Liverpool manager Arne Slot shows his frustration as his side lost to Nottingham Forest
Liverpool manager Arne Slot shows his frustration as his side lost to Nottingham Forest
Newcastle United will have to do something only four sides have managed all season on Sunday . . . beat Liverpool. Arne Slot's side have been in incredible form since he took over from Jurgen Klopp in the summer, losing just once in the Premier League all season.
Eddie Howe and Co must somehow find a way to get the better of the Reds when the two sides go head-to-head in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley, but while the Merseyside outfit are formidable, they CAN be beaten. Nottingham Forest claimed a memorable Anfield win early in the season, while Tottenham recorded a 1-0 first-leg win in the semi-final of this competition in January, only to lose 4-0 in the second leg as Liverpool earned their place in the final.
Plymouth Argyle pulled off a shock 1-0 FA Cup success against what was a weakened side, while Paris Saint Germain ended Liverpool's Champions League hopes by winning at 1-0 at Anfield on Tuesday before emerging victorious on penalties. So what does it take to get the better of the Reds and what can Newcastle learn from those defeats? Here, we get the lowdown from those involved in key wins over Spurs this season - and those watching on.
Pack the midfield and use your pace
Sarah Clapson, Nottingham Live
It was a tactical masterclass from Nuno Espirito Santo when Nottingham Forest beat Liverpool back in September. Forest went to Anfield with a very specific game plan - and it worked to a T.
Nuno packed the centre of the pitch as Forest approached the game with the aim of keeping it tight for an hour or so. From front to back, the whole team put in a monumental shift to frustrate Arne Slot’s side and take the sting out of their forward threat.
Forest had to sacrifice some of their own attacking talent to begin with. But having given themselves that platform, they were then able to introduce the likes of Callum Hudson-Odoi and Anthony Elanga to use their pace and hit Liverpool on the counterattack. The duo duly combined to score what proved to be the winner that day. It was a big team effort, though. Belief and hard work are required to have any joy against Liverpool.
Control the right moments
Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo after their 1-0 Anfield win
The players did it so well, we were against the ropes but we stayed in the game and found our moment. I am really happy for the boys. Liverpool are so good, you cannot play them and ignore the quality they have. Defensively we were really good. It was impossible for our wingers to last 90 minutes, they had to track the runners so we needed fresh legs in the second half.
We played well, we controlled the game in the right moments and harmed them. This is a moment to enjoy for our fans. It doesn't last long but our fans are amazing and this is a big help for the players.
Callum Hudson-Odoi of Nottingham Forest celebrates with Anthony Elanga after scoring against Liverpool at Anfield
Callum Hudson-Odoi of Nottingham Forest celebrates with Anthony Elanga after scoring against Liverpool at Anfield
Make the most of your luck
Luis Enrique, Paris Saint-Germain manager after the Champions League win
It’s difficult to say, because this competition isn’t played on consistency. You can be eliminated for two games. You have to be very strong at specific moments. We suffered a lot because of the first leg, because of the result, because it wasn’t deserved. But that’s soccer, and sometimes it’s unfair.
Today we were a bit lucky, they hit the post and Donnarumma was like Alisson in the first game. And in the end, soccer will take away some things and give you others. We’re happy to be moving forward, and it’s a great moment for the fans and the club.
Keep your composure
Ange Postecoglous after Tottenham's 1-0 Carabao Cup win
When people said my midfield set up was a little bit more conservative today, that's because I only had three midfielders to choose from. The others weren't available, so we certainly went about it the same way. Look, Liverpool don't allow you to dominate the game the way other teams do, and our players every three days are playing a game of football, without rest, and you saw Liverpool at the end, they put on some significant talent, some really good footballers, some top footballers.
I couldn't do the same, and yet the guys who are out there are consistently doing it, so maybe we're not as dominant as we want it to be, but there's good reason, not through the lack of trying or different intent in terms of how we went about it.. We had to compose ourselves and deal with that and re-organise. I'm super proud of the players, I have been all along. It hasn't been through the want of trying that our results haven't been as good, it's certainly not been on them, it's just that we haven't been able to get the consistency to get the results that we need. I'm just proud that they feel good tonight, that they get the rewards for their hard work.