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View from the Kop

Cup Win Will Have Greater Implications

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SO the wait is over. Liverpool have won their first major trophy in six years and the League Cup for a record eighth time and it feels damn good. It wasn’t easy of course, Liverpool finals never are, but this one is hugely significant, especially as Dalglish has managed to win silverware in his first full-year as manager. It’s a tremendous achievement for Kenny who becomes only one of seven managers to have won all three of England’s domestic competitions.

And the critics wondered if Kenny still had it. Anyone questioning him now?

I’m also not buying any arguments from other teams supporters that it’s “only the Carling Cup”. Make no mistake, every team and their supporters across England and Wales would have been delighted to win the Carling Cup, including all of the current top six Premiership clubs. Just ask Chelsea and Manchester City who Liverpool knocked out to get to the final. It’s a Wembley final with all the glory that goes to the winners, which in this case was our beloved Reds. No we didn’t play that well (it doesn’t matter in the end) and several players disappointed, but Liverpool dominated throughout and only due to the lack of clinical finishing and poor defending from set-pieces did they allow a resilient Cardiff to keep it close and, as we all saw, take the match to overtime and ultimately to the lottery of penalties, which thankfully Liverpool have a knack of winning.

The man who changed the course of the final was Dirk Kuyt. I’ve been a critic of Kuyt’s for a few seasons due to his frustrating lack of quality, not work-rate, but his impact on Sunday was vital in getting Liverpool in front when Henderson, Carroll and Suarez where disappointing. Kuyt’s determination led to the goal that put Liverpool 2-1 in front, but more importantly, he had the nerve to score a penalty at a crucial time in the shoot-out when another miss would have almost certainly gifted Cardiff the cup. His reaction upon scoring that penalty said it all. He put the pressure right back on Cardiff and gave the rest of the Liverpool penalty takers the motivation to go on and win it.

But as important and joyous as it was to win the cup on Sunday there are more far-reaching and positive implications. The impact the victory will have on the mind-set of John Henry and Tom Werner, Liverpool’s American owners, will be significant. They bought Liverpool because they saw a club with a rich and impressive history, the best supporters in the world and an invaluable global brand, all of which they could parle into greater revenues and success for the club. They had the genuine desire to make Liverpool great again, as proven by their funding of new players, so to see their investment produce silverware so quickly will only reinforce their commitment to invest further in the squad and in the development of a new or upgraded stadium. They are now even hungrier for success with Henry expressing his desire to go on and win the FA Cup. Adding that to a top 4 finish would mean all expectations would have been exceeded and the season would be an outstanding success.
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“I haven’t seen or heard anything like this,” said Henry. “It was extraordinarily loud and it made it even more exciting that there were 90,000 fans here. It was just extraordinary”.

“This is the first step for this club in trying to get to the point where we’re talking about things on the field rather than off the field. It’s been going on for so many years now that it was time the club was able to step up and win a match like this.”

Tom Werner was equally enthusiastic “We have accomplished something as a club and for our fans. It is the first step and we’re looking forward to more silverware.”

I think we can confidently say they are both hooked on Liverpool and their success.

The other positive implication from Sunday’s victory is their faith and confidence in Dalglish will have been further renewed, if indeed it ever needed to be. This gives Kenny more time to continue his rebuilding project because, as we all know, the squad does need further strengthening and having Dalglish firmly at the helm will create stability and continuity which only just a few years ago seemed like a pipe dream under those other American owners.

So victory on Sunday was not only a fantastic achievement, it creates a platform and mindset to rebuild Liverpool’s stature as the greatest club team in England and, dare I say, one day the world.

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5 comments

  • NJRedsFan says:

    With Agger out I strongly think we need to start Kelly on the right as Cara will pair with Skertl in the middle. If Stevie is not fit I think Shelvy should get the nod and stick to RVP like glue. I, again, think we should start Johnson in right mid. Adam is going to have to play out of his mind to shut down the Gunners.

    • Jimmy Areabi says:

      I don’t think Jonjo is disciplined enough to be given a man-marking role against anyone, let alone RVP.

  • Jimmy Areabi says:

    The owners have seemed to remain grounded so far, and haven’t been unrealistic about our situations since taking over. Hopefully this Cup win won’t go to their head’s in suddenly demanding what is not achievable just yet. Though with more backing in the transfer market, I’m sure better things will come.

  • Baz says:

    “I haven’t seen or heard anything like this,” said Henry. “It was extraordinarily loud and it made it even more exciting that there were 90,000 fans here. It was just extraordinary”

    Bl**dy hell it’s a good job he wasn’t in Istanbul then, it would have blown his brains out through his ears

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