After a promising win against West Ham on Monday night, Eddie Howe’s faces an even harder cup final selection headache ahead of Newcastle’s biggest game of the season.
With the likes of Harvey Barnes delivering an assist, Tino Livramento coming in at left-back and Joelinton returning to our midfield, Howe has also discussed the “difficult call” he will have to make to upset the odds against Liverpool.
Howe on our new-look left side
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With Lewis Hall’s season-ending injury and Anthony Gordon’s suspension, Howe’s “new look” left flank seemed to impress the boss last night.
Speaking to the media after the game, Howe spoke like a man pretty settled on his Gordon and Hall replacements, despite concerns over Livramento’s lack of left foot and suggestions Joe Willock could’ve come in alongside Joelinton.
“I’m pleased with all the players on our new look left-hand side, with Tino Livramento and Harvey Barnes,” he said after the game.
“Harvey did very well today. It was a lovely cross. Tino looked good at left-back. “They did really well together, so that should give us great confidence going into the weekend.
“We will focus fully on Liverpool now. We will take everything into consideration. I felt we were in need of a win to go into the final with a real boost and lift. It will do us the world of good.”
Howe on “difficult” goalkeeper call
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Whoever Howe picks between Martin Dubravka and Nick Pope to start at Wembley will no doubt cause controversy within the fan base.
All signs point to Pope being given the nod for Sunday the 16th, having started against West Ham, and facing very little trouble from the Hammers in the process – Sunday will afford the England international a chance at redemption from his own suspension just before the 2023 Carabao Cup final.
“It’s a difficult call but it’s not the only one. I have difficult calls in a few positions which shows we have a good squad. The goalkeeper situation hasn’t been clear because both are high class.
“It’s the same in any position, you look for the best man in the job – you take form, training and everything into consideration. We do that for every position. We have tough calls to make.”
“Everyone has to be ready because football has a way of surprising you continually,” said Howe. “We need the whole squad focused on Sunday now and everyone has to be ready to perform.”
Midfield picks itself
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If there was ever really any doubt, Newcastle’s midfield quite easily picked itself on Monday night thanks to three fantastic performances.
Match winner Bruno Guimaraes returned to the Starting XI after being rested against Brighton in the FA Cup and showed why he is still the beating heart of this Newcastle side.
Joelinton meanwhile, despite an option to play left wing, showcased his unmatched quality in central midfield with a domineering performance once again.
And then there’s Sandro Tonali: boasting similar flair that wouldn’t go amiss in Liverpool’s own midfield, Howe can rest assured that his best trio remains one that he can rely upon time after time, and particularly ahead of him be of the biggest games in the club’s history on Sunday.