Carabao Cup 2023/24 top scorers: When lower-league players steal the spotlight

The 2023/24 Carabao Cup final remains etched in the hearts of Liverpool supporters as perhaps the most emotional chapter of the modern era. On a cold February afternoon at Wembley Stadium, the Anfield faithful witnessed their team overcome Chelsea in a grueling 120-minute battle. 

What made this victory truly legendary was not just the dramatic 1-0 scoreline, but the circumstances surrounding it. Facing a massive injury crisis, manager Jurgen Klopp was forced to deploy a "Klopp’s Kids" lineup, featuring several academy prospects who were largely unknown to the global stage. This trophy served as a poetic "Last dance" for the German manager, marking the final piece of silverware in his illustrious nine-year reign on Merseyside.

Liverpool's journey to the podium was a masterclass in resilience. After receiving a bye in the second round, they began their campaign by coming from behind to defeat Leicester City 3-1, highlighted by a Dominik Szoboszlai screamer. They then braved a storm at Bournemouth to win 2-1 before dismantling West Ham 5-1 in the quarter-finals. The semi-final was a tense two-legged affair against Fulham, where they eventually prevailed 3-2 on aggregate. This triumph marked Liverpool’s 10th League Cup title, extending their record as the most successful club in the history of the competition. 

As Soccerwayuk looks back, we realize that while the team lifted the trophy, the individual race for the Carabao Cup 2023/24 top scorers was equally captivating. To help you relive those moments, we have partnered with Sofascore to bring you the definitive list of the sharpshooters who defined that season.

Carabao Cup 2023/24 top scorers

In the tenth position, Chelsea’s Enzo Fernández makes a notable appearance. The Argentine midfielder found the net 2 times in 7 appearances during the 2023/24 campaign. His goals came against AFC Wimbledon in the second round and Middlesbrough in the semi-final second leg. Despite reaching the final at Wembley, Enzo finished as a runner-up that year. 

Moving into the cluster of players who netted 3 goals, we find a diverse group of talents. Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan of Reading was incredibly efficient, scoring 3 goals in just 2 matches, including a brace against Millwall in the first round. Although Reading fell early, the young striker's impact was undeniable. 

Similarly, Ben Waine of Plymouth Argyle and Jean-Philippe Mateta of Crystal Palace both recorded 3 goals in 2 appearances. Mateta, who has become a cult hero at Palace, scored a hat-trick against Plymouth in the second round.

 In the sixth to eighth spots, we see names like John Buckley and Kion Etete. Buckley, representing Blackburn Rovers, scored 3 goals in 2 games before his side was eventually eliminated by Chelsea in the fourth round. Kion Etete of Cardiff City also managed 3 goals in 3 matches, finding success against Colchester and Birmingham. 

Jake Garrett, another Blackburn Rovers representative, secured the fourth spot with 3 goals in 4 matches. These players demonstrated the "magic of the cup," where talents from the Championship and League One often outshine Premier League superstars.

The podium of the Carabao Cup 2023/24 top scorers is dominated by the finalists. In third place, Curtis Jones was instrumental for Liverpool. The local lad scored 3 goals in 5 matches, including a vital double against West Ham in the quarter-finals and a crucial goal in the semi-final first leg against Fulham. Jones is a one-club man who has now won two Carabao Cup titles (2022 and 2024). 

The runner-up spot belongs to Cody Gakpo, the Dutch international who seemed to score in every round he played. Gakpo netted 4 goals in 6 matches, scoring against Leicester, Bournemouth, West Ham, and Fulham. Since joining Liverpool from PSV in early 2023, Gakpo has established himself as a cup specialist. 

Finally, the crown for the top scorer of the 2023/24 Carabao Cup goes to Morgan Rogers. Then playing for Middlesbrough, Rogers was sensational, scoring 5 goals in 6 matches. His goals guided Boro all the way to the semi-finals, where they eventually fell to Chelsea. This performance earned him a high-profile move to Aston Villa in February 2024. 

Rogers, who has played for clubs like Manchester City (academy), Blackpool, and Boro, has now developed into one of the most exciting attackers in the Premier League. 

Top 10 scorers of Carabao Cup 2023/24 (Goals/Matches):

Morgan Rogers (Middlesbrough): 5 goals / 6 matches

Cody Gakpo (Liverpool): 4 goals / 6 matches

Curtis Jones (Liverpool): 3 goals / 5 matches

Jake Garrett (Blackburn Rovers): 3 goals / 4 matches

Kion Etete (Cardiff City): 3 goals / 3 matches

John Buckley (Blackburn Rovers): 3 goals / 2 matches

Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace): 3 goals / 2 matches

Ben Waine (Plymouth Argyle): 3 goals / 2 matches

Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan (Reading): 3 goals / 2 matches

Enzo Fernández (Chelsea): 2 goals / 7 matches

The data revealed by Soccerwayuk regarding the Carabao Cup 2023/24 top scorers highlights the incredible mix of elite talent and underdog stories that make this competition unique. 

Stay tuned with us for a moment longer; should you search for a trustworthy and user-friendly platform to track the latest football developments minute by minute, alongside impartial evaluations and essential statistics before every kick-off, we are certain to exceed your expectations. Discover further details here.