only defeat came away at eventual table-toppers Manchester City, and if that result had been flipped, then Klopp's men would have won the title undefeated and having reached 100 points.
Something special was brewing at Anfield. Over the next five years of Klopp's reign, Liverpool would add six further trophies to their cabinet, and arguably that undersells just how good those teams were.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportPrevious failures
Liverpool first flirted with the quadruple in 2021-22. To this point, Klopp had been accused of showing the domestic cups a lack of respect. In typical fashion for a legend of the game, he shut everyone up by winning both in the same season.
Thomas Tuchel's Chelsea fell twice to the Reds in Wembley finals on penalties, though Liverpool were not so fortunate in their pursuits of the Premier League and Champions League, again losing out to City by a point in the former before falling once more to Real Madrid in the latter.
Klopp's rock-and-roll style meant that for all of Liverpool's attacking brilliance, they were usually exposed going the other way. That Tuchel's Blues lost both cup finals in 2021-22 didn't seem a fair reflection on how well they attacked across over 240 minutes of football, only failing to score due to a string of gaffes and errors in front of goal.
After Klopp announced his plans to step down in January 2024, it appeared to give his squad a new lease of life, despite an extensive injury list combined with an exhausting schedule. When a youthful side ousted Chelsea, at this point now managed by Mauricio Pochettino, in the Carabao Cup final, it seemed for all the world the German's farewell tour would end with multiple trophies.
Alas, Liverpool ran out of steam. Their Premier League title charge fell apart with a run of one win in five through April, while Atalanta dumped them out of the Europa League on their own journey to the trophy. The red half of Merseyside have, meanwhile, done their best to ensure everyone's memories of their FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Manchester United have been wiped in 'Men In Black' style.
Getty Images SportSlot's streetwise side
Slot's crowning achievement to this point is his Liverpool team have taken on a natural evolution from Klopp's final iteration. There has been no transition period, no need to bed in. He's come in, got to work and is likely to reap the rewards for it with silverware.
The differences between the sides of 2023-24 and 2024-25 have been analysed aplenty, but it'll be a whole different proposition once we get to the business end of the season. Theoretically, Slot's Liverpool ought to have the tactical flexibility and consistency needed to take home at least one or two honours, let alone the possibility of going all the way with the quadruple.
There is a methodical-ness about this team that simply couldn't exist in the frantic and frenzied Klopp ones. When manager of Swansea, Carlos Carvalhal proclaimed his tactic to slow down Liverpool was to ensure that their Formula 1 car couldn't speed through traffic. It takes more than a deep block to stump Slot and Co this year.
All three starting midfielders signed in Klopp's final summer transfer window – Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch – have improved this season, each providing the perfect complement for another. There is now much-needed depth all across the pitch. They also aren't completely liable to quick transitions, which was a major hindrance under Klopp. This is before you even factor in what their star man has been doing.
AFPSalah's Ballon d'Or charge
Though Liverpool are more well-rounded as a collective, you can't overlook the leading contributions of Mohamed Salah, the frontrunner for the Ballon d'Or and on course for his most prolific campaign ever. He's added that extra gloss atop an already shining season.
The Egyptian's fierce determination could well be the difference between Liverpool and Premier League title rivals Arsenal, between Liverpool and Champions League contenders Barcelona, between Liverpool and their domestic cup opponents. There hasn't been an African Ballon d'Or winner since 1995 when George Weah took home the Golden Ball, but on this trajectory, Salah will follow in his footsteps.
Salah has also been propelled into 'best Premier League player ever' conversations alongside Thierry Henry and Cristiano Ronaldo. But he'll know that triumphs beyond the title alone is needed to help his cause.
You also get the sense that everyone knows their place in Liverpool's attack. Salah is constantly good value for goals and assists, with Cody Gakpo, Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez and the maligned Federico Chiesa able to fit in around him. It's proven a fine recipe for success.
"We need to get goals from many positions," Slot said of his attackers on Wednesday. "Including them [and] including centre-backs that can score from set-pieces also. So, that's what I just said, we are trying to work on the training ground and with the feedback we give them after the game to make the team better and better and better and in the end, the No.9 should be a facilitator, like a winger, but a winger and a No.9 should also score goals."
