Liverpool has its sights set on the first major trophy of the season today as it faces Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley.
Arne Slot will be hoping he can get his hands on a first piece of silverware as the Reds’ head coach, with the Dutchman looking to defend the last trophy won under his predecessor Jurgen Klopp. Although Liverpool’s hopes of a treble were ended in heartbreaking fashion by Paris Saint-Germain, a double is still within its grasp, with the Premier League title surely heading to Anfield.
Newcastle though will be aiming to spoil the Reds’ party, with the Magpies looking to end a near 70-year wait for a major trophy. Eddie Howe has some big names missing, but his side will offer plenty of threat to Liverpool, especially with Alexander Isak leading the attack.
It’s sure to be a momentous occasion, and there will no doubt be plenty of drama in store, with a winner needing to be found one way or another.
Is there extra-time in the Carabao Cup final?
If the two sides can’t be separated after 90 minutes, then the final will go extra time. As per usual, that means an extra 30 minutes of playing time, split into two 15-minute halves.
That’s a departure from most of the competition. Prior to the semi-finals, any games that were level after 90 minutes went straight to a penalty shootout – in fact, Newcastle needed penalties to see off Nottingham Forest in their opening game in the second round back in August.
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Liverpool haven’t been taken that far yet in the competition, and after the drama against PSG in the Champions League, the Reds will be eager to get the job done in normal time on this occasion. Like Tuesday’s game at Anfield, should Liverpool and Newcastle still be level after extra time, then the game will be decided by a penalty shootout.
Is there VAR in the final?
VAR is in place in for the final at Wembley, with Stuart Atwell on duty and being assisted by Sian Massey-Ellis. Like the semi-finals, any VAR interventions could also see something different to the norm in the Premier League.
Should the VAR decide to overturn a call, referee John Brooks will announce the decision to the crowd inside Wembley. The in-stadium announcements system was first introduced during the semi-finals, and got its first run-out during the first leg of Liverpool’s tie against Tottenham in North London.
Semi-automated offsides will not be in use though, with the system only being trialed in the FA Cup this season before potentially being introduced in the Premier League.
