Newcastle United will hope that Sandro Tonali excels against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final.
The Italy international is on course to start for Newcastle United, as he prepares to make his first ever Wembley appearance as a Toon player.
Sandro Tonali moved to Newcastle to win trophies and play in the Champions League. He has done the latter, and now has an opportunity to achieve the former.
He became one of Newcastle’s most expensive signings ever in 2023, arriving from AC Milan for £55million. The plan was for him to transform Eddie Howe’s midfield, but he was not the only player who the Magpies targeted.
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
The story of Newcastle United’s interest in Dominik Szoboszlai
Before Tonali arrived at St James’ Park, Newcastle United did have other midfield targets.
The first was James Maddison, but he would instead sign for Tottenham Hotspur.
The second was Dominik Szoboszlai, who was a very exciting alternative to the England international.
Newcastle were heavily linked with signing Szoboszlai from RB Leipzig, but only if they activated his £60million release clause.
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In the end, it was Liverpool who activated that clause to swoop in and sign the Hungarian ahead of Eddie Howe’s side. Leipzig expected Newcastle to sign Szoboszlai, but it was eventually Liverpool who struck a deal.
Szoboszlai wanted to work with Jurgen Klopp, while Toon officials decided to prioritise Sandro Tonali. Newcastle did not think Szoboszlai was essential, whereas Tonali was.
Dominik Szoboszlai’s Liverpool form ahead of Carabao Cup final vs Newcastle United
Now the two players will face each other at Wembley in the 2025 Carabao Cup final.
Tonali has established himself as Newcastle’s number six, sitting in front of the defence and transforming the way that Eddie Howe’s side plays.
Meanwhile, Szoboszlai is having just as big an impact at Anfield under Arne Slot. Klopp’s replacement is going to win the Premier League in his first season, while he also has the chance to win the Carabao Cup.
As the final at Wembley looms, Slot is getting the best out of Szoboszlai.
Appearances Goals Assists
Premier League 26 5 4
Champions League 8 1 1
Carabao Cup 2 1 0
FA Cup 1 0 1
He is in excellent form ahead of the cup final. Toon fans know that first hand, with Szoboszlai scoring in Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Newcastle at Anfield. The midfielder was also decisive against Manchester City recently, getting a goal and an assist in a 2-0 win at the Etihad Stadium. On that day, Jamie Carragher described Szoboszlai as ‘out of this world’.
The 24-year-old is playing incredibly well, proving why he would have been a remarkable signing for Newcastle United in 2023.
The Magpies missed out, opting to sign Tonali instead. Now Toon officials will hope that decision does not haunt them at Wembley on March 16th.