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The Liverpool view ahead of Sunday’s Carabao Cup final against Newcastle United at Wembley.
It’s fair to say Newcastle United couldn’t face a tougher opponent in the quest to end their 70-year domestic trophy drought.
Liverpool are the Premier League champions in waiting, currently sitting 15 points clear at the top of the table. And to get the low down on the Reds, we spoke to LiverpoolWorld’s lead football writer Will Rooney.
From the midweek Champions League exit to Paris Saint-Germain, team selection and the threat of Alexander Isak, Will has it covered.
What’s the fallout been like from Liverpool’s Champions League exit?
WR: “It has been taken as well as you could have hoped for. Yes, going out of the Champions League is a blow, especially as Liverpool finished top of the new league phase but got no reward for it in the knockout stage.
“However, there wasn't a supporter who felt there was injustice in losing to PSG on penalties. The French side were the better of the two teams over both legs and deserved it. Liverpool feel they were beaten by the potential winners of the competition, losing in the best way possible. That has to be a crumb of comfort. Had the Reds not been 15 points clear at the top of the Premier League then there'd have been significantly more disappointment”
Has it bruised Liverpool’s ego, or will it galvanise them ahead of Sunday?
WR: “I don't think it will do either. The squad has a plethora of experience, which means there are level heads. Players like Virgil van Dijk, Alisson Becker and Mo Salah won't allow team-mates to get too low but won't want them to put extra pressure on the final.”
To Newcastle, this game is life or death. How much is riding on it for Liverpool?
WR: “Arne Slot was asked a similar question at his pre-match press conference. He insisted that the game meant as much to Liverpool as it did to Newcastle. Granted, the Reds do not have as much pressure on them as Newcastle but every player and fan wants as much silverware as they can get their hands on.”
It looks as though Jarell Quansah will start at right-back. How on edge, if at all, are Liverpool about that?
WR: “It's not ideal. He is Liverpool's fourth-choice right-back and will be operating in a makeshift role. It's not been a straightforward season for Quansah but a few dips were bound to happen. They do with every young player.
“He has played a right-back a few times this campaign and did well off the bench against PSG. Had Anthony Gordon been available, there would have more trepidation given the problems the former Everton winger gave Quansah during the 3-3 draw at St James' Park in December.
“For me, the main worry is how it changes Liverpool from an attacking sense, with Alexander-Arnold and the hamstrung Conor Bradley wanting to get forward as much as possible, while Salah is not accustomed to Quansah's traits on the flank.”
And what about the goalkeeping situation? Will it be Alisson or Caoimhin Kelleher?
WR: “It will be the latter. He is the designated Carabao Cup goalkeeper, with Alisson only playing the semi-final first leg against Tottenham to build rhythm. Kelleher has proven he is more than capable, having been between the posts for the last two Carabao Cup final wins.”
With 22 goals to his name this season, How much did Liverpool fear Alexander Isak?
WR: “The relief when Isak was a surprise absence against Liverpool at Anfield a couple of weeks ago was palpable in the media area. Not just because he is a bona fide world-class star but the problems he has caused the Reds in the past. He has scored three times against Liverpool and has proven somewhat to be Van Djk's kryptonite.”
How do you expect Liverpool to line-up?
WR: “Kelleher; Quansah. Konate, van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Diaz; Jota.”
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