How Much Does the Carabao Cup Really Matter to Liverpool’s Season | OneFootball

How Important is the Carabao Cup Final for Liverpool?

As Liverpool prepare to face Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final, the Big Decisions podcast on Anfield Index saw Davis Davis and Trev Downey dissect the significance of the fixture. While some fans see the opportunity for silverware as vital, others view it as little more than a distraction from the club’s ultimate goal—securing the Premier League title.

Divided Opinions on the Carabao Cup’s Importance

Downey didn’t hold back in expressing his indifference towards the competition, making it clear that his focus remains firmly on the Premier League. “When I’m watching my team go out of the Champions League, I’m watching my team go out of the trophy that means most to me in the world,” he said. For him, the domestic cups no longer hold the same significance. “The Carabao Cup is just this little consolation prize,” he added, highlighting how priorities have shifted over time.

That being said, he acknowledged the value of silverware, particularly for Arne Slot as he settles into his first season at Liverpool. “For Arne Slot, starting his career at Anfield, a bit of silver in his hand would be great,” he admitted, though his overall sentiment remained the same: “All I care about is this league.”

Davis, on the other hand, took a more balanced view. “I’m off to Wembley on Sunday, and I’m massively looking forward to it. They are brilliant days out,” he said, while also admitting that he would “trade it all to win a Champions League.”

A Trophy That Splits the Fanbase

One of the key points raised was how divisive the Carabao Cup is among Liverpool supporters. Davis noted that “it either seems to be loved, or people just don’t care.” Downey backed this up by recalling the 2003 final win over Manchester United: “The minute the whistle went, my excitement was tempered by the fact that I knew I’d be listening to Manchester United fans going, ‘That’s a Mickey Mouse trophy.’”

There’s no denying that this competition sits behind the Premier League and Champions League in terms of prestige. But as Downey pointed out, there was a time when it carried greater significance. “In 2001, that trophy was part of a treble, and that was hugely important—massively exciting to me. It felt like we were getting our club back.”

Potential Risks and Bigger Priorities

Beyond the debate over how much the trophy matters, Downey raised another concern—the risk of injuries at a crucial stage of the season. “I know that I will be watching that game like a miserable bastard going, ‘Please don’t get anyone hurt.’”

Davis agreed that while winning the Carabao Cup would be a great moment for Slot, it ultimately ranks far behind the bigger objectives. “You can have priorities—you can want to win a Carabao Cup—but it can come 100 yards behind the biggest two that we’re looking for.”

One listener comment, read out on the podcast, summarised the general feeling well: “If we are doing so well in the league, the League Cup final will be bigger as it’s Slot’s first season, but we have bigger fish to fry.”

A Step Towards a Successful Season?

While Downey might not be losing sleep over the Carabao Cup final, there’s no denying that it presents Liverpool with an early opportunity to lift silverware under their new manager. For Slot, getting a first trophy on the board would be significant—both in establishing his credentials and setting a winning tone for the rest of the campaign.

However, for many fans, the bigger picture is clear. Winning the Premier League is the priority, and anything that risks derailing that mission—including potential injuries in a domestic cup final—will always be met with hesitation.

One thing is for certain: when Liverpool step onto the pitch at Wembley, every fan—regardless of how they rank the Carabao Cup—will be hoping for victory. The only question is how much it really matters in the grand scheme of the season.