After Virgil van Dijk and Liverpool endured a difficult afternoon at Wembley Stadium, Kieran Trippier admitted Newcastle United's tactics to bypass the Dutchman from set-pieces
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 16: Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool reacts during the Carabao Cup Final between Liverpool and Newcastle United at Wembley Stadium on March 16, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)
It was a hugely frustrating day for Virgil van Dijk (Image: Chris Brunskill/Fantasista, Getty Images)
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Kieran Trippier admitted to Micah Richards that Newcastle United altered their corner-kick game plan to sidestep the aerial prowess of Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk during their Wembley clash.
The right-back consistently delivered high, out-swinging corners, targeting areas near the penalty spot or the back post for the likes of Dan Burn and Joelinton to attack. Their unorthodox style reaped the rewards minutes before half-time when Burn met Trippier's flat corner perfectly and directed an extraordinary header into the far corner.
They had almost scored from a similar scenario when Burn nodded a cross back across goal to Bruno Guimaraes, who could only direct his effort into the arms of Caoimhin Kelleher.
Trippier explained post-match to ex-Manchester City star Richards about Eddie Howe's plan to avoid Van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate. Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, Richards said: "A lot of people will talk about the goal but did people see the fade from Kieran Trippier. I spoke to him after the game and he said he did not put any in-swingers in, because Virgil van Dijk dominates those areas.
"He said he would go for the centre or the back post and lift it a little bit higher, because Dan Burn is taller than everyone. So if he could get a little bit of a run and the ball in was just amazing.
"When the ball is that high, lots of people talk about what the difference is between an in-swinger and an out-swinger, why do people put fade, bend or curl on it, whatever it may be. When the ball is that high, hit with a bit of swerve but it is flat, then you have to get more power in the header.
Kieran Trippier speaking to Micah Richards and Thierry Henry after the League Cup final
Kieran Trippier offered an insight into how Newcastle United attacked Liverpool with set pieces
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"When it is an in-swinger, you can sort of just glance it, but to get the power in the corner, seeing it live as well, I was thinking, 'you cannot possibly score from there' because there was no power on the ball. But to get his head back and get it in the corner was a joy to watch."
Newcastle doubled their advantage after the restart when Alexander Isak got free from Van Dijk and found the far corner with a first-time effort. Federico Chiesa halved the deficit in injury time to ensure there was a nail-biting finish, but it would only prove to be a late consolation.
After Newcastle won their first major trophy in 70 years, Richards earmarked Burn for praise. Richards said: "Last season he played a lot at full-back and obviously they've had injuries to Botman and he moves across to centre-back.
Dan Burn of Newcastle United F.C. scoring the first goal during the Carabao Cup Final between Liverpool and Newcastle United at Wembley Stadium on March 16, 2025 in London, England
Burn's header was exceptional ( Image: Getty Images)
"That was one of the best centre-back performances I have ever seen. People will say that I am getting over excited, but I am really not.
"A lot of people say that he is not good enough for Newcastle, that he is one to get rid off. But to have that mentality and go into the game against Liverpool, he won absolutely everything. He was on the front foot, he knew when to drop off and his goal was just remarkable."
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