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The Capital One Cup may be the least glamorous domestic trophy in English football, but it was quite likely the best chance for silverware this term for Liverpool and Manchester City. Liverpool are off the pace in the League, and an arduous Europa League campaign apart, this was Jurgen Klopp’s best chance of giving fans some much needed joy in what is to be long rebuild operation.Pellegrini on the other hand is confirmed to leave City at the end of the season, and the veteran Chilean seeing his side wilt to the fourth spot in the League would hope to deliver at least one more trophy before he is replaced by Pep Guardiola. Manchester City had the lion’s share of chances, but it was a little luck and some great goalkeeping from both keepers to keep it 1-1 till the end of 90 minutes. Mignolet again conceded a howler but made amends with good saves, but he was far outshone by his opposite number Caballero who was brilliant all match and stopped three penalties in the shootout to hand City the title.
#1 Goalkeepers shine under the arch
The iconic Wembley stadium set the stage for the Capital One Cup final, and the two players in focus are Willy Caballero and Simon Mignolet.
The former, though being the designated cup keeper, resisted calls from the fans prior to the game who wanted Joe Hart to start. But Caballero has had a long relationship with Pellegrini, who has continuously reposed his faith in him. Today, it all paid off as Caballero put in an absolute world-class performance to hand Pellegrini a trophy in his final season, City’s second Capital One Cup in three seasons.
On the other hand though, it seemed to be much the familiar story from Simon Mignolet, who having produced a wonderful save before, conceded to Fernandinho to hand City the initiative. However, he redeemed himself by making vital saves to ensure that Liverpool had a fighting chance. Sadly, he was far outshone by Caballero in the penalty shoot-out.
Caballero may have secured his place as City’s second goalkeeper for Pep’s reign by this performance, but Klopp may still focus on acquiring a goalkeeper in the summer transfer window.
#2 Poor finishing complements great goalkeeping in an exciting game
The only major chance of the first half saw Aguero’s shot tipped onto the post by Mignolet, who somehow contrived to let slip City’s opener in the 49th minute. Pellegrini’s men dictated play, and looked dangerously close to sealing a victory throughout the match.
Both sides had penalty appeals which involved Alberto Moreno turned down. Liverpool scored through their first shot on target by Coutinho with 7 minutes of regulation time to go, and that sent City into a frenzy as they went on to apply constant pressure, but could not find the decisive goal.
Aguero and Origi really should have won the game for their respective teams in extra time, but instead the goalkeepers stepped up to send the tie to penalties.
Liverpool’s spot kick-takers flattered to deceive, and Cabellero carried on his imperious form to make three saves. Yaya Toure, another seemingly on the way out with Pellegrini, sealed the match with his penalty to make it 3-1 on penalties, sending his teammates into raptures.
#3 Pellegrini all smiles as Klopps cup hoodoo continues
Both these managers would have dearly liked the silverware on offer. With Leicester and Tottenham firing on all cylinders, City’s title tilt seems to have faded. Pellegrini fielded a second-string side against Chelsea with an eye on the trip to Kiev in the Champions League, which resulted in City bowing out after a 5-1 hammering by Guus Hiddink’s men.
Klopp only just took over in midway this season, and unlike Pellegrini, who was confirmed to leave the club and be replaced by Pep Guardiola next season, Klopp has many years to spend at Anfield. His squad is alright and they have taken to their new manager and tried to commit to his philosophy and how he thinks the game should be played. However, today was the best chance to mark his arrival by giving the Kop at least something to smile about this season.
Pellegrini with this win delivers a trophy, but surprisingly he finds himself without a job for next season. Klopp on the other hand has lost four consecutive finals as a manager including the Champions League final defeat to Bayern. Liverpool have only won one major trophy since 2006, coincidentally the Capital One Cup in 2012, which they won on penalties.
#4 Pellegrini can write his name in City history by challenging for UCL
The sheer professionalism and humility with which Pellegrini accepted the arrival of Pep Guardiola before the season was even over deserves to be applauded. Mind you, he is no upstart manager, and his signature will surely be sought once he is free of his duties as City boss this summer.
He is undoubtedly up there with Roberto Mancini as City’s two managers when they announced themselves domestically and on the continent. However, it seems likely that he will have to settle for fourth place in the League this term. There is however, a silver lining in this.
City’s owners, much like PSG’s, have always dreamt of UCL glory, and Pep Guardiola’s arrival is only a culmination of wholesale efforts to emulate the Barcelona model. However, City may not have to wait that long to taste glory.
They are almost through to the quarterfinals, and with the likes of Real Madrid being inconsistent and Bayern and Juve suffering from injuries, Pellegrini’s men could realistically try to reach the semi-final stage. They have undoubtedly been boosted by the return of Kompany and Navas, and the impending returns of de Bruyne and Nasri should give them the armour to go a long distance in the UCL.
#5 Liverpool must focus on the Europa League
Liverpool are languishing in 9th in the EPL, but have a chance to go to 7th should they win their postponed fixture against Everton. They may yet sneak into a Europa League spot, but have to compete with the likes of Manchester United, West Ham and Southampton, all of whom are in very good form.
Thus, it would seem to make sense for Klopp to push for the Europa League, win a major title in his first season, and see his team return to the Champions League. However, there is the small matter of a first ever European encounter with arch-enemies Manchester United in the last 16, who themselves will eye this route to return to the UCL.
However, Klopp’s squad needs a lot of change, and you can argue that he would be better off without European commitments next season. But the chance is there for the taking, and Liverpool’s season is far from over yet.
