Eddie Howe must decide who starts on the left wing for Newcastle United against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final.
In a perfect world, Anthony Gordon would be in the Newcastle United starting XI at Wembley.
Unfortunately, that will not be possible. After receiving a red card in the FA Cup defeat to Brighton, Gordon is suspended.
The 24-year-old’s moment of madness has given Eddie Howe a selection dilemma, as he aims to end Newcastle’s trophy drought.
Following the sending off, Geordie Boot Boys predicted that Joelinton would replace Gordon rather than Harvey Barnes. However, the former Leicester City winger was given an opportunity to prove why he should start at Wembley.
He started at the London Stadium on Monday night, as Newcastle United beat West Ham United.
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
Jamie Carragher makes Harvey Barnes admission ahead of Newcastle United vs Liverpool
While Barnes got the chance to start against West Ham, Jamie Carragher suggested before the game that it might be a different story in the Carabao Cup final.
Speaking on Sky Sports Main Event, the former Liverpool defender stated that Eddie Howe may have ‘something else up his sleeve’ for Sunday’s final.
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“He’s got that fight with Anthony Gordon for that position on the left,” he said.
“Anthony Gordon is probably a level above Harvey Barnes. But what an opportunity he has got. And what you would always say about Harvey Barnes that you can’t say about a lot of wide players – he’s a goal threat. He always looks like he’s going to score you a goal. That’s the big thing for him.
“I don’t think it’s an absolute guarantee that he will be playing next week, because Eddie Howe might come up with something different, as he did in the semi-final against Arsenal. He went to three at the back. Or maybe he will put Joelinton on Trent Alexander-Arnold. He might have something else up his sleeve.
“It’s a big opportunity for him and he needs to make sure he takes it.”
How Harvey Barnes performed against West Ham
Did Barnes take his opportunity? That is the golden question. A lot of Newcastle fans were delighted with Barnes’ performance, and it is easy to understand why.
The £39million attacker was certainly one of Newcastle’s most dangerous players against the Hammers, missing three excellent chances in the first half. While that may have hinted at a bit of rustiness, at least he got himself in a position to try and impact the game.
He eventually did prove to be decisive, with Barnes providing the cross for Bruno Guimaraes’ winner. It was a brilliant delivery from Barnes, and it could be pivotal as Howe begins to ponder who to pick for the Carabao Cup final.
With Gordon unavailable, Newcastle need as many game-changers as possible for the final against Liverpool. Barnes can be that, but it is still up for debate whether or not he will start at Wembley.
Howe’s alternative option is to bring Joe Willock back into the starting XI. That would then allow Joelinton and Willock to dovetail down the left – something they did brilliantly in the 2022/23 season and earlier in the current campaign.
But Barnes has certainly given Howe something to think about, and it will be very interesting to see who the Newcastle United manager selects.