JAMIE REDKNAPP AND LES FERDINAND Q&A: The former Liverpool midfielder and ex-Newcastle striker look ahead to this Sunday's Carabao Cup final at Wembley between their old clubs
Newcastle United v Brighton & Hove Albion at St. James' Park, Newcastle Upon Tyne ----- Newcastle's Alexander Isak celebrates his goal.
Alexander Isak has been linked with joining Liverpool
(
Image: Iain Buist/Newcastle Chronicle)
News
Politics
Football
Celebs
TV
Shopping
Royals
Jamie Redknapp and Les Ferdinand both played in the Premier League classic that became known as the Game of the Century.
Liverpool’s epic 4-3 victory over Newcastle at Anfield still gets replayed regularly on Sky Sports, almost 29 years after the event. Since then, the two clubs have clashed on 56 occasions, with the Toon prevailing just eight times. Newcastle haven’t beaten the Merseysiders once in their last 17 meetings.
So, with Arne Slot’s men romping towards the Premier League title, Eddie Howe’s side go into the Carabao Cup final as underdogs. Newcastle are chasing their first trophy since winning the 1969 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, the forerunner to the Europa League but a tournament that UEFA now refuses to recognise.
Since the Magpies lifted their last domestic trophy, the FA Cup in 1955, Liverpool have won no fewer than 62 pieces of silverware. Former Liverpool midfielder Redknapp and ex-Newcastle striker Ferdinand have given their opinion of what will happen at Wembley.
[
Liverpool boss Arne Slot hints at replacement for Trent Alexander-Arnold](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/liverpool-boss-arne-slot-hints-34865633)
[
Alexander Isak sends defiant message to Liverpool as Newcastle star speaks out on future](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/alexander-isak-newcastle-liverpool-transfer-34860952)
Would it be a shock if Newcastle win?
LES: It’s a cup final, a knockout game, and on any given day Newcastle are capable of putting in a performance that makes you think, ‘Where did that come from?’ Just look at what they did against Arsenal in the semis. Liverpool could turn up with a little bit of complacency, especially given their record against Newcastle.
But Liverpool are going to win the Premier League for a reason - they’re the best team in the country - so Newcastle need every single player to put in a nine-out-of-10 or 10-out-of-10 performance to win.
JAMIE: Newcastle have been a bit inconsistent, but I was at the second leg of the semi-final against Arsenal and thought they showed a remarkable level of maturity. After winning 2-0 at the Emirates, I was really impressed with how they managed the tie and handled the expectations of the fans.
I think it’s a good thing that Newcastle were here two years ago, when maybe it felt like they were happy just to be there and it all got a bit too much for them. This time feels different. This time they won’t be happy just to be in a Wembley final. They will want to win.
I worry that Newcastle’s left side has been decimated by Anthony Gordon’s ban and the injury to Lewis Hall. But Alexander Isak is the only player I’ve seen give Virgil van Dijk a tough time this season. I wouldn’t say it’s a 50/50 game - but it isn’t far off because we don’t know where Liverpool are physically and psychologically after the PSG game.
Newcastle United's Alexander Isak breaks past Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Liverpool at St. James's Park in Newcastle, United Kingdom, on December 4, 2024
Alexander Isak troubled Virgil van Dijk in December
(
Image:
NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Are you surprised by what Arne Slot has achieved in his first season at Liverpool?
JAMIE: You only have to look at history to see how exceptional the job is that Slot is doing. Look at how Manchester United have struggled since Sir Alex Ferguson retired; look at how long it has taken Arsenal to start competing at the top level again after Arsene Wenger left. It’s incredibly hard to follow in the footsteps of an icon - and let’s be honest, Jurgen Klopp was an icon at Anfield.
He was more than a manager. He was a driving force in every aspect of the football club and the community. I was really nervous for Slot. I thought he might do okay and that finishing in the top four would be a good season. But I can’t think of another manager who has come into the Premier League and had a better season than him.
Klopp would have walked away last summer thinking, ‘I’ve taken this team as far as it can go’ - and a new guy has come in and made Liverpool better. That is an amazing manager. How impressive is the job eddie howe is doing building a team for owners with big ambitions?
LES: Newcastle were in the bottom three when Eddie came in and built a team using a lot of players who many outsiders would have thought weren’t good enough to take the club where they want to be. Look at how he’s improved Jacob Murphy, how he’s transformed Joelinton into an accomplished midfielder. He has got a tune out of these players.
Eddie has taken them into the Champions League, got them into the Carabao Cup final two years ago - and he has been building a squad despite being unable to spend the money that would have come with having the richest owners in football a few years ago. If he can get across the line on Sunday then that will be another massive step forward.
JAMIE: Where will they build his statue, Les?
LES: I’d say next to Sir Bobby Robson’s - but there’s talk about them knocking the stadium down so maybe that will be part of the plans.
Arne Slot has the chance to win his first trophy with Liverpool (
Image:
Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Do Newcastle need to start winning trophies and qualifying for the Champions League on a regular basis to keep Alexander Isak?
LES: For me, Alexander isn’t just the best all-round striker in the Premier League, he’s one of the best in Europe. Teams are going to be sniffing around him if he isn’t playing in the Champions League. I wouldn’t be surprised if Liverpool wanted him or Real Madrid or Barcelona because he is someone that the top teams in Europe will be looking at.
Alexander will have his ambitions. I just hope he gets where he wants wearing a black and white shirt, but for that to happen Newcastle have to build a team that is in contention every single season.
It’s the same with Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali. As much as they will love playing for the Toon Army, those guys will want to win trophies and play in the Champions League. Hopefully, winning the Carabao Cup will be the springboard.
Where will Isak be in the pantheon of great Newcastle strikers if he is the match-winner?
LES: Newcastle fans will never forget Jackie Milburn, Malcolm Macdonald and Alan Shearer - but if Isak was to produce a performance like the ones he brought to the two semi-final games, playing against the best centre-back pairing in the country in the shape of William Saliba and Gabriel, then he would be guaranteed legendary status on Tyneside. As would the rest of the team.
Like Jamie said earlier, he made life very tough for Virgil van Dijk. It’s the best all-round striker against the best all-round defender. What a match-up. I can’t wait for them to get it on at Wembley.
Les Ferdinand is revered as one of Newcastle's best ever strikers
(
Image:
Getty Images)
Could Isak fill the void at Anfield if Mohamed Salah leaves?
JAMIE: I love the Geordies - but they will be hammering me after this because who wouldn’t want Alexander Isak? He’s a phenomenal player. Les won’t say it, but he was one of the great Newcastle strikers you asked about. Les and Shearer were just unbelievable - and Isak is in that mould. That is how highly I rate this guy.
There are moments, especially when he drifts left and then cuts in to attack, that he is Thierry Henry-esque. It’s like, ‘Wow.’ He is so graceful in the way he moves, just like Thierry was.
Newcastle have given him a platform and I am sure everyone at the club wants him to stay forever - and if Newcastle start winning trophies then maybe he will start to think he can achieve all his dreams at St James’ Park. But he is going to be coveted by everyone. If Salah was to leave and there was a chance that Newcastle were prepared to sell Isak, then Liverpool would bite their hands off.
What are your thoughts on the contract issues with Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold?
JAMIE: When you’ve got players coming to the end of their contracts, sometimes their performance levels go up because they’re playing for their futures.
I honestly thought we had seen the best of Salah and that he might go to Saudi last year, but he has had his best-ever season and he’s been phenomenal. Virgil hasn’t surprised me because he’s a Rolls Royce of a player who looks like he’s got another four or five years left in him. Trent is a tough one, because he’s a local lad. He had a wobble against Manchester United, but he's handled an awkward situation really well.
I spoke to Virgil the other day and he told me nothing had been decided. He did have a twinkle in his eye, that made me think he will stay, but I really don’t know. I think if one of the three will leave it will be Trent, because he’s won everything at Liverpool and you couldn’t begrudge anyone going to Real Madrid.
LES: When you’re in the last year of your contract and a new manager comes in, you accept that he’s got nothing to do with your contract. Arne has been able to say to them ‘go out and perform.’ He hasn’t been saying to them ‘give me a performance and I’ll get you a new deal’ because the contract talks for all three players would have been on-going for maybe over a year.
The three players have gone out and proved to Liverpool and any other interested clubs that they are still at the very top of their game and still have so much to offer.
Jamie Redknapp revealed that he's spoken to Virgil van Dijk (
Image:
Offside via Getty Images) Don't Miss
Would winning the Carabao Cup finally awaken football’s biggest sleeping giant?
LES: I know what the plan is at Newcastle and the trajectory the club wants to go in. To achieve that they need to keep Isak, keep adding to the squad and start winning trophies because the Saudi owners have been stunted by FFP.
They are talking about building a new St James’ Park with a 70,000 capacity. Can you imagine that? I played there when the capacity was only 36,000 and you couldn’t hear yourself think! They are putting building blocks in place to take the club to the very top - and I can promise you that they will get there. It’s just how soon
JAMIE: These two fanbases are the loudest in the English game. They are so vast, so passionate, so loud, that it’s going to be an electric atmosphere - and that could play a part because nerves will be jangling. Okay, as far as Liverpool are concerned, this is just another trophy. But for Newcastle this could change the history of the club.
What will the scoreline be?
LES: I’m going 2-1, Newcastle.
JAMIE: I think it will be 2-1 to Liverpool.
It's a Big Weekend of sport on Sky Sports and NOW, featuring the Carabao Cup Final, Arsenal v Chelsea and Leicester City v Manchester United in the Premier League, Old Firm and Steel City derbies, Australian Grand Prix, tennis from Indian Wells, and The Players Championship, all live.
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Sky Sports deal
Sky Sports launches discounted Premier League package £35 (was £43)
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle in an unbeatable new deal that saves £192 and includes 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky
Get the deal here