Micah Richards has hailed one player for their performance in the Carabao Cup final and the transformative impact they’ve had on Newcastle United this season.
Newcastle United are still riding high after ending their seven decades of trophy heartbreak by winning the Carabao Cup final 2-1 against Liverpool.
Eddie Howe’s expertly set-up side were by far the better team at Wembley, with goals from Dan Burn and Alexander Isak securing the cup.
A late Bruno Guimaraes mistake did allow Liverpool to claw one back through Federico Chiesa to inflict a final few minutes of anguish on supporters.
Yet, it ended with wild Newcastle celebrations deep into the night and Micah Richards has picked out Sandro Tonali for massive praise.
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Micah Richards says Newcastle are a ‘different team’ with Sandro Tonali
Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, Richards was effusive with his praise for Howe and several other players but it was Tonali who got the highest compliments.
He said: “I think since Tonali’s come back into the side, they do look like a different team.
“I think he’s come back bigger, stronger, even looks faster. He’s been pressing more.
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“Just gives them that base in midfield. Although I would say from a Liverpool point of view, they did really miss Trent [Alexander-Arnold] today.”
Sandro Tonali wins test of strength with Virgil van Dijk
Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk has been coming in for ridicule for parts of his performance in the Carabao Cup final on social media.
It has been pointed out that the Dutchman could have done more to prevent Burn’s header from distance from going in but instead watched on without moving as it sailed past him.
However, the moment that went the most viral on X, formerly Twitter, was when Van Dijk came to battle with a stampeding Tonali.
The Italian was charging up through the field to relieve pressure on the defence late on when Van Dijk tried to challenge him.
However, the Reds’ captain was brushed aside with ease and ended up falling on the floor as Tonali then blasted past Jarell Quansah as well.
It just tipified Tonali’s sublime display.