Moments you may not have spotted during Liverpool's League Cup final against Newcastle United on Sunday afternoon
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Federico Chiesa of Liverpool speaks to the match officials during the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle United at Wembley on March 16 2025
Federico Chiesa of Liverpool speaks to the match officials during the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle United at Wembley on March 16 2025
(Image: Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)
Liverpool suffered the embarrassment of becoming the first team to lose to Newcastle United in a domestic final for 70 years when the slumped to a 2-1 League Cup final reverse on Sunday afternoon. Substitute Federico Chiesa pulled a goal back during injury time but the Reds had already posted arguably their worst-ever performance in a final to lose in shockingly dismal fashion.
Arne Slot's side have now seen their hopes of a trophy treble dashed inside a week with concentration now focusing on winning the Premier League title after the international break.
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But there was plenty that went unnoticed or under the radar during the 90 minutes at Wembley...
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Elliott treatment annoys Jones
It's fair to say Liverpool were bullied by a Newcastle midfield that was out on its feet come injury time. But that didn't stop one of the Magpies engine room from a characteristic end to the game.
In the final seconds, Harvey Elliott sought to bring the ball forward when he was cleaned out by the booking-averse Joelinton near the touchline with a poor challenge. Incredibly, none of the officials saw the incident to be too much bother, with Curtis Jones waving his arms and running towards the referee in anger at the Newcastle man escaping censure.
Poor Elliott, meanwhile, was left needed treatment on the pitch after the final whistle as Newcastle celebrated. Talk about adding injury to insult.
Newcastle fans misunderstand
Liverpool finally sparked into some sort of life during the closing stages when fresh legs from the bench started to bother a tiring Newcastle side. But there was confusion when Chiesa knocked the ball past Nick Pope to halve the arrears.
Indeed, when referee John Brooks eventually informed the stadium the goal was being allowed, mere mention of the word "offside" prompted celebrations in the Newcastle end before they realised their team were kicking off now only 2-1 ahead.
And Chiesa didn't appear to know his goal had stood until being informed vociferously by team-mates eager to get cracking with the restart.
Rush and Dalglish confusion
It seemed the whole of Newcastle had descended upon Wembley for one of the biggest games in the club's history. Ain't no doubt, though, that it was disappointing Jimmy Nail appeared not to be there.
Ant and Dec were, and their appearance on screen inside the stadium which was cheered by the Toon Army was probably the most exciting moment of a pretty tedious opening 40 minutes.
The Newcastle fans, though, didn't quite know how to react when Kenny Dalglish and Ian Rush appeared on screen. Liverpool legends, yes, but both with links to the North East having managed and played for the Magpies respectively.
PSG glee
There was plenty of abuse and gloating aimed in the direction of Liverpool afterwards. And even some opposing clubs got involved.
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The Paris Saint-Germain official social media channels retweeted an image of a Reds fan at Wembley wearing a PSG cap with the words "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em".
Given Liverpool supporters have long had a tradition of picking up headwear of teams they have faced on their travels in Europe, expect Girona, PSV Eindhoven, RB Leipzig and AC Milan to follow suit in the coming days.