Liverpool’s hopes of recording a remarkable quadruple came to an end at Old Trafford in one of the FA Cup matches of recent seasons.
Jurgen Klopp’s side led 3-2 with 8 minutes remaining in extra time, but Manchester United booked their place in the semi-finals by scoring the winner in the 120th minute.
The defeat leaves Liverpool, who have already won the EFL Cup, with two more trophies up for grabs this season; the Premier League and the Europa League. How many trophies will they win this season?
Ahead of the FA Cup quarter-finals at Old Trafford, Liverpool were confident of being the first English team to win the quadruple.
Despite the loss, the Reds have a lot to play for. They are joint leaders of the Premier League with Arsenal and qualify for the round of 16 of the Europa League.
The break comes at just the right time for Klopp’s side, who can recharge their batteries and go on the attack in their two remaining competitions.
Liverpool have only won the title once in the Premier League era. That good luck came in the coronavirus-affected 2019/20 season, so club supporters will be desperate to see their side lift the trophy at a packed Anfield.
The Reds are joint leaders of the Premier League with Arsenal, who have a higher goal difference after 28 games played.
Former Liverpool centre-back Phil Babb spoke exclusively to Gambling. com ahead of the recent EFL Cup triumph about what the fairytale ending would be for Klopp: “I think the Premier League. I think after last season it was difficult, to rebuild this summer, to get rid of five key players, to rebuild that midfield.
“I think it would be an achievement if I could (win the Premier League), given the quality of Manchester City and the power of Arsenal.
“If I could bring home just one, it would be the Premier League. “
The Reds have closed in on City going forward and are lately one point adrift of rivals Manchester at the top of the league with 10 games remaining.
Liverpool have only lost twice in the league this season. Both defeats came away from home, as Klopp’s side have lost at Anfield in the league since October 2022: a 2-1 defeat to Leeds.
With the League Cup already won, the maximum probably doubled in the eyes of the bookmakers is the Premier League and the EFL Cup, a combination that is valued at 2/1.
Liverpool remain favourites to win the Europa League this season, after an impressive organisational level and an emphatic 11-2 win over Sparta Prague in the 16-year-old Europa League.
The quarter-final draw favours Liverpool, with Atalanta placing themselves among the Reds and a place in the semi-finals.
If they manage to do so, they will face either Benfica or Marseille for a place in the final in Dublin on Wednesday, May 22.
Babb admitted: “I think we’re the bookmakers’ favourites for the Europa League, and to have that final in Dublin would be fantastic, so it’s a final I’m looking forward to reaching.
Leverkusen faced West Ham in the quarter-finals, and then would face either AC Milan or Roma in a imaginable semi-final.
No one will need to face Klopp’s men in the Europa League and if that doesn’t distract, Liverpool will be hard to beat.
Some coaches in the more sensible groups in the Premier League prefer the EFL Cup to the FA Cup.
This is largely because most of the tournament ends in January and the final will take place in late February or early March.
Liverpool are the most successful club in the history of this festival and their latest triumph has seen them surpass the numbers.
So instead of a quadruple, Liverpool have a hat-trick to play for. A number of injured players are expected to be fit to return after the international break to boost their chances.
Could Liverpool complete the season by adding the Europa League and the Premier League?
Babb said: “I mean, everybody is winnable, that’s the problem. If you look at who’s competing, why can’t we do that?”