Arne Slot has some big decisions to make ahead of the Carabao Cup final.
Liverpool travel to Wembley on Sunday to take on Newcastle in a game that will mean a lot for both clubs.
Eddie Howe is looking to end the Magpies’ 70-year wait for silverware, while Slot is looking to join an exclusive group of Liverpool managers to win a trophy in their first season at Anfield.
The Reds received a big setback this week as the Premier League leaders were eliminated from the Champions League at the hands of PSG.
That contest also saw Trent Alexander-Arnold pick up an injury, which has caused Slot a headache ahead of the Carabao Cup final on Sunday.
It remains to be seen who replaces the 26-year-old in the role, but the Liverpool coach has received a warning about one star.
Photo by MB Media/Getty Images
Photo by MB Media/Getty Images
Arne Slot warned about Jarell Quansah after recent Newcastle performance
Jarell Quansah replaced Alexander-Arnold at right-back against PSG after the England international left the field of play.
The 22-year-old is expected to start in the role against Newcastle, although Slot has hinted that Curtis Jones could play the position on Sunday.
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Speaking ahead of the Carabao Cup final, former Liverpool star Don Hutchison has warned Slot about using Quansah at right-back after recalling the defender’s performance in the role during the crazy 3-3 draw with Newcastle back in December.
“Arne Slot was talking about potentially playing Curtis Jones at right back instead of Jarell Quansah,” Hutchison started by saying on ESPN FC.
“I take you back to the game in St James’ Park, the 3-3 game, and Joe Gomez played on the right side at centre back, and Jarell Quansah played at right back, and both of them had an awful day.
“It was a crazy game. Liverpool were way off it and went one down to an Alexander Isak strike. Then they were 2-1 down and the 3-3 in the end was a crazy game.”
“So I think Arne Slot has probably got that in the back of his mind, does he want to play Quansah at right back, where potentially might do something a little bit tricky and play Curtis Jones.”
Hutchison also sent Slot another warning, but this one was related to three Newcastle stars who could cause the Reds a lot of problems at Wembley.
Liverpool need to control three Newcastle stars during Carabao Cup final
Liverpool’s midfield trio are considered the best in the Premier League but there is a good argument to be had over whether Newcastle’s is better.
Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton and Sandro Tonali have been magnificent for the Magpies and having watched PSG’s midfield get the better of the Reds on Tuesday, fans of the Tyneside club will be hopeful their trio can do the same.
Speaking on ESPN FC, Hutchison has stated that the Newcastle midfield is better than Liverpool’s and mentions them as he believes they can have a big impact on the Carabao Cup final.
“In my humble opinion, and there’s no bias here even though I am a Newcastle fan, I think Newcastle have got the best midfield three in the country in Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton and Tonali,” the ESPN pundit stated.
The former Liverpool star continued by saying: “They also got the best striker in Alexander Isak who’s in form in the Premier League. So all of a sudden, the margins come that little bit closer towards Newcastle.”
This area of the pitch is one Slot will be aware of needing to control and after Tuesday, the Dutch coach will have a plan to make sure his midfield gets all the support it needs.