‘Ah just put it in the net!’ The now iconic bellow of John Anderson summed up the frustration of all those of a black-and-white persuasion back in September 2021. With apologies to Jacob Murphy, the former Newcastle defender spoke for thousands of United fans on co-commentary for BBC Radio Newcastle as the winger wasted a gilt-edged chance to win an otherwise dire 1-1 draw at Watford.
There would be just one more game for United in the Mike Ashley era – an even more depressing 2-1 defeat at Wolves – before the floodgates opened on hope and ambition with the Saudi-backed takeover of the club. At that stage, United hadn’t even won a game and, even in September, another relegation was looking distinctly likely.
The line-up at Vicarage Road that day featured no recognised striker, although Dwight Gayle came off the bench late on, Matt Ritchie at left-back and a central defensive pairing of Ciaran Clark and Federico Fernandez. Fabian Schar was an unused substitute, alongside Elliot Anderson, while Isaac Hayden and Javier Manquillo started.
But what’s the point of this somewhat depressing walk down memory lane?
Well, my bet is that if you told any Newcastle fan on that dreary day three and a half years ago that they would now be about to face Liverpool in a Wembley final, they might not believe you. Add in the fact that they those wearing United colours in the famous old stadium wouid include two Brazil internationals, the lynchpin of Italy’s midfield, two former and one current England international . . . and one of the best (if not THE best) striker in Europe, and you may have been laughed out of town.
So why, now the above has come to pass, are so many writing off Newcastle United’s chances of beating Liverpool on Sunday?
OK, one indisputable fact is that Liverpool are currently the best team in England, if not Europe right now. That makes the job incredibly difficult and United are understandably underdogs. Fine.
But written off? In a two-horse race? Really? They may be second favourites, but can any side containing Alexander Isak, Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes to name but three every be written off?
Of course it’s a huge blow to be without the suspended Anthony Gordon and injured Lewis Hall and Sven Botman. The trio would all add quality to the Newcastle squad and they will be a big miss. However, this side has more than enough to cope without them.
It’s probably fair to say they need to step their game up after some underwhelming performances in the last six weeks or so, but this is the same squad which went toe-to-toe with Arsenal over two legs and outfought and outsmarted them at both the Emirates and St James’ Park. This is the same squad which has defeated Nottingham Forest home and away this season, beaten Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham (twice) and Aston Villa and now has a very strong chance of qualifying for next season’s Champions League.
They may have lost far too easily when the two sides met at Anfield last month, but United gave Liverpool an almighty first-half battering on home soil in December. Yes, Arne Slot’s side came back strongly and a 3-3 draw was probably a fair result after a pulsating St James’ Park encounter, but it showed beyond doubt that Newcastle can hurt them.
So make Liverpool favourites, worry about the threat of Mo Salah, Luis Diaz, Dominik Szoboszlai, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Co . . . but don’t for one second write this Newcastle United side off.
View news Source: https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/newcastle-united-wembley-line-up-31175123
