Liverpool were soundly bested by Newcastle in Sunday's Carabao Cup final, and Gary Lineker agreed with colleague Micah Richards on one reason the Reds came off second-best
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Gary Lineker on The Rest Is Football
Gary Lineker agreed with Micah Richards on one point regarding Liverpool's Carabao Cup final defeat
(Image: The Rest is Football)
Former Everton striker Gary Lineker has agreed Liverpool sorely missed Trent Alexander-Arnold in Sunday's Carabao Cup final loss. Arne Slot's men suffered a 2-1 defeat to Newcastle at Wembley as the Reds missed a second shot at silverware in less than a week.
Liverpool were dumped out of the Champions League last 16 following a penalty shootout defeat to Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday. But despite substitute Federico Chiesa pulling back a late consolation for Slot's side, Newcastle were deserving winners in the capital.
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A thumping header from Dan Burn, followed by Alexander Isak's smartly taken half-volley, made the difference for the Magpies. And Micah Richards broke down the impact of Alexander-Arnold's absence after he failed to recover from an ankle injury in time to make the match.
"They just didn't have the same flow they usually have. And you know Trent on a big pitch - he's a great passer of the ball," he said on The Rest Is Football podcast as Lineker nodded along. "Whether he's driving forward, whether he's getting on the ball in that space, making things happen. I just thought, from Liverpool's point of view, they really missed him."
Lineker - who scored 40 goals in just 57 appearances for the Toffees before joining Barcelona - strongly concurred with that point. And the 64-year-old sounded his agreement to Richards' point on Alexander-Arnold's passing abilities as he responded with an: "Oh, yeah."
In addition to Alexander-Arnold missing out due to a knock, it didn't help that Slot was also missing alternative Conor Bradley in London. That left Liverpool without a natural right-back as central defender Jarell Quansah deputised in the position.
Trent Alexander-Arnold limped off as Liverpool played PSG.
Trent Alexander-Arnold limped off during the midweek defeat to PSG
It just so happened that much of Newcastle's traffic came via their left flank, with Tino Livramento's overlapping run from left back setting up Isak's deciding goal. However, it was hardly the only area of the pitch in which Liverpool had an off day, as few could argue the Magpies didn't deserve their first domestic cup in 70 years.
For some, the result will serve as a reminder as to why the Reds should go all out to try and keep Alexander-Arnold this summer. It's no secret the England international's contract is due to expire in June, with mounting speculation he's set to join Real Madrid on a free transfer.
But with veterans Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah also nearing the end of their deals, there's an argument to be made Alexander-Arnold is most worthy of an extension. Sunday's display highlighted the difference in Liverpool's creative department when the 26-year-old isn't available, with Newcastle outgunning the Reds in almost every department despite having only a third of the possession.
Liverpool players during the 2024/25 Carabao Cup final defeat to Newcastle
The Reds were devastated to exit a second competition in less than one week
Others will debate whether up-and-comer Bradley - who has struggled with injuries this season - is a ready-made replacement who can fill that gap. The 21-year-old has shone just as Alexander-Arnold did from an early age, starring in wins over Real Madrid, Manchester United, and Bayer Leverkusen this term and captaining Northern Ireland on a couple of occasions.
Slot and co are still 12 points clear at the Premier League summit and sailing to a top-flight trophy in the Dutchman's first season at the helm. But Sunday's defeat may have raised the tension levels at Anfield ahead of certain potential departures this summer.