Liverpool defeated domestic rivals Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-final to ensure that their quadruple charge is officially on.
The two Premier League teams visited the Wembley stadium last week to decide who will play the FA Cup final. A dominating first-half by Jurgen Klopp’s men put the City second-string team to bed. Liverpool beat them 3-2, thanks to a brace by striker Sadio Mane, and a header in the opening stages of the game by defender Ibrahima Konate.
However, the Manchester Club wasn’t ready to give up, as they came out all guns blazing to make it difficult for Liverpool. A goal each by winger Jack Grealish and midfielder Bernardo Silva meant that Liverpool had to hold on, and hold on they did.
The Quadruple
The quadruple is a feat never achieved by any Premier League club. It consists of winning the Premier League, the UEFA Champions League, the FA Cup, and the Carabao Cup. Three out of four trophies are domestic, with the Champions League being the European prize.
With three more chances to lift silverware, history could be made. If the Red manage all four, they would become the first men’s team in England to win the three major domestic trophies plus the European crown.
Image credit: liverpoolfc.com
UEFA Champions League
Liverpool overcame Benfica (Portugal) in the Champions League 6-4 on aggregate. They will now play Sevilla (Spain) in the semi-final. The Spanish club trounced Juventus (Italy) and Bayern Munich (Germany) on their way to the semis.
Klopp’s men started the tournament by winning all six of their group-stage matches. Moreover, the group was known as the group of death. Those victories came at home and away against AC Milan (Italy), Porto (Portugal) and Atletico Madrid (Spain).
Afterwards, the Reds trounced Inter Milan (Italy) in the Round of 16. A commendable 2-0 away victory in the first leg was enough to see them through. The second leg at home was tough, as Milan managed to get a rare victory at Anfield 1-0. However, Liverpool won 2-1 on aggregate.
Carabao Cup
Liverpool’s first trophy of the season came on Feb. 27 in the Carabao Cup final. The Reds needed penalties to get past Chelsea at Wembley. An epic shootout that ended with goalkeepers taking the shots. Moreover, This victory brought Liverpool their ninth Carabao Cup trophy.
The match finished 0-0 in extra-time, with Chelsea missing two great chances courtesy of Midfielder Mason Mount. Both teams had a goal disallowed thanks to VAR.
Image Credit: teamtalk.com
Fa Cup
Liverpool and Chelsea will meet again at Wembley on May 14, but this time for the FA Cup final. The Merseyside club eased through their way thanks to three straight home matches in the Third and Fourth round. They knocked off Shrewsbury Town (4-1), Cardiff City (3-1) and Norwich City (2-1) at Anfield. Nottingham Forrest was their away game afterwards, winning 1-0.
Klopp’s men won their last FA Cup in 2006, and made it to the final in 2012. However, Chelsea will be a tough match for them as they look to get hands on some silverware to end their season.
Premier League
Manchester City’s slip up has meant that Liverpool are only one point from first place. The Merseyside club is in hot form after recently smashing Manchester United 4-0 at Anfield. Even though City has been struggling recently, they continue to sit on top after defeating Brighton and Hove Albion one day after their neighbours fell prey to the Merseyside club.
The blue side of Manchester is at a slight advantage due to having ‘easier’ fixture on paper in comparison to their counterpart. The two clubs will continue to go back and fourth until somebody makes a blunder.
The April 10 match up between City and Liverpool was supposed to give a good idea of how things may pan out in the final title run in. The game finished 2-2, perfectly poised for both clubs whose destinies are in their own hands.
Published by: HOLR Magazine.