It's the semi-finals of the Capital One Cup this week, with Everton, Man City, Liverpool and Stoke all aiming to reach Wembley for the first trophy of the season.

Having been much maligned in the past, the competition has regained some of it's popularity recently and clubs are now taking it more seriously again, producing some memorable games with strong squads.

It was back in the 'noughties' that the competition, first the Worthington then the Carling Cup, seemed to take a nosedive in popularity and quality, with sides such as Arsenal using the competition more as a way to blood youngsters than as a genuine attempt to win silverware.

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On the plus side, this did allow "smaller" clubs to enjoy a Wembley Cup Final, the likes of Leicester, Blackburn and Middlesbrough all having success in that time.

But in the last 10 years, the tide has once again shifted back to the more established clubs in the country, only Birmingham's shock win over Arsenal in 2011 and Swansea's hammering of Bradford in 2013 seeing victory for less traditional names.

Whilst not having the tradition or prestige of the FA Cup, England's second cup competition is most definitely one worth winning for a number of reasons.

Firstly, it's a great stepping-stone to further success. Back in 2005, it was Mourinho's first trophy and one he prized a great deal. Giving the club and players a winning mentality, it offers a great springboard to success in 'bigger' competitions further down the line.

Similarly, it allows new managers to endear themselves to the fans, giving them a day out at Wembley and an actual piece of silverware (as opposed to European qualification through league placing). How Klopp would dearly love to win the competition, the German manager recently telling reporters: "Of course it is football and you should not waste opportunities of winning something".

They may hope to be competing in bigger competitions in the future, but for now at least the lifting of the Capital One Cup at the end of February would be a great start to Klopp's managerial career at Liverpool.

It also allows clubs with little to no chance of winning the league itself a chance of glory. At least two of the clubs in this year's semi-finals, Everton and Stoke, were unlikely to challenge for the Premier League and therefore a competition like this allows them to, at least, stand a half decent chance of winning something in their season.

Furthermore, it gives those mid-table sides a great way into Europe. With the competitive nature of the Premier League, this season more than ever, the chances of qualifying for European competition through league-standing are very slim. I'm sure Mark Hughes would love to take his talented Stoke side into Europe next season, even with the negatives that come with Europa League football.

But more than being used as a springboard, 'bedding in' a new manager or even as a way into Europe, the League Cup is worth winning for the simple reason that it's a trophy! There are only three domestic competitions afterall, the chances of winning each getting smaller the greater the competition.

Sure, it may not hold the prestige of the FA Cup or the glory of the Premier League but, despite some managers prioritising league-placing and Champions League qualification, at the end of the day holding aloft a Cup in-front of your fans is a far more memorable way to mark a campaign than limping into fourth place.

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