Liverpool is set to chase its first trophy under the leadership of Arne Slot later today, as it faces Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley.
After a disappointing exit from the Champions League last Tuesday following a penalty shoot-out defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, there’s no time for the Reds to dwell. With the Premier League title almost within grasp, barring any major mishaps, Liverpool could also secure the Carabao Cup for a record 10th time on Sunday.
Newcastle, however, haven’t tasted domestic success in quite some time – their last honour being the FA Cup win 70 years ago in 1955. Despite being the underdogs and missing key players like former Everton winger Anthony Gordon, the Magpies are not to be underestimated.
Pundits Chris Sutton and Paul Merson believe it’s going to be a close match between the sides. Sutton, a Premier League title winner with Blackburn Rovers in 1995, predicts a 3-2 victory for the Reds.
Writing for BBC Sport, he said: “We all know how much it would mean for Newcastle to end a long wait for a major trophy, but they have not beaten Liverpool since December 2015, a run of 17 games.
“When you consider the Magpies are without Lewis Hall and Anthony Gordon – their entire first-choice on the left flank – I really don’t see that run ending at Wembley. I am expecting Tino Livramento to replace Hall and try to stop Mohamed Salah. Livramento is mobile and quick, but I don’t think he will keep Salah quiet all game.
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“It won’t be easy for Liverpool, though. It is without Trent Alexander-Arnold and, with Conor Bradley likely to be sidelined too, Slot will need to find someone to fill in at right-back.
“The midfield battle will be key, because Newcastle is very good in that area, especially now Joelinton is back alongside Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali, but it is one of Liverpool’s strengths too.
“Arne Slot’s biggest issue is how the Reds will react to the disappointment of going out of the Champions League against Paris St-Germain, but I don’t see them having a hangover from that shootout defeat. My gut feeling is that we will see a few goals, and Liverpool will win in 90 minutes.”
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Arsenal legend Merson, however, believes Liverpool could be in for a second extra time period in a week.
Penning his thoughts for Sportskeeda, he remarked: “I’m someone who always gives teams a chance in games, but I didn’t give that to Newcastle in this fixture a few weeks ago! Now I think it has a chance, though.
“I think this game will end 1-1 and go to penalties. If I had to pick a side to win on penalties, I’d choose Liverpool. I’m not only saying that because I know Liverpool will turn up for this game and I can’t say the same for Newcastle!”.
“Liverpool has been in this situation before and knows its way around finals. Newcastle, on the other hand, will have a few nerves to handle if the game goes deep like I expect it to. I guess it all comes down to whether Newcastle can turn up for this clash knowing and believing it has got every chance of beating Liverpool.”
