Alan Shearer has highlighted the two players Newcastle United need fit and on form if they are to beat Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final. The Magpies take on the Reds at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, March 16.
The two sides met in a dress rehearsal on Wednesday night at Anfield in the Premier League. Liverpool cantered to a comfortable 2-0 victory to move themselves 13 points clear at the top of the table.
Arne Slot’s side have been in outstanding form this campaign, and remain on course for a treble with the Champions League also in their sights. They can complete the first leg in a fortnight’s time at Wembley, with Newcastle hoping to stop them in their tracks and end their 70-year wait for a domestic trophy.
Eddie Howe’s side will have to play a lot better than they did on Wednesday, however, where they barely laid a glove on the home side. United were without the services of instrumental trio Alexander Isak, Joelinton and Sven Botman, however, with all three expected to start the final if they return from injury in time.
Isak’s absence was down to a groin injury, with a late decision made on the talismanic striker. Isak is Newcastle’s top scorer this season, and Shearer says that Newcastle did the right thing in not risking the forward. And he believes that the Swede is instrumental to Newcastle’s hopes of lifting the trophy on March 16 – along with Brazilian star Joelinton.
The Newcastle legend said: “Eddie Howe is right not to risk key players ahead of the Carabao Cup final Alexander Isak was a notable miss from the team sheet against Liverpool, but I wouldn’t be that concerned about his injury.
“I don’t know, but my guess is that any player who has anything wrong with them ahead of the Carabao Cup final is taking extra precautions. I don’t think that Eddie Howe will take any risks with him before that game. I think it’s pretty clear that if Newcastle are going to win the final then they’re going to need their big-hitters fit. That means Isak and Joelinton as well, who we certainly missed in midfield at Anfield.
“Anyone who’s not 100% fit for Sunday’s FA Cup game against Brighton, and for West Ham the following Monday won’t be risked. That’s the right thing to do.
“It’s the tough thing for Newcastle now, trying to get that balance right between finishing third, fourth or fifth and also having an eye on the final on March 16. Also, they will hopefully have an FA Cup quarter final to worry about, if they can get through the Fifth Round this weekend. The FA Cup presents a huge opportunity in itself, with Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham all already out of the competition.
“That’s the balancing act which Eddie has to manage between now and the end of the season, trying to win competitions while also finishing strongly in the league. As hard as it is being rested while in great form, you somehow have to park the cup final. It’s difficult, you have to say that’s gone with it in two and a bit weeks’ time.”
Isak is expected to sit out United home tie against Brighton on Sunday, despite the importance of the FA Cup. The in-form striker has had a sensational season, but Shearer doesn’t feel missing a couple of games will affect him too much.
“Isak won’t lose his rhythm at all – he got two goals last week and just because he didn’t play on a Wednesday that won’t affect him when he does return to the team,” he told Betfair.
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