Liverpool’s torrid week ended in a second heartbreak on Sunday as the Reds were beaten 2-1 in the Carabao Cup final.
Arne Slot insisted he wouldn’t need to motivate his players ahead after the midweek heartbreak against Paris Saint-Germain and that the game didn’t mean more to the trophy-starved Geordies, but that couldn’t have been further from the case.
Eddie Howe’s side were at their best from minute one, limiting Liverpool to one shot on target before injury-time and reducing a side repeatedly labeled as the best in the world this week to a misfiring, timid outfit bereft of a plan and confidence.
The winning margin could have been more had it not been for Liverpool keeper Caoimhin Kelleher, who made several huge saves to keep his side in the contest.
In just a few days, Liverpool’s chances of a treble have been reduced to an almost certain single trophy success, and the disappointment was evident at full-time as Liverpool’s players dropped to the ground on one half of the field as Newcastle’s jubilant heroes sprinted in the other direction.
All bar one of those in red slumped dejected, but Virgil van Dijk, a man who always leads by example, strode over to the Newcastle players within minutes of the full-time whistle to shake hands and offer his congratulations. It was a classy moment from a player who always conducts himself with esteem.
Sadly, the Dutchman could lead his side to success at Wembley but, 12 months on from scoring the winner in this fixture against Chelsea, he was able to appreciate the oppositions’ emotions. Andy Robertson replicated the gesture soon after as Newcastle’s players made their way down the stairs and back onto the pitch at full-time. He’s also experienced the highs of lows that elite-level football throws up.
The Scotland international struggled on Liverpool’s left-hand side and was partly at fault for Newcastle’s second goal as he was easily pushed aside by Jacob Murphy before his header was swept home by Alexander Isak.
Robertson was one of several underwhelming performers, along with the likes of Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch and Mohamed Salah.