Which team has won more carabao Cup?

The Carabao Cup, formerly known as the League Cup, is an annual knockout football competition in English football organized by the English Football League. It is open to any club within the top four levels of the English football league system. First held in 1960-61, it is considered to be the second most prestigious domestic cup competition in English football after the FA Cup.

The Carabao Cup has been won by many top English clubs over the years, but two teams stand out as the most successful in its history – Manchester City and Liverpool. Both clubs have a rich history in the competition, but which one ultimately holds the record for most Carabao Cup titles?

Manchester City’s Carabao Cup History

Manchester City are the current record holders for most Carabao Cup titles with 8 wins. Their first triumph came in 1970 when they defeated West Bromwich Albion in the final. City had to wait more than three decades for their next success, beating Tottenham Hotspur in the 1974 final.

After another long drought, the blue half of Manchester found a purple patch in the competition in the late 2000s and 2010s under managers Mark Hughes, Roberto Mancini and Manuel Pellegrini. They won the Cup 4 times in 5 years between 2014 and 2019, establishing themselves as the preeminent team in the tournament. Their last 3 triumphs came against Sunderland (2014), Liverpool (2016) and Chelsea (2019).

Some key details about Manchester City’s 8 Carabao Cup titles:

  • Most Recent Win: 2019-20, beating Aston Villa 2-1 in the final
  • First Win: 1969-70, beating West Bromwich Albion 2-1 after extra time
  • Most Wins in a Row: 4 straight from 2013-14 to 2015-16
  • Most Finals Appearances: 12 (8 wins, 4 runners-up)
  • Biggest Win in a Final: 3-1 vs. Newcastle United in 1976

Liverpool’s Carabao Cup Record

While Manchester City hold the overall record, Liverpool are hot on their heels with 8 Carabao Cup triumphs themselves. The Reds won their first League Cup title in 1981 with a replay victory over West Ham United. This began a sustained period of success in the competition, with 4 wins in the 1980s alone.

After a fallow period in the 1990s, Liverpool regained the trophy in 2001 under Gerard Houllier and won it thrice more in the 2000s. Their last success came in 2012 under club legend Kenny Dalglish. All in all, Liverpool have won the League Cup 8 times over four decades from the 1980s to the 2010s.

Here are some key Liverpool Carabao Cup finals facts:

  • Most Recent Win: 2011-12, beating Cardiff City 3-2 on penalties
  • First Win: 1980-81, beating West Ham United 2-1 in a replay
  • Most Wins in a Row: 4 straight from 1980-81 to 1983-84
  • Most Finals Appearances: 12 (8 wins, 4 runners-up)
  • Biggest Win in a Final: 3-0 vs. Birmingham City in 2001

Head-to-Head Carabao Cup Records

While both Liverpool and Manchester City have 8 Carabao Cups each to their name, there are some differences in their head-to-head records:

  • Manchester City won their first title in 1970, 9 years before Liverpool’s first
  • Liverpool dominated the 80s with 4 titles while City did not win any that decade
  • City’s recent dominance gives them the edge with 4 wins since 2014 versus 0 for Liverpool
  • The teams have met directly 3 times in the final, with City winning in 2016 while the other 2 were draws
  • City have won the Cup in 4 successive decades; Liverpool have won it across 4 decades but not consecutively

Overall, while both sides are tied at 8 titles each currently, Manchester City has the edge in recent times and has a chance to take the outright records in the coming years.

Notable Managers

A look at the most successful managers in Carabao Cup history for both clubs:

Manchester City

  • Manuel Pellegrini – 2 wins (2014, 2016)
  • Roberto Mancini – 1 win (2012)
  • Mark Hughes – 1 win (2011)
  • Tony Book – 1 win (1976)
  • Joe Mercer – 1 win (1970)

Liverpool

  • Kenny Dalglish – 4 wins (2012, 1995, 1994, 1984)
  • Gerard Houllier – 2 wins (2001, 1995)
  • Bob Paisley – 1 win (1981)
  • Joe Fagan – 1 win (1984)

Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish is the outright most successful manager in League Cup history with 4 wins as manager. For Manchester City, Manuel Pellegrini is the only 2-time winning manager.

Notable Winners From Each Club

A look at some all-time great players who won the League Cup with Liverpool and Manchester City over the years:

Manchester City

  • Sergio Aguero – 3 wins (2014, 2016, 2018)
  • Vincent Kompany – 2 wins (2014, 2016)
  • Yaya Toure – 2 wins (2014, 2016)
  • David Silva – 2 wins (2014, 2016)
  • Pablo Zabaleta – 2 wins (2014, 2016)

Liverpool

  • Kenny Dalglish – 4 wins (2012, 1995, 1994, 1984)
  • Ian Rush – 3 wins (1995, 1994, 1984)
  • Phil Neal – 3 wins (1995, 1982, 1981)
  • Steven Gerrard – 2 wins (2012, 2003)
  • Robbie Fowler – 2 wins (1995, 2001)

Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish holds the record for most League Cup medals as a player with 4. For Manchester City, long-time striker Sergio Aguero is their most decorated player in the competition with 3 winners medals.

Noteworthy Final Performances

A chronological look back at some of the best individual displays in League Cup finals over the years:

  • 1970: Glyn Pardoe – Scored twice including the winner in extra time as Manchester City beat West Bromwich Albion 2-1.
  • 1978: Emlyn Hughes – The Liverpool captain scored the opening goal in their 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest.
  • 1983: Alan Hansen – Excellent defensive display as Liverpool kept a clean sheet in their 2-0 win vs Manchester United.
  • 2003: Steven Gerrard – A long-range screamer and a 30-yard half volley to inspire Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Manchester United.
  • 2016: Willy Caballero – Saved 3 penalties in the shootout as Manchester City beat Liverpool 3-1 on spotkicks.

Most Goals in Carabao Cup Finals

Here are the all-time top goalscorers in League Cup finals:

Player Goals
Geoff Hurst 5
Kenny Dalglish 4
Ian Rush 4
Roger Hunt 3
Sergio Aguero 3

Liverpool legend Ian Rush shares the record for most goals scored in League Cup finals with 4, alongside West Ham United’s Geoff Hurst. Rush scored in 3 straight Cup final wins for Liverpool from 1983 to 1985.

Total Trophies Comparison

While the Carabao Cup provides an early season opportunity for silverware, Liverpool and Manchester City have built up an impressive haul of major honors over their histories. Here’s how their overall trophy counts stack up:

Competition Liverpool Man City
League Titles 19 8
FA Cups 7 6
League Cups 8 8
European Cup/Champions League 6 0
UEFA Cup/Europa League 3 1
Total 43 23

While they are dead even on 8 League Cups each, Liverpool have a sizable lead in overall trophies with 43 major honors to Manchester City’s 23. The Reds’ European pedigree gives them the edge for now, but City are rapidly catching up across competitions under Pep Guardiola.

Conclusion

To conclude, while both Liverpool and Manchester City are tied for most Carabao Cup wins with 8 titles each, the trends show:

  • Manchester City have won more recently, with 4 titles since 2014 compared to 0 for Liverpool
  • City have won in more consecutive decades (1970s, 1970s, 2010s, 2020s) than Liverpool
  • Liverpool have the most successful manager in Kenny Dalglish with 4 wins as a manager
  • City currently have momentum winning 4 of the last 5 editions of the tournament

Based on current trajectories, Manchester City seem poised to take sole ownership of the overall Carabao Cup records in the next few seasons if they can continue their recent dominance. However, Liverpool should never be discounted as they look to add to their 8 titles under Jurgen Klopp. The decades-long duel for supremacy between these two northwest rivals continues to provide captivating storylines across every competition.

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