Liverpool's EFL Cup record: How have Reds fared in previous finals?

Liverpool lost the 2024-25 EFL Cup final 2-1 against Newcastle United at Wembley on March 16, 2024, with goals from Dan Burn and Alexander Isak enough to see the Merseysiders succumb to defeat.

The Reds beat Chelsea 1-0 after extra time in the 2024 edition of the final, and fans will hope that Arne Slot can win his next final.

Liverpool have won the EFL Cup 10 times, making them the most successful club in the history of the competition, though they have now also lost five times.

Here, Sports Mole takes a closer look at Liverpool's record in EFL Cup finals following their 2-1 loss against Newcastle.

EFL Cup final record

Finals: 15
Wins: 10
Defeats: 5

Chelsea 0-1 Liverpool (a.e.t) (2024)

Liverpool's triumph against Chelsea in the EFL Cup final in 2023-24 will be remembered long in the minds of Reds fans given the extraordinary circumstances surrounding their victory.

The Merseysiders were missing 11 players, including stars such as Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dominik Szoboszlai, Alisson Becker, Darwin Nunez, Curtis Jones and Diogo Jota.

To make matters worse, Ryan Gravenberch suffered an injury in the game and was forced off the pitch less than 30 minutes into the game.

Liverpool managed to take Chelsea to extra time - courtesy of heroics from goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher - and the period saw the resolve of youngsters Bobby Clark, James McConnell and Jayden Danns tested significantly.

However, buoyed by the fervent support from Reds fans, the Merseysiders pushed Chelsea back and won a corner late into the second half of extra time.

Captain Virgil van Dijk was one of the few senior players left on the pitch, and the centre-back rose highest to meet Kostas Tsimikas' delivery to score the winner in the 118th minute.

The trophy proved to be Jurgen Klopp's last as Liverpool manager, and though he would have liked to have the won Premier League, the nature of the victory arguably makes the final one of the German's finest moments as head coach.

Chelsea 3-2 Liverpool (a.e.t.) (2005)

Liverpool would unfortunately lose to Jose Mourinho's Chelsea in the 2005 final of the EFL Cup, but much could have been different had they held on after John Arne Riise scored the quickest goal in EFL Cup final history after just 44 seconds.

Despite defending resiliently against the eventual Premier League champions, the Reds conceded a 79th-minute equaliser, with legend Steven Gerrard netting an own goal after trying to defend a cross into the box and inadvertently flicking the ball past goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek.

Reds boss Rafa Benitez was the only manager on the touchline in extra time give Mourinho had been sent to the stands, but it was the latter that left with a medal that day after goals from Didier Drogba and Mateja Kezman.

Though Antonio Nunez halved Liverpool's deficit in the 113th minute, the Blues hung onto their lead, and they remain one of only four teams to have beaten the Merseysiders in the final alongside Nottingham Forest (1978), Arsenal (1987) and Manchester City (2016).

Cardiff City 2-2 Liverpool (a.e.t, Liverpool win 3–2 on penalties) (2012)

Liverpool might have hoped that a clash against Championship side Cardiff City would have resulted in a relatively straightforward final, but the Welsh team proved to be more than a match for the Merseysiders.

The revered Kenny Dalglish led the Reds out at Wembley, but despite his team featuring stars such as Luis Suarez, Jamie Carragher and Gerrard, the legendary manager found his side behind when Joe Mason beat goalkeeper Pepe Reina.

Martin Skrtel managed to equalise an hour into the game, and his goal was enough to send the match to extra time, where Dirk Kuyt ran from deep to give the Reds a 2-1 lead in the 108th minute.

However, the Merseysiders conceded a 118th-minute leveller from Ben Turner and the clash ultimately went to a penalty shootout, where Gerrard and Charlie Adam missed their first two spot kicks for Liverpool.

Cardiff were leading 2-1 in the shootout when Rudy Gestede missed his side's third penalty, and his blunder ultimately swung momentum in Liverpool's favour, with the Reds going on to net their final three spot kicks while their opponents only scored one of their final two.

Liverpool won 3-2 on penalties and won their first EFL Cup trophy since they triumphed 2-0 against Manchester United in the 2002-03 season.

Written by
Lewis Nolan