Arne Slot’s Liverpool had no answer for Eddie Howe and Newcastle United in the 2025 Carabao Cup final.
Local hero Dan Burn and Alexander Isak scored either side of half-time to put Newcastle United into a commanding lead in London.
Federico Chiesa scored late on to give the travelling Toon fans a scare, but Newcastle handled the pressure superbly to end their 70-year wait for a trophy.
Eddie Howe got his tactics spot on, with Newcastle not afraid to press high and go toe-to-toe with a Liverpool side who have dominated the Premier League this season.
Newcastle fans had Wembley shaking as they created an electric atmosphere, and ultimately the Magpies were unlucky to not leave with a bigger lead.
Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
Arne Slot applauds Newcastle United game plan vs Liverpool
Despite being underdogs, Newcastle played Liverpool off the park at Wembley and were deserved winners on the day.
Jamie Carragher admitted he was wrong after he predicted a comfortable Liverpool victory, and manager Arne Slot took the defeat gracefully.
After the full-time whistle, Slot congratulated Newcastle players on the pitch and in his post-match comments he pointed out one aspect of Howe’s game plan which worked brilliantly.
MORE NEWCASTLE STORIES
“We played the game as they wanted it to be, and that’s a compliment to them,” Slot said via Sky Sports.
“We didn’t find a rhythm and they were really aggressive, trying to make sure we couldn’t bring the ball out from the back. When we did they defended really well around their box.
“So the game went their way.
“They went man-for-man in a high press and they have players who are very strong and good in the duels. So every header and every duel they went for.
“A very good game plan from them, and a deserved win for Newcastle.”
Newcastle United’s statement trophy win
After the heartbreak of two years ago, Howe made changes to Newcastle’s approach.
There was a growing confidence at Newcastle that things would be different this time around – and they were.
Newcastle are aiming to be “best in class” in every department and PIF launched ‘Project 2030’ earlier this month aiming for the Magpies to be top contenders within the next five years.
One of the four aims within that project was to win a trophy – that can now be ticked off after Sunday’s wonderful performance.
But Howe and PIF will want plenty more silverware to add to Newcastle’s trophy cabinet in the years to come.