Rafa Benitez will be watching the Carabao Cup final between Newcastle United and Liverpool closely.
The Magpies are looking to end their 70-year wait for a trophy on Sunday by lifting the Carabao Cup at Wembley Stadium in front of over 30,000 Newcastle United fans.
Eddie Howe wants to hear the noise from Newcastle fans on Sunday, he, the players and the fans know they will be a big part of helping them get across the line against a Liverpool side that has looked unstoppable at times this season.
However, Newcastle can take some confidence in their recent win against West Ham United and Liverpool’s most recent game against PSG where they were beaten on penalties after 120 minutes. Trent Alexander-Arnold will miss the final after picking up an ankle injury, meaning one of Joelinton or Harvey Barnes will most likely come up against Jarrell Quansah at Wembley.
Rafa Benitez said Newcastle deserve to beat Liverpool due to the fact it has been so long since they’ve last won a trophy. Now, Benitez believes he has found the exact way Newcastle can go back to Tyneside with the silverware.
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Rafa Benitez shared Newcastle’s Carabao Cup game plan
Newcastle can qualify for Europe on Sunday, with automatic qualification for the Europa Conference League lying in wait for the winner.
Despite that, Benitez thinks Newcastle can qualify for the Champions League via the Premier League this season. The Magpies are currently sixth in the table, level on goal difference with Manchester City who are likely to occupy the final spot for Europe’s top competition.
In an interview with the Chronicle, Benitez shared what Newcastle must do in order to beat Liverpool at Wembley.
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“Newcastle United can play with intensity from the first minute and if they are right at the beginning, they can get results,” Benitez said. “They have shown during the season.
“When they start on the front foot and score goals, normally, they win. Liverpool are a difficult opponent, but it’s a final. It won’t be easy, but they will have chances.”
Newcastle have learned from Carabao Cup heartbreak in the past, according to club captain Bruno Guimaraes. The Brazilian will be the first captain to lift a trophy for the Magpies since Bob Moncur lifted the Fairs Cup in 1969.
Rafa Benitez’s influence will be felt at Wembley Stadium
While Benitez won’t be at Wembley for the final, his presence will be. The Spaniard spent three memorable years on Tyneside between 2016 and 2019, guiding Newcastle back up to the Premier League following relegation to the Championship.
The two seasons after were mid-table finishes but it led fans to believe that Newcastle were on course for something good in the future.
Years under Steve Bruce were anything but memorable, with the North East-born manager finishing in similar places to Benitez but showing much less ambition than his predecessor.
On Sunday, one player who was brought to the club by Benitez will be in line to start. Fabian Schar joined the Magpies in 2018 for £3m, he has been sensational since Howe arrived making the original transfer fee look like a real bargain.
Elsewhere, players like Jamaal Lascelles won’t feature on Sunday through injury but should still be at Wembley to celebrate the occasion.