As Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga sent his penalty into orbit at the end of a thrilling penalty shootout in the EFL Cup final, it signified Liverpool’s first trophy for nearly two years.

The Reds’ last piece of silverware before Sunday’s Carabao Cup final win was of course the long-awaited first Premier League title in 2020. It was the club’s fifth piece of major silverware of the Jürgen Klopp era.

For many stalwarts of the Klopp reign, the Carabao Cup win will be just the latest medal, but for some, this will be their first taste of silverware for the club. In some cases, it will be their first sampling of success in their careers.

EFL Cup hero Caoimhín Kelleher was at the club during the Champions League win in 2019 and the Premier League win 12 months later, but he played no part in either competition. Therefore it could be argued that the Carabao Cup win is his first true honour as he played in every round for The Reds en route to victory.

Sunday’s victory represented Ibrahima Konaté’s first piece of silverware, with the French defender coming close to winning honours in his time in Germany with RB Leipzig. Kostas Tsimikas had won trophies in Greece with former side Olympiakos, but the Greek defender is one of those in the Liverpool squad who is tasting English success for the first time.

Thiago Alcântara has won virtually every trophy available in club football with Barcelona and Bayern Munich, is also one of those receiving a winners’ medal for the first time in England. Thiago was due to start in the showpiece event but was heartbreakingly pulled out of the starting XI in the warm-up due to a muscle injury.

Fellow 2020 summer signing Diogo Jota, who has been such a success since joining Liverpool, also got his first major taste of silverware in his career. Jota celebrated promotion from the Championship with Wolves in 2017-18, but the EFL Cup represents the biggest honour he has won to date.

Harvey Elliott, who would’ve no doubt played more in this competition had he not suffered his horrendous early-season injury against Leeds, is also getting true success for the first time.

Following the EFL Cup win, there can be little doubt that many of the Liverpool squad who won their first trophy want more. Success breeds further success, and with the club still in the running for the title, and not to mention serious contenders for the Champions League and FA Cup, Sunday may not be Liverpool’s last trip to Wembley this season.

“We all know that in this moment the people are really happy with this team,” said Klopp in the build-up to the EFL Cup final. “But in 20 years if you talk about this team, I would not be surprised if people would say, if we don’t win anything any more: ‘Yes they were good but they should have won more.'”

Sunday’s win over Chelsea could just be the start of a momentous four months. For the six players for whom this was a Liverpool first (and indeed those who have already won things at Anfield), it will be a boost that could have a positive influence for the remainder of the season as they prepare to battle Manchester City for the title — and possibly the Champions League and FA Cup too.