Liverpool and Newcastle United face off in the EFL Cup final at Wembley on Sunday evening, with the first trophy of the 2024/25 season on the line.
Liverpool were eliminated from the UEFA Champions League by PSG earlier this week, and they will be hurting after a disappointing display as they get set for the EFL Cup final vs Newcastle United at Wembley on Sunday.
Sunday’s clash is a golden opportunity for Arne Slot’s men to bounce back and produce a strong result. It will be interesting to see if they can win the trophy and give themselves a much-needed morale boost. Liverpool are fighting for the Premier League title and winning the EFL Cup will lift the spirits around the club and set them up well for the final few weeks of the 2024/25 season.
Meanwhile, Newcastle United have been quite inconsistent in recent weeks, and they have lost three of their last five matches in all competitions. The Magpies will be desperate to bounce back and get their back on track.
Victory here could help build some confidence and let them push for UEFA Champions League qualification. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of this weekend’s EFL Cup final.
Team News & Tactics
Liverpool
Tyler Morton misses out with a shoulder injury, and Joe Gomez is ruled out with a hamstring issue. Conor Bradley is still recovering from the knock he picked up against Aston Villa. Ibrahima Konate picked up a cramp against PSG, but he should be fit for this one. Trent Alexander-Arnold could be sidelined with the injury he picked up during the midweek.
Liverpool are likely to shape up in a 4-2-3-1 formation vs Newcastle United, with Alisson Becker in goal. Jarell Quansah and Andrew Robertson will start as the full-backs, and they will look to help out at both ends of the pitch. Ibrahima Konate will start alongside Virgil van Dijk at the heart of the defence.
As for the midfield unit, Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch will add defensive cover and control to the side from the deep. Meanwhile, Dominik Szoboszlai will look to create goalscoring opportunities for his teammates in the final third.
Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo will add creativity and goals from the wide areas, with Diogo Jota leading the line for Liverpool vs Newcastle United in the EFL Cup final on Sunday. So, Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz will be the backup options on the bench.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Quansah, Konate, van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Jota
Newcastle United
Eddie Howe will be without Jamaal Lascelles due to a knee injury, Sven Botman due to a knee injury, Lewis Hall due to an ankle injury. Meanwhile, Anthony Gordon misses out for Newcastle United due to suspension.
Newcastle United will shape up in a 4-3-3 formation vs Liverpool, with Nick Pope in goal. Valentino Livramento and Matt Targett will start as the full-backs. They will look to contribute at both ends of the pitch. Dan Burn will form the central defensive partnership alongside Fabian Schar.
As for the midfield unit, Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Sean Longstaff will start in the middle of the park. They will look to win the ball back for their side and add control in the midfield. Alexander Isak will lead the line for Newcastle United vs Liverpool, with Jacob Murphy and Harvey Barnes on either side of him.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Pope; Livramento, Burn, Schar, Targett; Tonali, Guimaraes, Longstaff; Murphy, Isak, Barnes
Key Stats
- Liverpool are undefeated in their last 25 home matches vs Newcastle United across all competitions.
- Liverpool have scored at least two goals in ten of their last 11 home matches vs Newcastle United in all competitions.
- Liverpool are unbeaten in the last six meetings with Newcastle United.
- 22 goals have been scored in the last six meetings between these two teams.
- Newcastle United have lost three of the last six matches in all competitions.
Player to Watch
Mohamed Salah
The Egyptian international has been phenomenal this season, and he will be disappointed with his performance against PSG in the last two weeks. He will want to bounce back strongly and make a vital contribution in a winning cause. Liverpool will need him to step up and create goalscoring opportunities in the final third and find the back of the net as well.
It remains to be seen whether he can guide Liverpool to get another trophy. Salah has won every major trophy with Liverpool and he knows what it takes to play in the biggest games. The veteran attacker’s experience and quality could make a big difference for Liverpool here.
Prediction
Liverpool 2-1 Newcastle United
Both teams have the quality to grind out a victory here, and this is likely to be a close contest. Matches between these two sides are often packed with goals, and this one is unlikely to be any different.
Both Liverpool and Newcastle United are attacking in their approach, and they will look to outscore each other. They are likely to get on the score sheet here, but Liverpool have more attacking depth and they should be able to edge this contest. A narrow EFL Cup-clinching victory for Liverpool is on the cards. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 win for Arne Slot and his charges.