Liverpool's last EFL Cup final team shows how far they have come under Klopp

The Reds' route to the top has been a steady one with Klopp needing a few years to build a team in his image.

It's been worth the wait for fans who have been treated to seeing them achieve Premier League and Champions League glory in recent years.

Other than their Community Shield clashes in 2019 and 2020, Liverpool haven't had too many Wembley trips under Klopp's guidance.

In fact, their last visit to the home of English football in a major competition came six years ago where they took on Manchester City in the League Cup final, which was then known as the Capital One Cup.

Klopp, who unusually donned a suit for the showpiece match, had only been a job in the few months when he led the team out.

Liverpool's starting XI for the match shows how far they've come under the German's guidance.

In midfield and attack, Liverpool look a decent outfit. Roberto Firmino, Jordan Henderson and James Milner are still part of the squad now.

Meanwhile, Philippe Coutinho was Liverpool's best player and Emre Can and Daniel Sturridge were key to the team at the time.

Defensively, though, there's plenty left to be desired with the error-prone Simon Mignolet and Alberto Moreno starting, while midfielder Lucas Leiva started at centre-back.

Liverpool lost Mamadou Sakho to a head injury on 24 minutes due to a head injury, meaning most of the final had a Lucas and Kolo Toure partnership.

And while they fought well, Liverpool suffered a heart-breaking defeat on penalties after the two sides played out a 1-1 draw.

The rest of the bench looks even more scant with Adam Bogdan, Jon Flanagan, Joe Allen, Adam Lallana, Christian Benteke and Divock Origi making up the rest.

Along with Manchester City, Liverpool have won the competition the most times (8). However, their last triumph came a decade ago as they scraped past Championship side Cardiff on penalties.

And here's how Liverpool lined up in that final…

Klopp has a much stronger outfit to pick from this time around, although they will be without the injured Roberto Firmino and Diogo Jota is also a doubt to start the match.

But it's clear the current Reds have a much better chance to do what the Class of 2016 could not, and finally lift a trophy at Wembley.