League Cup memories: 'Winning the first one is most important'
Gerard Houllier believes winning the first trophy of his reign as Liverpool manager kickstarted a charge for further honours and hopes the same will happen for Jürgen Klopp.
The Frenchman managed the Reds to the treble in the 2000-01 season by firstly lifting the League Cup, then going on to claim the FA Cup and UEFA Cup later in the year.
Klopp is aiming for his first prize with the club tomorrow as his side take on Manchester City at Wembley in the Capital One Cup final.
And Houllier recalls his debut cup success in beating Birmingham City at the Millennium Stadium as a pivotal moment during that incredible campaign.
“It takes off a lot of pressure,” he told Liverpoofc.com. “What I noticed in 2001 was winning that first trophy released a feeling of confidence and also a feeling of ‘we don't have to worry too much’ because you already have one in the cabinet.
“Winning the first one is the most important one because it can really lead to other trophies afterwards.
“The tradition at Liverpool is to win silverware. I once asked the general secretary, 'what do you expect from me?' and he said, 'the tradition of this club is to win silverware'.
“This is a great opportunity for Jürgen and [there are] probably many to follow. I wish Jürgen has the same fate and he wins that cup because for himself, the team and the fans, it will be fantastic and it will be a great boost of confidence for the end of the season.”
Liverpool won the Worthington Cup final via a penalty shootout in Cardiff that day, netting five of their six penalties while Sander Westerveld saved two.
The 68-year-old reveals he ordered spot-kick practice in the week prior to the game and attempted to recreate the pressure cooker environment of a shootout.
He added: “I used to do that from the centre circle and in a way where we would walk to the penalty spot very slowly, as in the cup final.
“If you miss a penalty then you pay a fine and nobody wants to pay a fine to contribute to the players' kitty!”
During his time at the helm, Houllier experienced a special connection between himself and the supporters for the periods of prosperity he brought.
And with Kopites having taken the new boss to their hearts ever since his arrival in October, the Frenchman insists the bond linking fans and the man in charge is of the utmost importance.
“To me, the roots of the club are of course the young players and the Academy, but the other roots are the supporters,” he said.
“A club is living well, developing well and thriving if it has good roots. And Liverpool are very lucky because they have got good fans [who are] fantastic people who love football and their club.
“I think the link between the fans and the team and, of course, the fans and the manager who represents the team, is very important.”