EFL Cup winners list: Liverpool most successful club, Manchester City’s four consecutive titles record

The EFL Cup, referred to as the League Cup, is a season-wide knockout football competition in England’s men’s domestic football. Due to sponsorship reasons, it is currently known as the Carabao Cup.

The tournament is organised by the English Football League (EFL). The tournament is open to all clubs in the top four divisions of the English football league system, featuring 92 teams including Premier League, EFL Championship, League One and League Two clubs.

First held in 1960-61, the English League Cup is played over rounds, with single-leg ties until the semi-finals. While the semis are two-legged affairs, the final is a one-match title decider.

Liverpool are the reigning EFL Cup champions after beating Chelsea in the final of the 2023-24 edition at the Wembley Stadium in London. 

Who was the first EFL Cup winner?

Aston Villa were the inaugural champions of the EFL Cup. Villa beat Rotherham United 3-2 on aggregate in the then two-legged final. Peter McParland scored in extra-time of the second leg to seal the cup.

While the first leg was held at the Millmoor Ground, the title was decided at Villa Park.

Who has won the most EFL Cup titles?

Liverpool have won the most EFL Cup titles. The Reds have been crowned champions on 10 occasions, while they also have four runner-up finishes in the tournament.

The first Liverpool success in the League Cup was in the 1980-81 season, when they beat West Ham United at Villa Park in Birmingham. The Reds’ legend Alan Hansen scored the winner in the replay to win the final 2-1.

Meanwhile, Manchester City are eight-time EFL Cup winners, followed by Manchester United who have six titles, while Aston Villa and Chelsea have won it five times, each.

Who has won the most consecutive EFL Cup titles?

Liverpool and Manchester City have won the most consecutive EFL Cup titles. Both teams lifted the trophy on four consecutive occasions.

After Liverpool’s first title in the 1980-81 season, the Reds went on to win the League Cup in the 1981-82, 1982-83 and 1983-84 editions. They famously beat city-rivals Everton in an all-Merseyside final in 1984 at Wembley.

Manchester City, on the other hand, swept the EFL Cup for four seasons between 2017-18 and 2020-21. In fact, they also won the tournament in 2015-16, making it five EFL Cup crowns in six seasons. 

EFL Cup winners list

Photo credit: Alamy