Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk said winning a second League Cup trophy on Sunday against Newcastle United would give him a place among the captains who had achieved great things at the Premier League club.

Liverpool may have led the way domestically and in Europe for much of this season but captain Virgil van Dijk knows in the final reckoning only trophies matter. This week’s Champions League last-16 exit to Paris St Germain on penalties – only a fifth defeat in 46 competitive games under Arne Slot – was a huge blow to a squad which has largely been leaving opponents trailing in their wake.

Liverpool can win the first trophy of the Arne Slot era in Sunday's League Cup final against a Newcastle side desperate to end the club's 56-year wait for major silverware. In the first final of the English domestic season,

Arne Slot’s Liverpool are cantering to the Premier League crown unopposed and the date at which the title will be confirmed is fast approaching as the Reds hold a 15-point lead