Can Liverpool win a historic quadruple this season?
Liverpool are heading into the business end of the 2022 season with an opportunity to make history and claim a historic quadruple. With a month left in the season, the Reds are very much in the hunt for four major competitions, both domestically and of course, the European Champions League.
Playing a major part in their success this season is Greek fullback Konstantinos Tsimikas. After making the switch to Anfield in August 2020, Tsimikas has seen an increase in his playing time this season, representing the Reds 20 times across all competitions, building on his seven appearances made in his debut season in 2020-21.
Tsimikas has become an integral part of the Reds backline and enjoyed a strong start to the season when regular left-back, Andy Robertson, was injured. Whilst Robertson’s outstanding form has limited Tsimikas to just 10 appearances in the Premier League, he has been outstanding, recording six clean sheets in 10 games and helping Liverpool to pull themselves back into the title race where they find themselves just one point behind Manchester City with nine games left in the season.
One trophy already in the bag
Liverpool already have one of the four trophies they are chasing this season in the bag following their success in the Carabao Cup, also known as the League Cup. In a tense final that went to extra time, Liverpool overcame Chelsea on penalties to end a thrilling final.
Over 90 minutes of regular time and an additional 30 minutes of extra time, neither of the teams had managed to break the deadlock despite the ball finding the net four times, all ruled out for offside by VAR. Despite the goalless scoreline, the game was an open affair with both teams showing significant attacking intent, however, both goalkeepers were in fine form with Edouard Mendy producing a series of fine saves to keep Liverpool at bay.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp decided to keep faith with his “cup” keeper, resting regular keeper Alisson in favour of Caoimhin Kelleher who has kept goal in all the previous rounds of the Carabao Cup. That faith was rewarded with a fine performance from Kelleher, culminating with him saving the crucial penalty that saw Liverpool claim an 11-10 victory.
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel took the brave decision to substitute Mendy in the final minute of extra time in favour of Kepa Arrizabalaga - a keeper with a strong reputation in penalty shootouts. It was a move that backfired, with Kepa failing to keep out a single penalty from the Liverpool team and then to make matters worse, he missed the crucial penalty that saw Liverpool lift the trophy for the first time since 2012.
Tsimikas was an unused substitute in the final, however, he was able to collect a winners medal having featured in three of the earlier rounds.
The road to history
When Manchester United completed their famous treble back in 1999, they became the first team to win the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League in the same season. They lost in the fifth round of the League Cup that year, losing 3-1 to Spurs before going on to claim the Premier League title followed by success in the FA Cup Final against Newcastle and the defining glory - a 2-1 victory against Bayern Munich in the final of the Champions League despite trailing 1-0 heading into the final minute of the game.
For Liverpool fans, they would love nothing more than to go one step further than United and claim a historic quadruple - a feat that would be difficult for any team to surpass.
In order to get there, they will need to overcome Manchester City, potentially in all three remaining competitions. First up, they will face City in the semi-finals of the FA Cup on 17 April at Wembley with City also still hopeful of emulating city rival United and completing the treble this season.
They could also face each other in the Champions League with both sides progressing to the quarter-finals where Liverpool will play Benfica and City face Atletico Madrid.
For either team to win the Champions League this season, they will likely have to get passed either defending champions Chelsea or their quarter-finals opponent Real Madrid. Liverpool are now priced at 3.00 according to the bookmaker Betway. In the other quarter-final, Bayern Munich are strong favourites to beat Villareal, leading to a very strong semi-final lineup.
In the Premier League, despite trailing City by one point with nine games to play, Liverpool’s feat is still in their own hands. If they win all their games, they will be crowned champions this season as they still have City to play in what could be a title decider on 11 April. City will head into the game as favourites - they are playing at home and they are in fine form themselves, however, if Liverpool can create an upset in Manchester, they could be on track to complete a historic quadruple and ruffle the feathers of both sides of Manchester.
There is no doubt that Tsimikas will play an important role as Liverpool enter the business end of the season, with games mounting up and players needing to be rotated. Tsimikas last played in the Premier League in GW26 in a 3-1 home win against Norwich and with fixtures coming up against strugglers Watford, Everton and Newcastle, it is likely that Tsimikas will be called upon to provide Robertson with a rest, particularly when Liverpool have midweek Champions League fixtures.
Tsimikas is just one of a number of Greek players successfully plying their trade overseas. He is an integral part of the Liverpool squad and many Greek supporters will be cheering Liverpool on in their bid for success this season.
