Eddie Howe has some big decisions to make for Newcastle United’s Carabao Cup final against Liverpool.
The Newcastle United manager will be without some key players at Wembley.
Anthony Gordon is suspended, while Lewis Hall and Sven Botman are injured. They will all miss the Carabao Cup final, which is a major blow.
But Eddie Howe will have confidence in the players that are available, as he weighs up how to stop a Liverpool side that are top of the Premier League.
The Magpies are the underdogs, and this is Geordie Boot Boys’ predicted Newcastle United starting XI for the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool.
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Eddie Howe makes Carabao Cup final goalkeeper call
Fans are desperate to know who Howe will pick to play in goal at Wembley.
Nick Pope and Martin Dubravka have dovetailed in recent weeks, and it is uncertain who will get the nod on Sunday.
Howe has hinted that Pope will start, despite a lot of supporters wanting Dubravka to be reinstated.
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However, Pope silenced some critics against West Ham on Monday night, and is better suited to facing Liverpool than the Slovakian stopper.
Newcastle’s new look left-hand side starts against Liverpool
The Toon boss tried a new look left-hand side against West Ham, with Tino Livramento at left-back and Harvey Barnes in front of him.
Howe was happy with the Newcastle duo, hinting that they would continue together at Wembley.
That felt like mind games, but Geordie Boot Boys are predicted that Howe will stick with Livramento and Barnes against Liverpool.
That is who Alan Shearer wants to start for Newcastle, with Barnes’ inclusion providing the biggest question mark.
But Howe will surely want his best midfield trio of Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Joelinton to start against Liverpool, which will mean the latter cannot be utilised on the left.
Therefore, Barnes could get the nod.
Alexander Isak starts in attack for Newcastle United
The 27-year-old will join Alexander Isak and Jacob Murphy in attack for Newcastle United.
Throughout the build-up to the final, there has been so much speculation over Isak’s fitness – especially after he missed Newcastle’s loss to Liverpool on February 26th.
READ MORE: Who is Alexander Isak? Age, Height, Family, Nationality, Roots
But the Swedish striker has started both of Newcastle’s games since then, and appears fit to start at Wembley.
He has been the Magpies’ best player this season, and Newcastle’s chances of winning the final could depend on how he performs.
Predicted XI vs Liverpool: Pope; Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento; Bruno, Tonali, Joelinton; Murphy, Isak, Barnes.