Grizz Khan: “Will Slot Be the First to Win Two Trophies in His First Season?” | OneFootball

Will Arne Slot Make It a Double? Liverpool v Newcastle League Cup Preview

Liverpool head into the League Cup Final with both expectation and uncertainty as Arne Slot prepares for his first shot at silverware in English football. The latest Chat G&G podcast, hosted by Gags Tandon and Grizz Khan for Anfield Index, delved into the significance of the final against Newcastle United and the potential for Slot to match an elite managerial record.

Does This Mean More to Newcastle or Liverpool?

A key talking point on the show was the significance of the final for both sides. While Newcastle have not lifted a major domestic trophy since 1955, Liverpool have already added multiple cups to their collection in recent years.

Gags Tandon weighed in: “I think it would mean more to Newcastle if they won it because they haven’t won a trophy for so long.” However, the added context of Slot’s arrival changes the perspective for Liverpool: “For Slot, I think it would mean everything. Winning your first trophy as a manager is always huge.”

Grizz Khan took the debate further, considering how history could be made: “Will he be the first ever manager in the Premier League to win two trophies in his first season? He could very well be.” The discussion then turned to comparisons with José Mourinho, with Gags confirming: “Mourinho won the Carabao Cup in his first season along with the Premier League… Slot can equal that.”

Team Selection: Who Starts in the Final?

One of the main dilemmas for Liverpool heading into the final is squad selection, particularly with Trent Alexander-Arnold unavailable. The panel debated possible solutions at right-back, with Grizz stating: “Quansah came on, did well, did okay… but I don’t think he starts.”

Slot’s mind games in press conferences were also noted, with Gags suggesting: “Is he trying to confuse Howe? The way Slot is saying Curtis could be right-back… or even Tsimikas.” The likelihood, however, is that Liverpool will opt for a more conventional defensive approach.

Photo: IMAGO

In goal, the decision was seen as straightforward. “Apparently Kelleher will start. Love it, fine by me. He saves penalties if we go there,” said Gags, reinforcing the faith in the Irish shot-stopper.

Midfield was another contentious area. Grizz questioned Ryan Gravenberch’s role: “I might even drop Gravenberch… I might play Mac Allister and Dom as the pivots and Curtis as the 10.” However, Gags countered: “Slot ain’t dropping Grav, but he has to. He needs the rest.”

Who Leads the Attack?

With Mohamed Salah likely to start, the question remains about who partners him in attack. Grizz’s verdict was blunt: “Jota has lost all of his confidence completely… and Nunez, for all the huff and puff, has nothing between his ears.”

As for Cody Gakpo, there was intrigue surrounding his condition after a disappointing recent performance. Gags suggested: “I actually feel like Gakpo’s been saving himself for the Cup Final… this is the Gakpo Cup.” Grizz agreed: “I have to start Gakpo, man.”

Liverpool’s front line has struggled for fluidity of late, leading to a wider discussion on their lack of attacking pace. Gags assessed the issue: “Darwin just can’t time anything. He’s offside all the time… and Mo has lost lots of speed.”

Photo: IMAGO

Can Liverpool Get Over the Line?

Liverpool’s ability to handle the pressure of another final was debated in depth. Grizz expressed the potential impact of losing: “If you lose this one after PSG, the daggers come out, the doubt comes in.”

Conversely, Gags outlined what a victory could mean for the club’s mentality: “It sets the tone. Win this and show the rest of the country how good we are.”

The expectation is that Slot will demand a performance worthy of his first final, with Gags summing up the stakes: “Two pots are better than one pot, right? Not many teams in history win two pots in a season.”

As Liverpool prepare to take on Newcastle at Wembley, the verdict from Chat G&G is clear: this is not just about another trophy – it’s about setting the standard for the Arne Slot era.