Newcastle United are preparing for the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool on Sunday.
There is a real buzz amongst the fanbase following the win against West Ham on Monday night, a renewed confidence that this season might finally see the end of Newcastle United’s trophy sorrows.
Toon boss Eddie Howe will have to win the game with a weakened squad, though, with Anthony Gordon and Lewis Hall both missing the final after playing almost every game this season.
Newcastle are also without Sven Botman for the final after he picked up a knee injury in February. Liverpool also have their own injury concerns, however, with Trent Alexander-Arnold out with an ankle injury.
There was also concern for Ibrahima Konate who also came off in Liverpool’s loss to PSG on Tuesday night, but his early exit was more due to fatigue than anything.
Predictions for the game have been coming in thick and fast over the last few days, with opinions split. Nicky Butt believes Newcastle will win on Sunday whereas former Manchester United stars Wayne Rooney and Gary Neville predicted a Liverpool win.
With the final fast approaching, Paul Merson has now made his prediction ahead of the Carabao Cup final.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Paul Merson predicts Newcastle United vs Liverpool
As part of his prediction column for Sportskeeda, Merson has given his prediction for Sunday’s game at Wembley between Newcastle and Liverpool.
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The former England international had already written off Newcastle after their struggles in the Premier League, questioning whether they will be fully prepared for the game. Merson believes that Liverpool will just edge the tie.
“I’m someone who always gives teams a chance in games, but I didn’t give that to Newcastle in this fixture a few weeks ago! Now I think they have a chance though,” he said.
“I think this game will end 1-1 and go to penalties. If I had to pick a side to win on penalties, I’d choose Liverpool. I’m not only saying that because I know Liverpool will turn up for this game and I can’t say the same for Newcastle!
“Liverpool have been in this situation before and they know their way around finals. Newcastle, on the other hand, will have a few nerves to handle if the game goes deep like I expect it to.
“I guess it al comes down to whether Newcastle can turn up for this clash knowing and believing they’ve got every chance of beating Liverpool.”
Merson’s prediction: Newcastle 1-1 Liverpool; Liverpool to win on penalties.
Newcastle’s confidence amid Paul Merson penalties claim
There’s no hiding from the fact that Newcastle will have never been in a similar situation if the final does go to penalties.
However, Newcastle can take confidence in the fact that Liverpool lost their last penalty shootout, with the game against PSG having to be decided by spot-kicks. Darwin Nunez and Curtis Jones missed their penalties in the game, which means they’ll either be prepared to right their wrongs from Tuesday or be sent down the pecking order.
Newcastle have won their last two penalty shootouts, most recently against Nottingham Forest in the second round of the Carabao Cup this season. Before that, the Magpies relied on spot-kicks to get past Crystal Palace in the 2022/23 season.
Fans will take confidence in the fact that they should also have Alexander Isak available for penalties if it comes to that. The Swede has missed just one penalty since joining Newcastle in 2022.