Liverpool were comfortably beaten by Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final, with Arne Slot’s side second best throughout the entire match.
Dan Burn and Alexander Isak secured a historic result for the Toon as Federico Chiesa only managed to get a consolation goal for Liverpool in stoppage time, with the Reds now likely to end the 2024/25 season with just one piece of silverware in the Premier League.
With Slot under fire for his use of Alexis Mac Allister for Newcastle’s opening goal, it was a cup final where everything went wrong for Liverpool, with star attacker Mohamed Salah also enduring a rough performance.
Yet Micah Richards has said Salah’s performance could be down to the absence of one key Liverpool player in the Carabao Cup final.
READ MORE: Gary Neville says Mohamed Salah did something he’s ‘never seen’ for Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
Mohamed Salah felt Trent Alexander-Arnold’s absence vs Newcastle
Speaking on the Rest is Football, the former Manchester City defender explained why Trent Alexander-Arnold’s absence had an effect on Salah’s performance, with the winger struggling to find the space that is usually created by the England international.
Richards said: “I would say, from Liverpool’s point of view, they did really miss Trent today, they missed him, especially on a big pitch with his passing ability. Quansah did really well when he come on against PSG, defensively, he’s a centre-back by trade.
“But I just believe when Trent, and especially under Slot, tactically, you see him even with Conor Bradley, they make them under-lapping runs as well, not just outside, that then frees the space for Salah.
Mohamed Salah vs Newcastle United
Minutes played 90
Shots 0
Chances created 0
xG + xA 0.10
Touches in opposition box 1
Accurate crosses 1/2 (50%)
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“And I think the system didn’t quite get it right, and Salah at times was staying high and Gravenberch was having to come all the way across, which then left them a little bit light in midfield, and they just didn’t have the same flow that they usually have.
“And Trent on a big pitch is a great passer of the ball, 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.”
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s absence highlights a big issue Liverpool will face next season
With Alexander-Arnold likely to join Real Madrid this summer, the defender’s absence against Newcastle and the subsequent performance from Salah highlighted just how big a problem Liverpool could have next season.
Should Salah also sign a new contract with Liverpool, the Reds will need to find a replacement for Alexander-Arnold who has the capacity to play with the Egyptian international and to play to the winger’s strengths.
And against Newcastle, Liverpool saw first-hand how big a task that will be, with few right-backs in the world capable of what Alexander-Arnold can do, something that could make next season a difficult one for the Reds.