Newcastle United will be hoping that Liverpool playing 120 minutes and being knocked out of the Champions League on Tuesday will impact this weekend’s Carabao Cup final. The Magpies head down to Wembley for the second time in three years with the hope of not seeing a repeat of their defeat to Manchester United in 2023.
Eddie Howe’s side saw preparations get underway perfectly on Monday evening with Bruno Guimaraes grabbing the winner in a disciplined performance away at West Ham in the Premier League. Alexander Isak also featured in the clash, despite injury concerns, and played 79 minutes before being replaced by Callum Wilson.
The Swede being fit to face Liverpool will come as a huge boost especially with Anthony Gordon, Lewis Hall and Sven Botman among those unavailable. As for Liverpool, with Cody Gakpo back on the bench against PSG, the Reds looked set to have the bulk of their squad available but that now looks in doubt.
With just over 15 minutes to play, Trent Alexander-Arnold landed awkwardly on his knee and appeared in some discomfort which saw him replaced by Jarell Quansah. In extra-time, Ibrahima Konate was also unable to continue and subsequently was taken off with Wataru Endo filling in at centre-back.
Slot offered an update on both in his post-match press conference. “Trent had to come off and that’s never a good sign,” he said. “From what I’ve heard from people who have seen how he got injured, it didn’t look very good. “I’d be surprised if he was available for Sunday. I have to ask but for me Ibou was more that he was tired than an injury.”
With Alexander-Arnold not expected to feature, the absence of Gordon is now even more of a blow, but it will instead seemingly be a great chance for Harvey Barnes to go into Newcastle folklore. However, as both teams have key players out, is it unlikely that will hugely decide the contest.
As Newcastle also played just 24 hours before Liverpool, both sides will have adequate time to recover. If anything, the Reds’ Champions League elimination could inspire them to respond in the best possible way by winning a trophy just five days later.
The Premier League title is all but wrapped up with Arsenal 15 points behind Liverpool and as they are also out of the FA Cup, this weekend’s final could represent the only remaining chance to fight for silverware on a level-playing field.
Playing an extra 30 minutes alongside two injury blows and the heartbreak of being knocked out of Europe could impact Liverpool negatively, but as professionals, it is unlikely to play a role with the players arguably now even more keen to win.
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