Liverpool have to put their Champions League exit disappointment behind as they face Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final. The Reds are heading to the Wembley Stadium in a back-to-back final after their emphatic victory against Chelsea last season.
Liverpool defeated Tottenham Hotspur in the semi-finals, while the Magpies beat Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal in their semi-final showdown. Both teams have worked very hard to reach the finals despite facing numerous obstacles in their respective campaign so far.
Newcastle are facing an injury crisis along with the disciplinary action against their star winger, Anthony Gordon. The Magpies have maintained a specific style of play under Eddie Howie while using the physicality and intensity of players.
Liverpool have also struggled with fatigue due to the fixture congestion and the pressure of the Premier League top spot. The Liverpool team’s fatigue was visible during the extra time against Paris Saint-Germain as the visitors grabbed the momentum.
While the exit from the Champions League is hurtful, Liverpool fans understand that they lost to a better team with superior depth in the squad. Furthermore, elimination is a good lesson for Arne Slot, who many forget is still in his first season at Liverpool.
Slot’s successful start to the season has raised the expectation level drastically, with people forgetting he has not spent anything. Football pundits predicted that Liverpool would struggle, believing that they would fail to reach the Premier League’s top four.
Liverpool vs Newcastle United: Recent Form
Liverpool enjoyed a strong form before their disappointing loss to PSG at Anfield, which led to their Champions League elimination. The Reds won four out of their last five games in all competitions, including the victory over Manchester City and Southampton.
Furthermore, Liverpool defeated their Carabao Cup final opponents Newcastle 2-0 at Anfield in a prelude to the upcoming final. It is with certainty that the Reds will face a far different Newcastle team as Alexander Isak returns for them.
Meanwhile, the Magpies have enjoyed an inconsistent form recently, with three losses and two wins in the last five games in all competitions. Brighton eliminated Newcastle from the FA Cup in one of those games involving Gordon’s dismissal, a punishment he still serves.
The FA Cup elimination also put the Magpies in a desperate situation, with the Carabao Cup as their only opportunity to win a trophy. Furthermore, Newcastle are also fighting for the next season’s European spot, currently two points away from fourth position.
Liverpool vs Newcastle United: Predicted Lineup
Newcastle have enjoyed a massive boost with Isak’s return against West Ham, but they will have a few absentees. The Magpies have Lewis Hall, Sven Botman, and Jamaal Lascelles ruled out with injuries while Gordon serves his suspension.
Newcastle’s Predicted XI: Pope; Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento; Tonali, Guimaraes, Joelington; Murphy, Barnes; Isak.
Liverpool vice-captain Trent Alexander-Arnold will miss the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle after suffering an injury against PSG. The Reds’ right-back will join Joe Gomez and Conor Bradley on the injury list.
Liverpool showed clear fatigue during the extra time of the Champions League clash against PSG, and that factor remains a concern. Furthermore, the continuous poor form of Diogo Jota puts his starting position in a threat. Slot could continue the tradition of playing Caoimhin Kelleher as the goalkeeper in the Carabao Cup ahead of Alisson Becker.
Liverpool’s Predicted XI: Kelleher; Quansah, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Salah, Diaz, Gakpo
Liverpool vs Newcastle United: Predicted Scoreline
The Reds cannot afford to take the game into the extra time and suffer the same fate which they did against PSG. At the same time, Liverpool have a chance to redeem themselves and put the Champions League pain behind by securing a convincing victory. The Kop Times predict a 2-1 scoreline in favour of the Reds with Slot securing his first title.
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