Liverpool qualified for the Carabao Cup final on Thursday as they put four past Tottenham Hotspur.
The Reds had been favourites to make it to Wembley despite losing the first-leg 1-0 in January.
And despite a relatively tight first-half at Anfield, Liverpool blew Spurs away in the second period to record a 4-0 win.
It was a jubilant atmosphere amongst the Reds supporters as they booked a chance to make it consecutive wins in the Carabao Cup.
It was also a special night for Arne Slot, who reached a final with Liverpool at the very first time of asking.
But although the Liverpool head coach was delighted with his team’s performance, he did admit that there is ‘one downside’ to the Reds making it to Wembley.
Arne Slot wary of fixture pile-up
Liverpool have been in this position many times before. Record 10-time winners and current holders of the Carabao Cup, they will not be overawed at Wembley.
The benefit of having been there and done it is also that Liverpool know how to deal with the subsequent fixture pile-up.
The Reds’ reward for reaching the final is to meet with Aston Villa on Wednesday the 19th February, instead of the original 15th of March date.
And speaking to Sky Sports after Thursday’s win, Slot admitted that having to visit Villa in midweek does represent a ‘downside’ to the victory over Spurs.
“There is one downside to us reaching the final and that is that we have to play Villa during the week,” said the Dutch coach.
“But that’s not a negative, it’s a positive because players like to play games and they get stronger by playing games.”
Liverpool face tough February week
With the Villa game now confirmed to have been moved, Liverpool know that the rest of February is now looking crucial.
As well as Wednesday’s rearranged game with Everton, the Reds will face away trips to Villa on the 19th and Man City four days later on the 23rd.
A home game against Wolves lies in the middle, and that is looking incredibly tough.
On the flipside, if the Reds can win all of those games – as they are perfectly capable of doing – then things will be looking very good indeed.
As Slot says, this is a slight downside, but one that can easily be spun into a positive.
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