As we approach the festive period, and the festive frenzy it brings, we begin to get a good idea of which teams look genuine candidates for the season’s available silverware. In the case of Liverpool, the Reds are real contenders for all competitions they are involved in. Only the most extremely optimistic fans will be harbouring thoughts of a quadruple but even those with their feet more firmly on the ground would back Jurgen Klopp’s men for at least one trophy.
Under Klopp, the Reds’ faithful have become accustomed to success. Since the German took over in 2015, the club has picked up a Premier League, an FA Cup, a League Cup and a Champions League title. Near misses have been something of a regular feature too though with the Merseysiders finishing runners-up in the 2015/16 Europa League, the Champions League in 2017/18 and 2021/22, the Premier League in 2018/19 and 2021/22, and the 2015/16 League Cup.
Will there be any more runner-up finishes in 2023/24 or will Liverpool be able to add even more silverware to their trophy cabinet? To try and tackle this question, we will at the four major competitions the Reds are still involved in and weigh up their chances of success for each.
Odds Overview
Here are the bookmaker odds for Liverpool’s chance of success across the League Cup, the Europa League, the Premier League and the FA Cup.
| Competition | Early December Odds |
|---|---|
| League Cup | 2/1 |
| Europa League | 5/2 |
| Premier League | 9/2 |
| FA Cup | 12/1 |
Based on these odds, the chances of Liverpool managing a quadruple work out at a huge 750/1! The club does have a history of winning multiple trophies in one season though having completed the domestic cup double in 2021/22 and an unprecedented domestic cup and UEFA Cup treble in 2001/02.
League Cup
Part of the reason why Liverpool are the short-priced favourites for the League Cup is because only eight teams are remaining. The Reds booked their place in the quarter-finals after beating Bournemouth 2-1. Although they could have been handed an easier draw, as Middlesbrough (Championship) and Port Value (League One) are both still involved, a home tie versus West Ham is far from the toughest outcome.
Given how strong Liverpool are at home (11 consecutive victories across all competitions at the time of writing) this is a tie most will expect them to prevail from. It is likely Klopp will take the test relatively seriously too. The German did mix things up in the previous round against Bournemouth but still named senior figures such as Salah, Gakpo, Szoboszlai and Matip. Even if some degree of rotation is brought in for the West Ham clash, Liverpool’s home record should see them over the line.
The other reason Liverpool are the favourites for the League Cup is due to how many other big teams have already faced elimination. Man City, Man United, Tottenham and Arsenal have all been knocked out, leaving Newcastle and Chelsea as the biggest dangers left. One of these sides is guaranteed to drop out at the quarter-final stage though as they have been drawn against one another. Should Chelsea prevail, Liverpool will be the only club that finished in the top 9 places during last year’s Premier League remaining in the competition.
Verdict: Great chance
Europa League
There is much further to go in this season’s Europa League than there is the League Cup, as we are yet to even reach the knockout stage, but still Liverpool find themselves with a short 5/2 price tag. Although this seems unusually short given how many teams are left in the competition, you must bear in mind that the Champions League drop-outs are yet to join.
For the clubs that finish in third place in their Champions League group, they will join the likes of Liverpool in the Europa League. This usually shakes up the betting because often some very decent sides end up dropping down into Europe’s second most prestigious club competition. Possible clubs that could feasibly end up dropping down include the likes of Newcastle, AC Milan, Sevilla, Man United and Porto. Even the likes of Napoli and PSG could join them should disaster strike in their respective final group-stage game.
So, Liverpool will surely face some stronger competition than is currently present in the competition and you should remember this before placing any bets. You would be wise also not to discount the threat of Group H winners Bayer Leverkusen. Under Xabi Alonso, they have enjoyed a truly superb start to the season and look like a real force to be reckoned with. At odds of 13/2, they perhaps make for a better value-for-money bet in this competition.
Verdict: A very solid chance but not a good value bet
Premier League
With Manchester City having slipped up in four consecutive matches, Liverpool find themselves occupying second place in the Premier League table at the time of writing. Firmly in the mix, you would be foolish to write the Reds off at this stage especially given they broke their Premier League hoo-doo in 2020. They arguably lack the depth that Man City do though and we know that the Citizens do often start a little slowly before finishing the season with aplomb.
Despite recent struggles, there is a reason why City are still under serial-winner Pep Guardiola. Even ignoring the defending champions for a moment though, Liverpool also have current league leaders Arsenal to catch before they can dream about another league title. Although the Gunners perhaps do not look quite as formidable as last season, they continue to find a way of winning matches. With just one defeat in their opening 15 league contests, Liverpool have two imposing foes in this year’s title race.
While the likes Aston Villa, Tottenham and Newcastle are not too far off the pace currently, injuries are a major problem for the latter two while Villa are not good enough away from home despite being amazing on home turf (as they showed when beating the champions). It is difficult to see any of them still being firmly in the mix come April time. Still, you can prepare yourself for a fascinating three-horse race which could feasibly go in either direction. The smart money probably still goes on Man City but if Liverpool can avoid a major injury crisis, they will not be far away at all.
Verdict: Likely very close but may finish just short
FA Cup
Liverpool were trading at 8/1 for this year’s FA Cup but their price increased following their unfortunate third-round draw. Rather than a nice home tie against lower-league opposition, the Reds must travel to north London to play Arsenal. With this one of the hardest fixtures they could have got, there is a very decent chance they wave goodbye to the competition in the first round. Even if they are to prevail at the Emirates, they will likely face at least a couple more challenging fixtures along the way.
This is not to say Liverpool can’t pull it off but in cup competitions, you often need a little bit of luck, and the Reds certainly got none of that in the third-round draw. When also factoring in the fact that they have only won the competition once in the last decade, 12/1 is a fair but not particularly enticing price.
Verdict: Probably not this time