Fast forward to 2015 and much has changed across the landscape of English football, not least the competition and its ever-changing sponsors.
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“Beating some of the best teams definitely gives us the confidence that we can go all the way”.
“I’m not sure it will be good to see the fans, they booed Adam Lallana and Dejan Lovren [in previous encounters], so hopefully they’ll get the stick”.
Southampton and Liverpool meet in the Capital One Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday.
All of which leads me to a quite predictable conclusion – this will be close, just like the Premier League game at Anfield which was goalless with 15 minutes remaining and ended 1-1, a scoreline which the travelling contingent have grown used to. Had Crystal Palace come through, they would have met Liverpool in the final.
Even more so in the specific case of Liverpool.
Both the England right-back and Germany midfielder have picked up four bookings this season and one more yellow card will result in a one-match suspension.
Koeman’s side have lost their last two league games but he thinks Wednesday’s clash with Liverpool is the ideal opportunity to get back to winning ways.
The likes of Sadio Mane, Graziano Pelle and Victor Wanyama have all been linked with moves elsewhere, but Koeman, who is halfway through his three-year contract at Southampton, has hinted that the club’s policy of selling their biggest names might start to annoy him.
The Reds climbed into the top 6 of the Premier League with a 1-0 win over Swansea last time out in what was a closely fought contest and we could be set for a similar match tonight.
Klopp will be looking to claim a historic first cup success away against the Saints at the first attempt.
At the same time, a trophy for Klopp – so early on in his tenure – would lift a massive weight off of the manager’s shoulders. But if nothing happens from now, they will be in the squad.
While understandable, squad rotation could prove risky against a home team with a point to prove after their recent defeats, and who have scored eight goals in two Capital One Cup games so far this season.
The Hungarian shot-stopper has made two appearances for the Reds, in League Cup ties against Carlisle United and Bournemouth, at Anfield, but is sceptical over whether will be handed a start against Southampton at St. Mary’s tomorrow.
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Adding to that a quick glance at the teams remaining in the competition and it’s fair to say Liverpool are amongst the favourites – and the best teams – left. It’s a hard game against Southampton, but to win cups is a cool thing!
