Liverpool vs. Newcastle United | EFL Cup | Final | Pre Match
Liverpool vs. Newcastle United
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By the close of play on March 16, Arne Slot would have either won his maiden honour in English football, or the Magpies would have ended a torturous trophy drought which is about to hit 70 years exactly. For Slot, who took the reins at Liverpool following Jurgen Klopp’s departure, this final represents a defining moment in his fledgling tenure. A victory would not only mark his first piece of silverware with the Reds but also solidify his credentials as a worthy successor to the charismatic German who led Liverpool to so many triumphs. The Dutchman has already shown his tactical acumen in steering Liverpool to the top of the Premier League table, but a trophy in his first season would be the ultimate validation of his methods. On the other side, Newcastle’s long-suffering fans can hardly bear to think about another defeat. The last time the Magpies tasted major domestic success was in 1955, when they lifted the FA Cup, and the intervening years have been marked by a series of agonizing close calls and crushing disappointments. The weight of history hangs heavy over Eddie Howe’s squad, but there’s a palpable sense of determination to finally break the curse. Whether it’s Slot raising the cup aloft or Newcastle’s players ending their club’s decades-long famine, Sunday’s result will resonate far beyond the confines of Wembley Stadium.
Formerly Manchester City's bread-and-butter competition, Liverpool have since become the EFL Cup's dominant force as they endeavour to retain the title they clinched this time last year, having also broken Chelsea hearts in the 2021-22 showpiece too. The Reds have turned this tournament into their personal playground, racking up victories with a consistency that has left their rivals in awe. What was once a competition dominated by Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City—whose relentless pursuit of every available trophy defined their early dominance under the Spaniard—has now become Liverpool’s domain. Last year’s triumph was a testament to their resilience, as they outlasted a stubborn Chelsea side in a penalty shootout that showcased their nerve and composure under pressure. The 2021-22 final followed a similar script, with Liverpool again emerging victorious against the Blues in a match that went down to the wire. This knack for thriving in high-stakes encounters has become a hallmark of Liverpool’s recent history in the EFL Cup, and they arrive at Wembley as the team to beat. Their pedigree in this competition is unrivaled, and their current form suggests they’re primed to add another chapter to their storied legacy.
Already boasting more League Cup successes than any other team in history—a terrific 10—the Reds’ eight FA Cup crowns mean that they could claim a 19th domestic cup honour in English football, thus drawing level with the all-time record held by bitter adversaries Manchester United. Liverpool’s trophy haul is a testament to their enduring excellence, a record that spans generations and includes some of the most iconic moments in English football. Their 10 EFL Cup triumphs stand as a towering achievement, dwarfing the totals of their closest competitors, while their eight FA Cup victories further underscore their status as a domestic cup dynasty. Should they prevail on Sunday, they would pull level with Manchester United’s record of 19 domestic cup honors—a milestone that would add an extra layer of satisfaction given the fierce rivalry between the two clubs. For Liverpool fans, the prospect of matching United’s tally is almost as enticing as the trophy itself, a chance to assert their supremacy in a debate that has raged for decades. But beyond the numbers, this final is about momentum: a victory would reinforce Liverpool’s position as the Premier League’s pacesetters and keep their dreams of a domestic double alive, even as their European aspirations have faltered.
West Ham United, Brighton & Hove Albion, Southampton, and Tottenham Hotspur have been no match for Liverpool during their unstoppable surge to Wembley, where victory would surely see them complete 50% of a domestic double as they lie 15 points clear of Arsenal at the Premier League summit. The Reds have carved through this season’s EFL Cup with ruthless efficiency, dispatching a series of Premier League foes with a blend of attacking flair and defensive solidity. West Ham fell early, unable to cope with Liverpool’s relentless pressing; Brighton were swept aside despite their reputation for slick possession play; Southampton offered little resistance; and Tottenham, even with their attacking riches, couldn’t derail the Reds’ march to the final. This run has mirrored their dominance in the Premier League, where they’ve opened up a commanding 15-point lead over Arsenal, a gap that speaks to their consistency and quality under Slot’s guidance. A win on Sunday would not only secure the EFL Cup but also position them halfway toward a domestic double—an achievement that seemed improbable when Slot first took charge but now feels tantalizingly within reach. The Wembley faithful will bear witness to a team at the peak of its powers, one that has turned every challenge into an opportunity to showcase its superiority.
However, Slot’s men will not be celebrating Champions League title number seven this spring, having succumbed to a dramatic but ultimately deserved last-16 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain on penalties, as Gianluigi Donnarumma repeated his 12-yard heroics in England almost four years on from doing so in the Euro 2020 final. That European exit was a bitter pill to swallow for Liverpool, who had harbored hopes of adding another Champions League crown to their illustrious history. The tie against PSG was a rollercoaster, with the Reds battling valiantly only to falter in the decisive shootout. Donnarumma, the Italian goalkeeper who famously denied England in the Euro 2020 final at Wembley, once again proved to be Liverpool’s nemesis, his towering presence between the posts snuffing out their dreams of advancing. The defeat underscored the fine margins that define knockout football and served as a rare blemish on an otherwise stellar season. For Slot, it was a harsh lesson in the unpredictability of Europe’s premier competition, but it has only sharpened Liverpool’s focus on domestic matters. The EFL Cup final offers a chance at redemption, a shot to reclaim their winning feeling and banish the ghosts of that Parisian nightmare.
The men in blue exploded into euphoria in Wembley that year, and the men in red also have good reason to believe that they will be collecting their winners’ medals on Sunday; on each of the last four occasions that the reigning EFL Cup champions have reached the final the following season, they have gone on to win it. History favors Liverpool in this regard, as the Reds have a remarkable track record of retaining their crown. Over the past four instances when the defending champions have returned to the EFL Cup final, they’ve emerged victorious every time—a statistic that looms large as Newcastle prepare to take them on. This streak speaks to the resilience and big-game mentality that Liverpool have cultivated, a knack for rising to the occasion when the stakes are highest. The memories of Italy’s triumph over England at Wembley in 2021 still linger, a night when blue-clad players danced in delirium under the arch, and Liverpool’s players will be driven to create their own moment of ecstasy. With their experience, depth, and a manager who has quickly adapted to the demands of English football, the Reds have every reason to feel confident as they step onto the hallowed turf.
There should not be a single team in the whole of the British Isles more determined to buck that trend than Newcastle, who are still reliving the glory days of the 1955 FA Cup final, the last time that they ever got their hands on a major piece of silverware. For the Magpies, this final is about more than just a trophy—it’s about redemption, legacy, and the chance to heal wounds that have festered for nearly 70 years. That 1955 FA Cup triumph over Manchester City remains a touchstone for Newcastle fans, a golden memory in an otherwise barren stretch of history. Since then, the club has endured a litany of disappointments: cup final defeats, relegations, and countless seasons of unfulfilled promise. The current generation of supporters has grown up hearing tales of that distant glory, and the hunger to create new heroes has never been stronger. Eddie Howe has instilled belief in this squad, transforming them from mid-table also-rans into genuine contenders, and Sunday represents the culmination of that journey. Newcastle’s players know they’re carrying the hopes of an entire city, a fanbase that has stuck by them through thick and thin, and they’ll channel that desperation into every tackle, every sprint, and every shot as they aim to topple the mighty Liverpool.
With Eddie Howe at the helm, however, they came within a whisker of ending that lengthy drought during the 2022-23 edition, only to fall to Manchester United’s superiority in the capital; that gut-wrenching defeat marked their fifth in a row on domestic cup finals. Howe has been a revelation since taking charge of Newcastle, guiding them to heights few thought possible when he inherited a team flirting with relegation. The 2022-23 EFL Cup final was a tantalizing glimpse of what could be, as the Magpies pushed Manchester United hard before succumbing to a 2-0 defeat. That loss was a microcosm of Newcastle’s cup final woes: valiant effort undone by a lack of cutting edge against a more seasoned opponent. It extended their run of consecutive domestic cup final defeats to five, a streak that stretches back decades and includes losses to Arsenal, Manchester United (twice), and Liverpool in various competitions. Each defeat has added to the narrative of Newcastle as perennial bridesmaids, always close but never quite able to take the final step. Howe, with his calm demeanor and tactical nous, has brought them to the brink once more, and this time, his players are determined to rewrite the script against a Liverpool side that has tormented them for years.
In fact, only Chelsea are on a longer run of successive defeats in EFL Cup and FA Cup showpiece matches—the Blues have lost six on the spin since 2019—and Sunday represents the Magpies’ only shot at glory this term following their chaotic FA Cup exit to Brighton & Hove Albion two weeks ago. Newcastle’s season has been a rollercoaster, with moments of brilliance tempered by frustrating setbacks. Their FA Cup campaign came to an abrupt end against Brighton, a match that descended into chaos and exposed some of their defensive frailties. That defeat left the EFL Cup as their sole remaining avenue for silverware, amplifying the importance of this Wembley showdown. Chelsea’s even worse record in recent finals—six straight losses across both major domestic cup competitions—offers a grim reminder of how quickly a team can become synonymous with near-misses. Newcastle are desperate to avoid a similar fate, and their preparation for Sunday has been laser-focused. The players know that this is their last chance to salvage something tangible from the season, and they’ll need to summon every ounce of resilience to overcome a Liverpool side that has repeatedly proven its mastery in these moments.
The Magpies have since responded by eking out a 1-0 Premier League win at West Ham United on Monday, choosing an ideal time to keep their first clean sheet in five games, having conceded at least two goals in each of their previous five appearances before that slender success. That victory in London was a much-needed tonic after a string of leaky defensive performances. Newcastle had been shipping goals at an alarming rate, with their backline breached at least twice in each of their five outings prior to the West Ham game. The clean sheet, secured through dogged determination and a rare moment of attacking precision, hinted at a return to the solidity that defined their resurgence under Howe. It was a timely boost ahead of the final, a sign that the Magpies might finally be finding their footing at the back. The win also showcased their ability to grind out results under pressure, a quality that will be essential against Liverpool’s potent attack. With momentum on their side and a newfound defensive resolve, Newcastle head to Wembley with cautious optimism, knowing that they’ll need to replicate that resilience to stand any chance of lifting the cup.
However, one of those poor defensive displays came in a 2-0 loss to Liverpool at Anfield just a matter of weeks ago, which made it 17 straight games without a win for Newcastle against the reigning EFL Cup champions, another bad omen before their quest for an incredibly long-awaited slice of stardom. That defeat at Anfield was a stark reminder of the gulf that has historically separated these two sides. Liverpool dominated from start to finish, exploiting Newcastle’s vulnerabilities with clinical precision and leaving the Magpies with little to show for their efforts. The result extended Newcastle’s winless streak against the Reds to 17 matches across all competitions, a run that stretches back years and includes a litany of heavy defeats and narrow losses. It’s a statistic that hangs like a dark cloud over their preparations, a psychological hurdle as much as a tactical one. Liverpool have become Newcastle’s bogey team, a relentless force that seems to have their number no matter the circumstances. Breaking that hoodoo will require a herculean effort, but the Magpies have no choice but to confront it head-on if they’re to end their trophy drought and etch their names into club folklore.
The news that all Reds fans feared was confirmed by Slot on Friday morning, as the Liverpool manager conceded that Trent Alexander-Arnold would miss the final owing to the injury he suffered against PSG in the Champions League. Alexander-Arnold’s absence is a seismic blow for Liverpool, as the England star has been a linchpin of their success under both Klopp and Slot. His pinpoint passing, tireless energy, and ability to influence games from right-back are qualities that can’t easily be replaced, and his injury—sustained during that gut-wrenching loss to PSG—has ruled him out of the Wembley showpiece. Slot delivered the update with a heavy heart, knowing that his team’s attacking dynamism will be diminished without one of its most creative outlets. For Liverpool supporters, it’s a cruel twist of fate, a reminder of how quickly fortunes can shift in football. Alexander-Arnold’s absence leaves a gaping hole in the Reds’ lineup, and it’s a vulnerability that Newcastle will look to exploit as they seek to capitalize on any chink in Liverpool’s armor.
Alexander-Arnold’s absence coupled with Joe Gomez and Conor Bradley’s hamstring injuries means that Slot is without a single senior right-back for the trip to Wembley, where Jarell Quansah is expected to fill the void, although the Dutchman also name-checked Curtis Jones as a wild-card option in his press conference. The injury crisis at right-back has forced Slot into a tactical rethink, with Gomez and Bradley—both reliable deputies—also sidelined by hamstring issues. Quansah, a promising young centre-back, is the frontrunner to step into the breach, though his lack of experience at full-back could be a liability against Newcastle’s pacey wide players. Slot’s mention of Jones, a versatile midfielder with an eye for goal, as a potential alternative underscores the desperation of the situation. It’s a gamble that could either pay off spectacularly or backfire disastrously, depending on how well Jones adapts to an unfamiliar role. Liverpool’s depth has been a strength all season, but this confluence of injuries has stretched their resources to the limit, testing Slot’s ingenuity as he prepares for one of the biggest games of his career.
In brighter news, Slot expects Ibrahima Konate—who was also forced off at Anfield in midweek—to be available on Sunday, otherwise he will have little choice but to introduce Wataru Endo as Virgil van Dijk’s defensive partner. Konate’s potential return is a lifeline for Liverpool, as the French centre-back’s physicality and aerial prowess are vital against a Newcastle side that boasts its own towering presence in attack. His withdrawal during the PSG match sparked fears of another long-term absence, but Slot’s optimism suggests that Konate could yet play a pivotal role at Wembley. If he’s ruled out, however, the prospect of Endo partnering Van Dijk is a less-than-ideal fallback. Endo, a combative midfielder by trade, has deputized in defense before but lacks the natural instincts and positional nous of a true centre-back. Against a Newcastle attack led by the prolific Alexander Isak, that makeshift pairing could be exposed. Slot will be praying that Konate passes his fitness test, as Liverpool’s defensive stability hangs in the balance.
Tyler Morton (shoulder) is also missing for the holders but would not have started anyway. Morton’s absence is a minor footnote compared to the other injury concerns, as the young midfielder was unlikely to feature in the starting XI. His shoulder injury, sustained in training, rules him out of contention, but Liverpool’s squad depth means his absence won’t significantly alter their plans. The focus remains on the bigger names—Alexander-Arnold, Konate, and the right-back conundrum—as Slot finalizes his lineup. Morton’s unavailability is a small inconvenience in an otherwise chaotic injury picture, but it’s a reminder of the physical toll this season has taken on the Reds as they juggle multiple competitions with a squad stretched thin.
Alexander-Arnold is not the only celebrated English full-back who will be watching on helplessly on Sunday, as Newcastle’s Lewis Hall will miss the rest of the season with a foot injury and joins Sven Botman (knee) and Jamaal Lascelles (knee) in the Magpies’ treatment room this weekend. Newcastle’s own injury woes mirror Liverpool’s, with Hall’s season-ending foot injury depriving Howe of a dynamic option at left-back. The former Chelsea youngster had been a bright spot in Newcastle’s campaign, but his absence adds to a growing list of casualties. Botman and Lascelles, both key centre-backs, are also sidelined with knee injuries, leaving Howe with a depleted backline at the worst possible time. Botman’s absence, in particular, is a blow, as the Dutchman’s composure and aerial dominance have been cornerstones of Newcastle’s defensive improvement. Without these three, the Magpies’ depth will be tested, and Howe will need to rely on less experienced options to shore up a defense that has shown signs of fragility in recent weeks.
In addition, Anthony Gordon’s moment of madness in the FA Cup loss to Brighton means that the ex-Reds youngster is suspended for the trip to Wembley, although his deputy—Harvey Barnes—provided the assist for Bruno Guimaraes’s winner against West Ham. Gordon’s suspension is a self-inflicted wound for Newcastle, as his red card against Brighton—born of frustration in a match that slipped away—has ruled him out of the final. The winger’s pace and directness would have been a weapon against Liverpool’s makeshift right flank, but his absence opens the door for Barnes to step up. The former Leicester man seized his chance against West Ham, delivering a pinpoint cross for Guimaraes to head home the decisive goal. Barnes’s composure in that moment suggests he’s ready to shoulder the responsibility, and his inclusion could give Newcastle a different dimension in attack. Howe will need every bit of that creativity to break down a Liverpool defense that, despite its injury concerns, remains one of the most formidable in the country.
Barnes and Jacob Murphy will take on supporting roles either side of Alexander Isak, who has been involved in four goals from five previous meetings with Liverpool, while the towering figure of Dan Burn starts in defence after his first-ever call-up to the senior England squad. Isak is Newcastle’s talisman, a striker whose blend of height, speed, and finishing has made him a nightmare for defenders all season. His record against Liverpool—four goal involvements in five games—offers hope that he can be the difference-maker at Wembley. Flanked by Barnes and Murphy, both of whom bring energy and flair to the wings, Isak will look to exploit any uncertainty in Liverpool’s patched-up backline. Meanwhile, Burn’s inclusion at centre-back is a nod to his recent form and newfound recognition with England. The 6’7” defender, a late bloomer who earned his first Three Lions call-up at 32, brings physicality and leadership to a Newcastle defense that will need to stand tall against Liverpool’s attacking waves. Together, this trio embodies the mix of experience and hunger that Howe is banking on to pull off an upset for the ages.
In this clash of titans, the bridesmaid and the bride will leave nothing to chance, battling under the Wembley arch for a prize that means everything to both. For Newcastle, it’s a shot at ending 70 years of hurt; for Liverpool, it’s another step toward immortality. Only one will emerge victorious, and the echoes of Sunday’s result will reverberate through the annals of English football for years to come.
