· March 13 2025, 17:30
**Newcastle United go into Sunday's Carabao Cup final against Liverpool as the underdogs with not many people giving the Magpies much of a chance of lifting the trophy.**
History is certainly against Newcastle both in terms of not lifting a domestic trophy in 70 years, but also their recent history against Liverpool, who've had the beating of Newcastle for years now.
The sentiments of many pundits echo history, although that stance is certainly starting to soften after Paris Saint-Germain ran Liverpool into the ground over two legs in the Champions League before knocking the Reds out on penalties.
There's now a sense that Liverpool could be, at least emotionally, exhausted going into the big clash at Wembley.
Newcastle and Liverpool will go head-to-head on Sunday - 4:30pm kick-off live on ITV and Sky Sports
Paul Merson almost gave it to Newcastle but bottled it
------------------------------------------------------
Paul Merson has referenced Liverpool's Champions League disappointment as he's predicted who will emerge victorious on Sunday for [Sportskeeda](https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/news-paul-merson-predicts-winner-carabao-cup-final-liverpool-newcastle-united).
> "This is now a completely different game to what we were thinking earlier, thanks to Liverpool crashing out of the Champions League! A few weeks ago, Liverpool were still on course to win four trophies. But now, the EFL Cup is the only other trophy apart from the Premier League title that they can get their hands on. How quickly things change."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. 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 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 all comes down to whether Newcastle can turn up for this clash knowing and believing they've got every chance of beating Liverpool.
>
> **"Prediction:** Liverpool 1-1 Newcastle; _Liverpool to win on penalties"_
Extra Time and Penalties would surely only benefit Newcastle
------------------------------------------------------------
It does seem like Paul Merson keeps butting up against the same thing I do - belief. As Merson says, Liverpool's boys have been here before, they know how to handle the pressure and get over the line, while Newcastle were here two years ago, which should help settle nerves, they're still to take it all the way.
That being said, I thought Merson was going to give it to us for a moment there, but having us lose on penalties stings, man.
Would Liverpool have it in them to go through extra time twice in a week? Surely not. Extra time and penalties could surely only benefit Newcastle.