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NewcastleWorld writers select their Newcastle United starting XI for the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool.
Three Newcastle United writers, all with different opinions on what line-up Eddie Howe should name for the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool.
Our NewcastleWorld team, Liam Kennedy, Jordan Cronin and Charlie Bennett, have made their picks on what team they want to see at Wembley.
So, without further ado, let’s get into it. And let us know who YOU agree with most:
Jordan Cronin
I'd make one change from the win at West Ham - and there are no prizes for guessing who it is.
I must start by stating I am a massive fan of both goalkeepers. In his first 18 months at the club, Nick Pope was transformative, often pulling off saves that looked near enough impossible.
For that, you forgave his faults with the ball at his feet. However, when his stop-stopping isn’t as strong, and it hasn’t been of late whether that be because of injuries or a lack of confidence, you leave yourself open for criticism.
In my opinion, Pope is a better goalkeeper than Martin Dubravka - but not on current form.
A calming influence between the sticks and possessing the ability to help his teammates build from the back, Dubravka has enjoyed a better campaign to date and therefore earned his stripes at Wembley.
Jordan Cronin’s XI: Dubravka, Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento, Tonali, Bruno,Joelinton, Murphy, Barnes, Isak.
Liam Kennedy
Eddie Howe looks set to make two of the toughest calls he'll have to make all season - and knowing what he might do, I'm with him on one, and not the other.
Not for one second did I want Martin Dubravka dropped. He's been excellent since coming back into the fold, offering a calming presence for his backline, helping build from the back as well as making the team more press-resistant. All of that kind of goes out the window with Nick Pope.
But it's easy to forget, one was signed to replace the other, and significantly improved the team on arrival. Newcastle need Pope to find the 2022/23 version of himself, or the one in the San Siro last season, not the diluted shadow of his former self of late. I'm expecting some hairy moments with the ball at feet, but some big saves to go with it.
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And possibly even more controversially, I would select Joe Willock to give Newcastle legs. They're not going to have too much of the ball, whether we like that or not, so the thought of controlling proceedings isn't really a thing. Howe's men need to find a way to get out, and they've lost a big player from them in that regard in Gordon. Willock can provide that, playing wider, with Joelinton and the former Arsenal man interchanging.
I don't think he will go with this, mind, as I think Harvey Barnes has probably passed his cup final test with an involved show at the London Stadium. One thing in Barnes' favour, ahead of either Joelinton or Willock, is 100% is final third quality.
Liam Kennedy's XI: Pope, Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento; Tonali, Bruno, Willock; Murphy, Isak, Joelinton.
Charlie Bennett
I thought Eddie Howe’s team against West Ham was telling. And given the injuries and Anthony Gordon’s suspension, Newcastle need to build patterns - and rhythm - quickly.
It was a laboured performance at the London Stadium but, in truth, that is how Newcastle must play to beat Liverpool. For that reason, I would stick with the side that edged out the Hammers as Howe tries to conjure up a minor miracle in the capital.
A lot has been made about the goalkeeper situation. As brutal as dropping Martin Dubravka was, I could understand the logic. Newcastle need their best shot-stopper against Liverpool and Nick Pope is that guy.
However, he has only amplified the pre-Wembley nerves with three nervy performances. Pope missed the final in 2023 as Dubravka, a cup-tied Manchester United loanee, also watched from the sidelines. There is an irony to that saga two years on.
Howe’s only trick up his sleeve is to revert to a back five. While that worked wonders against Arsenal, in a cup final, the Magpies can show no signs of weakness.
They have been robbed of their electrifying winger, Gordon, to hit Liverpool with on the break.
Paris Saint-Germain, albeit with better players, showed Newcastle the way. Alexander Isak must have been purring while watching Ousmane Dembele run rings around Liverpool from a No.9 position.
For me, it has to be 4-3-3, with Harvey Barnes and Jacob Murphy supporting Isak. He who dares wins, Eddie. Go for the Liverpool throat. Leave it all out there. Make intensity the identity. Bring that elusive cup back to Newcastle and give those trophy-starved Toon fans the memory of a lifetime.
Charlie Bennett’s XI: Pope; Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento; Tonali, Guimaraes, Joelinton; Barnes, Murphy, Isak.