Just four months at the saddle; Jurgen Klopp could pick his first trophy as the manager of Liverpool if they beat underperforming Manchester City in the final of Capital One Cup at Wembley on Sunday (tomorrow).
Klopp took over from Brendan Rodgers who was sacked last October, and although the Reds are yet to catch up with the rest of the big sides, the coach has been able to reinvigorate a side that lost the confidence that made them launch a spirited title challenge two seasons ago.
Tomorrow’s battle could be a straight fight between Klopp and his City counterparts, Manuel Pellegrini, but the German will be desperate to emulate the Chilean and Jose Mourinho as managers who won something in their first season in charge.
Pellegrini will be replaced in the summer by Pep Guardiola but the Chilean will be desperate to take a pound of flesh from Klopp who inflicted a 4-1 thrashing on his side at the Etihad Stadium in an EPL tie.
Klopp was also in charge of a Dortmund side that eliminated City in the UEFA Champions League in 2013. There is a reason for vengeance.
The German is keen to ‘kill’ this match and Brazilians, Coutinho and Firmino, are going to play a key role.
There are a lot of sub plots in the match though, with James Milner expected to receive a warm reception from City fans while Liverpool fans are likely going to give Raheem Sterling a hostile welcome. There is also not going to be brotherly affections between Liverpool’s Kolo Toure and his Man City brother, Yaya, until after the clash.
Daniel Sturridge also spent the early part of his career at the Etihad and he may prove capable of inflicting pain on his old teammates if he stays fit for the tie.
The German coach will be certainly happy that they are heading to Wembley with a qualification into the next round of Europa Cup following a 1-0 win over Augsburg on Thursday.
Klopp’s ambitions to start a dynasty at Liverpool would be greatly helped by collecting an early piece of silverware and the ‘Normal One’ may not allow the opportunity to pass him by.
