The Carabao Cup final preview/ Liverpool and Newcastle clash at Wembley.
Date: March 16, 2025
Kickoff: Carabao Cup Final | 16:30 GMT | Wembley Stadium
Broadcast: Sky Sports, ITV (UK), Paramount+ (US)
Road to Wembley
Liverpool return as defending champions after beating Chelsea 1-0 in last year’s final with the goal coming from Virgil van Dijk in extra-time. The Reds defeated Tottenham in the semi-final and currently sit 15 points above the chasing pack in the Premier League but they arrive here a little wounded, after the elimination from the Champions League by PSG on penalties. Newcastle will be searching for their first trophy since 1955 and beat Arsenal in the semi-final. Newcastle enjoyed a 1-0 win at West Ham on a Monday night would have surely gave them a boost.
Tactical Battlegrounds
1. Liverpool’s Right-Back Crisis: Trent Alexander-Arnold (ankle), Conor Bradley (muscle), and Joe Gomez (hamstring) are all unavailable. Manager Arne Slot implied there could be some bizarre solutions: “Curtis Jones can play there,” or a left-footed defender playing out of position. Getting Ibrahima Konaté back strengthens the central defence, as he re-joins Van Dijk.
2. Newcastle’s Absences: Anthony Gordon is suspended, while defenders Lewis Hall (ankle) and Sven Botman (knee) are long-term casualties. Alexander Isak—linked controversially to Liverpool—leads the attack despite Wayne Rooney’s criticism of his “refusal to train” amid transfer rumors.
3. Set-Piece Supremacy: Liverpool’s dead-ball prowess decided February’s league meeting (2-0 win), with Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister scoring.
Key Players
Liverpool has Mohamed Salah with 17 assists this season. Then, Virgil van Dijk is also dangerous in set pieces whereas Dominik Szoboszlai has scored in the previous head-to-head.
For Newcastle, Bruno Guimarães scored the match-winning goal against West Ham. Alexander Isak is the striker who presses the ball). Moreover, Nick Pope will need to pull off some key saves.
If Liverpool is comprised as invited to endure much of the ball. slot may go with Cody Gakpo over Darwin Núñez will need to find a pressing ante that matches the moment.
Stakes and Statistics
Liverpool: Pursue 11th League Cup win and extend record.
Newcastle: They will end a 70-year trophy drought.
Head to Head: Liverpool are unbeaten in 14 against Newcastle since 2003 (12W).
Prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Newcastle (Salah, Gakpo, Isak). I think the Reds will risk a nervy finish due to their depth.
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