Liverpool were deservedly beaten in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday as Newcastle ended their long wait for a major trophy.
The Reds were favourites to win a fourth trophy at Wembley since 2022 but never got going against Eddie Howe’s team.
Right from the first minute, Newcastle were the better team. Having put so much into Tuesday’s clash with PSG at Anfield, Liverpool simply looked spent.
For supporters, there will hopefully still be the small matter of a Premier League title to celebrate.
However, given how overwhelmed and overworked the Liverpool squad have appeared recently, nobody should be taking that as a given just yet.
One man who is backing the Reds all way, though, is Newcastle legend Alan Shearer. After watching his beloved Magpies finally win a trophy, Shearer had some nice words for the beaten finalists.
Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
Alan Shearer hails ‘great club’ Liverpool
Along with TV presenters Ant and Dec, Shearer is perhaps the most famous Newcastle supporter in the country.
Terrific as he was during his time with the Magpies, the prolific striker was never able to win a trophy with them.
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As the cameras panned to Shearer on Sunday, he was clearly soaking up and enjoying the moment.
But Shearer also has a soft spot for Liverpool. The former England man won the Premier League title at Anfield with Blackburn and used to live not far from the stadium during his time with Rovers.
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As a result, it was perhaps not a surprise to see Shearer share a word for the runners-up whilst enjoying the celebrations on Sunday night.
“I know I’m p—– but ……. Liverpool are a great club and will win the league and have been brilliant this season,” he posted on X. “But the Geordies absolutely smashed them today and deserved it….”
Liverpool must not let Premier League slip
Shearer might be confident, and given they are 12 points clear of Arsenal with nine games to play, there is good reason to believe Liverpool are winning the Premier League.
However, after the past week supporter’s have had to endure, it’s only normal they’ll be feeling more than a little jittery.
The truth of the matter is that Liverpool need five wins out of nine to ensure the Premier League title returns to Anfield. That is a brilliant position to be in.
But having seen just one league won over the past 34 years, you cannot blame fans for being worried. The team look shattered.
From this position, it would be the greatest collapse in Premier League history for Liverpool to throw the title away. Until it’s mathematically done, though, a small, nagging worry will remain.