When the identity of the four Carabao Cup semi-finals became clear in mid-December, it threw up some intriguing storylines.
Three of the quartet are desperate for silverware, so much so that Mikel Arteta has taken to reminding journalists about his two Community Shield "triumphs." Despite Arsenal’s success under the Spaniard, the Gunners are still yet to win a major trophy since it emerged as an elite team.
Tottenham Hotspur has always felt like the runt of the fabled "top-six" litter, a lack of trophies an easy stick for rivals to beat it with. As for Ange Postecoglou, his employment status could depend on Spurs’ Carabao Cup fortunes.
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Eddie Howe has less need to prove himself; he’s done a wonderful job since taking the reins at Newcastle United in late 2021. But the Geordies are desperate to see their side end its 70-year barren spell in terms of silverware. The Magpies have never won the Carabao Cup in their history and suffered another heart-breaking defeat in the final two years ago.
That explains why Wednesday night’s semi-final second-leg result was greeted with such delirium at St James’ Park. A 2-0 win on the night, 4-0 over two legs, against a side that last week finished third in the Champions League and put five past Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.
But Arsenal were blown away by the black-and-white masses. Howe got his tactics perfect, soaking up pressure, breaking quickly on the counter, and leaning into the febrile atmosphere. He must have expected the fans to get behind his side, but even Howe might have been taken aback by how vociferous the support was.
The drums were beating outside the ground hours before the match got under way, while motifs, banners and blaring music all helped create such a pulsating atmosphere - not that the fans needed encouragement. At times, it felt like Arsenal’s 11 were taking on all 50-odd thousand inside the ground, and the outcome was never in doubt.
There was an inevitability about the occasion, that no matter what Arsenal did there was no way those glory-starved supporters in the North East would let the opposition head back to London as cup finalists.
It’s the sort of experience Liverpool’s players might relate to. How often have cup nights at Anfield thrown up imaginable storylines? How often has the Kop sucked in that vital goal against all the odds? How often has the crowd fed off being the plucky underdog status?
Well… that might not be the same on Thursday.
While Arsenal, Tottenham, and Newcastle feel like clubs in desperate need of a trophy, Liverpool can’t quite draw off the same emotions. After all, it is the reigning cup holders and heavy favorites to win the title this season and in with a chance of hoovering up another Champions League success. In comparison, the Carabao Cup could feel a little small at times.
It's a mindset that will inevitably exist among some fans, even if Slot refuses to allow his players to think similarly.
It shouldn’t be overlooked how important the Carabao Cup could be for the Liverpool boss. Dynasties can be launched with this competition - just ask Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola - while Slot will know reaching a cup final could even help maintain momentum in Liverpool’s other trophy chases.
And having put such effort into making it to this stage of the competition it would only take one final push against an injury-plagued Spurs to make it to Wembley.
“Nothing changes for this game compared to others,” was Slot’s pre-match message. “If you wear this shirt, if you go out at Anfield, there is only one thing that is expected of you – and that's winning the game.”
Thursday night, despite its lack of glamour compared to big European games, should not be underestimated.
