Newcastle United are looking to end a 70-year wait for a domestic trophy but must beat the defending Champions to do so.
The month of March has been full of ups and downs for Eddie Howe’s side. They were knocked out of the FA Cup after former Magpie Yankuba Minteh scored against them. Then Anthony Gordon was sent off meaning he was suspended for the Carabao Cup final.
Newcastle United were then rocked by the news that Lewis Hall and Sven Botman would miss the final after picking up injuries. Both players have had surgery, with Hall ruled out for the rest of the season.
However, the last week has been more positive on Tyneside. Newcastle’s win against West Ham United set the tone ahead of the final. The day after they watched Liverpool go 120 gruelling minutes with PSG in the Champions League before being knocked out on penalties.
Arne Slot confirmed Trent Alexander-Arnold is out injured, so he will be forced to play a makeshift Liverpool player at right-back.
Wayne Rooney thinks Liverpool will win, but has sent a clear message of what he is hoping will happen on Sunday.
Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
Wayne Rooney’s Carabao Cup hope after Newcastle prediction
Rooney blamed Newcastle fans for their trophy sorrows, claiming that the players and fans go into the game with far too much emotion.
Newcastle’s trophy history has been nonexistent since 1969, losing every final they have played in since. Club legend Alan Shearer shared an ’embarrassing’ Newcastle moment after losing the 1998 FA Cup final to Arsenal where the club put on an open-top bus for the fans, presumably to parade the cup around.
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Club bosses haven’t planned a trophy parade if they win, but the players can make a big argument for having one if they win.
Speaking on the Overlap, Rooney spoke about the cup final alongside the likes of Gary Neville and Roy Keane. Rooney pointed out a familiar coincidence from last season which could repeat itself.
“(Getting knocked out of the Champions League) is what happened last year,” he said.
“Out of the Champions League then didn’t they go out of the FA Cup in the same week?
“They had a week where their season just fell apart, hopefully, that’s the game plan again.”
Who can be a Carabao Cup hero for Newcastle United
There’s no doubt that this Newcastle team will go down in history as one of their best with a win on Sunday. Howe has already left a lasting impression on the fans but can cement his legacy as a Newcastle legend by becoming the first manager to win a cup since Joe Harvey in 1969.
The current crop of players also have the potential to etch themselves into the history books. Fans will be looking for them to deliver at Wembley.
The main star fans will look to will undoubtedly be Alexander Isak. The Swede has enjoyed a sensational season for Newcastle so far, scoring 22 goals in all competitions.
Isak will battle Virgil van Dijk at Wembley, holding the mental advantage after scoring against him at St James’ Park earlier this season.
Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes has been dreaming of lifting a trophy for the Magpies since he joined in 2022. He’ll be full of confidence after scoring in the win against West Ham United on Monday.