Newcastle has named an unchanged line-up for the Carabao Cup final, sticking with the side that started against West Ham United on Monday night.
The Magpies, aiming to win their first major domestic trophy in 70 years, have been hit with several selection blows in the build-up to Sunday’s Wembley showdown. Anthony Gordon is suspended following his red card against Brighton & Hove Albion two weeks ago, while Lewis Hall picked up a season-ending injury and Sven Botman suffered a relapse in his recovery from a knee problem.
All that means there’s a slightly experimental feel to Eddie Howe’s side for the final, certainly down the left-hand side. There was also a major decision to be made between the sticks, a topic Howe failed to be drawn on in his pre-match press conference. Martin Dubravka has tended to play in the Carabao Cup this season but Howe has opted for first-choice keeper Nick Pope against Liverpool.
Without Hall, the former Bournemouth boss has chosen to select Tino Livramento at left-back and Kieran Trippier on the opposite flank. Two days on from his maiden England call-up, Dan Burn has been named at centre-back along with Fabian Schar.
In midfield, it’s the tried-and-trusted trio of Joelinton, Sandro Tonalo and Bruno Guimarares, with the latter hoping to be the first Newcastle captain in history to lift the EFL Cup.
The goalscoring prowess of Alexander Isak could be key against Liverpool and Virgil van Dijk. He was asked in the build-up to the game if he is best striker on the planet and comes up against the side repeated linked with a move for the Sweden international over recent weeks.
It’s Jacob Murphy and Havrey Barnes in the wide areas for Newcastle and the latter will most likely play against Jarell Quansah on Liverpool’s right, with the academy graduate drafted in due to Liverpool’s defensive injury crisis.
Newcastle does have options on the bench with the likes of Lewis Miley, Sean Longstaff and Callum Wilson waiting in the wings.
Newcastle starting XI : Pope; Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livarmento; Guimarares, Tonali, Joelinton; Murphy, Isak, Barnes.
Substitutes : Dubravka, Krafth, Target, Miley, Longstaff, Willock, Wilson, Osula, Neave.
