Pep Guardiola could become the first manager since Bob Paisley to win three successive League Cups, yet victory would be a footnote to history unless they add the Champions League
Manchester City’s long-term vision for Europe may be under threat and Liverpool’s lead at the top of the
Premier League all but unassailable, yet
Pep Guardiola could still write himself into the history books on Sunday if he becomes the first manager since Bob Paisley to win three successive League Cups.
If that sounds more like a footnote to history than anything of greater significance it is because the early season knockout competition has diminished in importance in the intervening years, while City themselves are clearly set up for grander ambitions.