Both Newcastle United and Liverpool will have key players missing for the Carabao Cup final.
Neither side will be at full strength on Sunday, with Newcastle United missing two players who would be guaranteed starters for Eddie Howe.
Anthony Gordon is suspended, while Lewis Hall is injured. The Magpies will not have their regular left-hand side, while Sven Botman is also absent with a knee injury.
As for Liverpool, Trent Alexander-Arnold is injured and will not play in the Carabao Cup final.
Both Newcastle and Liverpool have injuries ahead of the final, but Reds boss Arne Slot believes it is a compliment to both clubs that more players are not unavailable.
Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Arne Slot impressed more players are not injured for the Carabao Cup final
Ahead of the final at Wembley on Sunday, Slot has spoken to the media.
He was asked how the absences of Gordon, Hall and Alexander-Arnold will impact the balance of the game.
“I said it two days ago, in this part of the season in England it is almost impossible to have all your players fit,” he said.
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“Both teams have two, three or four players that cannot play. That is almost a privilege. So many teams have had more than two or three injuries. Two or three injuries is the minimum you can expect in a league like this after four months of non-stop football.
“It is a big compliment to the Newcastle staff and our staff that so many players are available.
“Yes, Trent is a very important player, and Anthony Gordon is a very important player for them. But the good thing for both managers is that there are still a lot of quality players available.”
Carabao Cup final is not bigger for Newcastle United
Sunday is absolutely massive for Newcastle United.
The Toon Army will travel to London in huge numbers, desperate for the club to end its trophy drought.
In contrast, Liverpool are Wembley regulars, while they are also the holders of the Carabao Cup. They are no strangers when it comes to silverware.
However, Slot has rejected the notion that the 2025 Carabao Cup final is bigger for Newcastle United than it is for Liverpool.
“I don’t go along with that,” he said.
“A final in this country is always special because of the fact there are so many strong teams.
“If you reach a final, it is always a big moment for them and also for us. We have two cups but you cannot take a final for granted in this country. We don’t play a final every year. It is special for them, but also for us.”
Slot is right. There is added importance for him, as it is his first final in English football since replacing Jurgen Klopp at Anfield.
It has the makings of an outstanding final. In recent weeks, there had been a feeling on Tyneside that Liverpool were overwhelming favourites. However, the mood has shifted over the past few days, and there is suddenly more belief that Newcastle United can get over the line.
Eddie Howe’s side are certainly the underdogs, but they are more than capable of an upset.