The Carabao Cup, formerly known as the League Cup, has produced some of the most legendary goal scorers in English football. Since its first edition in the 1960/61 season, where Aston Villa were crowned champions, the competition has seen top players write their names into history with unforgettable goals.
From Liverpool legends to Premier League greats, these stars dominated the Carabao Cup and left an incredible legacy.
Key Highlights
- Ian Rush tops the all-time list with an incredible 46 goals in 75 appearances.
- Liverpool dominate the rankings, with four of the top five goal scorers wearing the famous red shirt.
- Ian Wright, an Arsenal legend, managed 17 goals in just 18 games – an outstanding strike rate.
- The competition now offers winners a place in the UEFA Europa Conference League, making it more valuable than ever.
Top 10 Carabao Cup Goal Scorers of All Time
| Rank | Player | Appearances | Goals | Trophies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ian Rush | 75 | 46 | 5 |
| 2 | Robbie Fowler | 44 | 33 | 2 |
| 3 | Jermain Defoe | 37 | 22 | 1 |
| 4 | Sir Kenny Dalglish | 50 | 21 | 4 |
| 5 | Michael Owen | 24 | 19 | 3 |
| 6 | Alan Shearer | 31 | 19 | 0 |
| 7 | Frank Lampard | 42 | 18 | 2 |
| 8 | Jay Rodriguez | 32 | 18 | 0 |
| 9 | Nathan Ellington | 20 | 18 | 0 |
| 10 | Ian Wright | 18 | 17 | 1 |
Why the Carabao Cup Matters
While often seen as England’s secondary cup competition, the Carabao Cup provides thrilling football and a stage for emerging talents. Many of the players listed above began their journeys here before becoming household names.
With automatic qualification for European football on the line, the competition remains one of the most exciting tournaments in English football.
