Liverpool boss Arne Slot has insisted that the Carabao Cup final this weekend is not bigger for Newcastle United than it is for his side, with Eddie Howe looking to become the first Magpies manager in more than half a century to bring home a trophy.
Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimaraes has already described the game as being his team’s “World Cup final”. It last won a domestic trophy in 1955, beating Manchester City in the FA Cup final on that occasion.
“I don’t along with [the game being bigger for Newcastle],” Slot said during his pre-match press conference. “If you reach a final, it is always a big moment for them and also for us. We have two cups but you cannot take it for granted in this country. We don’t play a final every year.
“I said it two days ago, in this part of the season — in England — it is almost impossible to have everyone fit. We have two or three injuries and that is the minimum you can expect after four months of non-stop football.
“So it is a big compliment for us and Newcastle to have so many fit. Trent and Anthony Gordon are big players for both clubs but there are a lot of quality players for both.”
Having faced PSG on Tuesday and had to go through extra-time, there are extra minutes in the Liverpool legs. But Slot is confident that won’t make a difference with a relatively long gap to the weekend.
“That is the good thing about where we are now in the league and cup,” Slot said. “Everyone wants to play it and that is why we get up and come here to train — a chance to win a trophy.
(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
“Our league position is a reason for us to keep going. If we leave a tournament then it is better to do it like PSG than Plymouth. The intensity levels where the highest they have been all season, we created a few chances which we normally score and yeah, I also liked the game — it was pure football.
“I have seen so many games recently where it is all about diving, pretending to injured, time-wasting. This was two teams, all in pressing-wise, pure football. It’s a big compliment to PSG to beat such a good Liverpool team.
“In the end, it is normal for the players to be tired in extra time, especially when it is so intense. I made five changes, so five can’t be tired. There are four days in between so the players can play Sunday again.”
Liverpool.com says: It would be huge for Slot to get his first piece of silverware over the line here. The Premier League title should be brought home as well, but having gone out of the Champions League earlier in the week, being victorious at Wembley would be some way to bounce back and get back on track immediately.
