Liverpool have the chance to win the first silverware of the season on Sunday as they face Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final.
The Reds have a brilliant record in this competition in recent times, having won the trophy in both 2022 and 2024.
On Sunday they’ll be looking to secure their 11th League Cup win, extending their lead as record winners of the tournament.
Newcastle, by contrast, have never won this particular trophy and have not actually lifted major silverware of any kind since 1955.
Given those two records – and the fact that Liverpool are 15 points clear at the top of the Premier League table, the Reds go into Sunday’s game as clear favourites.
However, the Magpies are not to be taken lightly. And according to former Liverpool and Newcastle striker Andy Carroll, they may be about to spring a surprise at Wembley.
Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty Images
Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty Images
Andy Carroll backing Newcastle win
Carroll was a terrible signing for Liverpool back in 2011. The big Geordie striker flopped after becoming the club’s record addition.
It was all there for him to succeed at Anfield and Carroll has since admitted regret over his time with the Reds. But it was clear that he simply never wanted to be there.
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A Newcastle player at heart, Carroll returned to his boyhood club in 2019 and is now playing in the French fourth tier with Bordeaux.
The former England striker did actually win the League Cup with Liverpool in 2011, but speaking to Sky Sports ahead of Sunday’s final, he has firmly nailed his Newcastle colours to the mast.
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“I will be [at the game],” he says. “I’m going to have to ask the [Bordeaux] manager if I can leave straight after the game on Saturday, drive to Paris to fly home to get straight to the game on Sunday and take the kids.
“Me and my boys are wanting, obviously, the win and my dad’s coming with me so we’re all wanting the win but it’s going to be a tough one. If I’m going to go anything I’m going to go 2-1 to Newcastle.”
Eddie Howe ready for Liverpool
Although it’s a shame that Carroll didn’t really even give a thought to the club who gave him the only trophy of his career and made him a record signing, it’s understandable that he is backing Newcastle here.
The 36-year-old is a boyhood fan after all. Playing 58 times for Liverpool was never going to change that.
And Carroll will by pleased to hear that Newcastle manager Eddie Howe is in good spirts ahead of the game.
“We’ve had a really tough run in the Carabao Cup. We have gone from round to round,” Howe said during his pre-match press conference on Friday.
“There has been a lot less noise and emotion and hopefully that helps us in our performance in our game. We have been very much focused on our game plan. We are very positive.”