Newcastle United's Martin Dubravka celebates against Arsenal
Newcastle United's Martin Dubravka celebates against Arsenal
Eddie Howe will name the Newcastle United starting XI which will walk out at Wembley this afternoon, knowing he has some big decisions to make.
Short of Lewis Hall, Sven Botman and Anthony Gordon, Howe must devise a plan to get the better of Liverpool. The men handed a starting place today will have the chance to write their names into the club's history by ending the 70-year domestic trophy drought.
Of course it could be that someone comes off the bench to steal the glory and become the match-winner, but who should Howe pick to start the game? Here, our team of NUFC writers have their say.
Lee Ryder
Personally, I think there is only one real decision to be made and that's between the posts. If I'm torn over who should start the game in goal, spare a thought for Eddie Howe!
I'd be tempted to go with Martin Dubravka because he's a cool customer and has the experience. Nick Pope would not let anybody down either and I'd fully support that decision if Eddie decides to go with it.
It's just I think Dubravka - on the back of the two Arsenal games - has the edge. Elsewhere I don't see the back four being broken up and I'd go with the same back four that faced West Ham including England's Dan Burn!
The midfield is an obvious choice too while attack wise Howe is short on numbers. The 10 starters at West Ham and Dubravka is my call.
NUFC XI: Dubravka, Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento, Bruno, Joelinton, Tonali, Barnes, Murphy, Isak
Ciaran Kelly
If you had asked me a week ago, I would have moved Joelinton out to the left but I have since had second thoughts, particularly after Trent Alexander-Arnold's injury. Amid the absences elsewhere in the team, it is easy to forget that Newcastle still have a midfield capable of going up against the very best. This will be such a crucial battle on Sunday so I would be reluctant to break Joelinton, Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali up.
The big call, as a result, is who plays in goal. Again, seven days ago, I would have given you a different answer. However, there has been too much chopping and changing between the posts of late and I would stick with Nick Pope after he kept Newcastle's first league clean sheet in three months against West Ham on Monday night. It is a position Newcastle need continuity and stability in going into a game like this.
Pope has been far from his best but, on his day, the England international is still capable of saving the unsaveable and that still counts for a lot, particularly when facing Mohamed Salah and Co. Pope will also be desperate to help his side end their long wait for silverware after missing the 2023 final through suspension.
NUFC XI: Pope, Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento, Tonali, Bruno, Joelinton, Murphy, Isak, Barnes
Aaron Stokes
Eddie Howe this week admitted his Newcastle United squad was looking rather threadbare - and I suspect that will be clear at Wembley on Sunday. Despite this, there is still only a small number of selection dilemmas for the Magpies boss to ponder.
The key decision to make is who plays between the sticks - and, for me, it's Martin Dubravka. Nick Pope may have been recalled for recent Premier League games but the Slovakian has been the more confident of the duo since the start of December.
The back four and midfield three picks itself in Kieran Trippier (R), Fabian Schar, Dan Burn, Tino Livramento (L) + Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali, along with Jacob Murphy and Alexander Isak in attack. For me, it's Harvey Barnes over Joe Willock on the left for the final spot.
NUFC XI: Dubravka, Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento; Tonali, Bruno, Joelinton; Murphy, Isak, Barnes
Stuart Jamieson
Before Trent Alexander-Arnold was ruled out, I would perhaps have opted for a combination of Joelinton and Joe Willock on the left-hand side of United's midfield, to give Tino Livramento a hand against the twin threat of TAA and Mo Salah.
Of course the Egyptian must not be allowed too much time and space on the ball - but with Liverpool having no recognised right-back, I'm going for Harvey Barnes, who MUST run at the Reds back line and cause panic. Willock is also a great player to bring on to stretch the game when legs start to tire.
The rest of the side almost picks itself, apart from in goal, where I've gone for Nick Pope, purely because he's the No 1 keeper. I've no issue with Martin Dubravka getting the nod, but I'm not a fan of chopping and changing.
NUFC XI: Pope, Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento, Tonali, Guimaraes, Joelinton, Murphy, Barnes, Isak.
Pick your starting XI
Don't agree with our selection? Well here's your chance to pick your starting XI for today's game.