LIVERPOOL and Newcastle go head-to-head in an absolute blockbuster Carabao Cup final TODAY!
The two English giants are seeking silverware in the first domestic final of the season for very different reasons.
Liverpool already have a firm grasp on the Premier League title, but Arne Slot will be hoping to win his first trophy as Reds boss this afternoon, as the Merseyside outfit attempt to keep their chances of a double alive.
Elsewhere, Eddie Howe is determined to lead Newcastle to their first domestic honour in 70 years after Toon failed to end their drought at the final hurdle in the same competition just two years ago.
- Kick off time: 4.30pm GMT
- TV channel: ITV1/Sky Sports Main Event
- FREE live stream: ITVX
- Liverpool team: To follow…
- Newcastle team: To follow…
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Follow ALL the action from Wembley with our live blog below…
Final countdown
This will be only the second time Liverpool and Newcastle have met in a domestic final.
You have to go way back to 1974 FA Cup final for the last meeting at Wembley.
On that occasion, the Reds ran out 3-0 winners thanks to a Kevin Keegan brace and a goal from Steve Heighway.
Fast forward to more modern times, and Newcastle last beat Liverpool in any competition back in December 2015.
Credit: AFP Howe rejects ‘curse’
Toon boss Eddie Howe wants his team to write their own history today – and not look to the past.
Newcastle have not won a domestic trophy in 70 years and have lost five Wembley finals in a row.
Responding to claims of a curse on the club, Howe said: “I don’t subscribe to that way of thinking.
“There isn’t always a negative outcome.
“Destiny is in our own hands. I’m not even going to use the word you mentioned, it is not in that mindset, it’s about us delivering a great performance if we can.”
Credit: Getty View from Wembley Stadium
The anticipation inside Wembley is palpable.
To my right a sea of black and white, with each soldier of the Toon Army picking up a scarf from their seat which they will hope to be waving around their heads for the rest of the day.
The first huge roar of the day comes as Nick Pope and the other goalkeepers come out to do their warm-ups.
After what was a pretty chilly and gloomy morning the sun is now beaming down on a section of the Liverpool fans to my left.
Still just over an hour before kick-off here, but the vibes are already high, let’s hope it stays that way.
Credit: Getty
Isak – I fear no one
Newcastle will be hoping their red-hot Swede striker Alexander Isak continues to impress today.
The 25-year-old is enjoying a stunning season and says he fears nobody – especially Liverpool’s centre-half Virgil van Dijk.
Isak said: “I wouldn’t say I fear anyone, that’s a strong word.
“I have a lot of respect for Van Dijk and their whole defence. I’m a player who always focuses on myself.
“If I do the right things and play my best game it’ll benefit the team.”
Credit: Getty Kell of a call
So it’s Kelleher in net for the Reds – and he has plenty of history in this competition.
The Irishman scored a penalty in the shootout win over Chelsea in 2022.
And he made a string of key saves against the Blues lats year as Virgil van Dijk scored a late winner.
Credit: Getty Confirmed team news
Liverpool XI: Kelleher; Quansah, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Salah, Szoboszlai, Luis Diaz; Diogo Jota.
Newcastle United XI: Pope; Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento; Bruno Guimaraes, Tonali, Joelinton; Murphy, Isak, Barnes.
Credit: AFP He’s a keeper
Arne Slot has hinted that Alisson will start against Newcastle at Wembley, rather than last year’s final hero Caoimhin Kelleher.
Slot said: “They haven’t heard it themselves, but everyone who uses common sense [might guess].
“So [look] all of our line-ups, and you might have an idea.”
Credit: AFP Early team news
Not long now until we learn the two XI’s from the Home of Football.
For Newcastle, Antony Gordon (suspension), Lewis Hall (ankle) and Sven Botmon (knee) are all missing.
Liverpool will definitely be without Trent Alexander-Arnold (ankle), Conor Bradley (hamstring) and Joe Gomez (hamstring).
Credit: Alamy Toon takeover
There’s already a decent contingent of Newcastle fans soaking up the pre-match atmosphere in Wembley.
A few will be nursing sore heads following a raucous night in the capital.
Thousands of Toon supporters flocked to Covent Garden last night to oil up ahead of today’s potentially history-making clash.
Credit: AFP
Cup for it
It could be a day to remember for Newcastle as the first silverware of the season is up for grabs this afternoon.
Eddie Howe’s men are looking to a 70-year wait for a domestic trophy as they line up against Liverpool at Wembley.
Toon have travelled in big numbers, taking over the capital on Saturday night ahead of today’s showdown.
But they have it all to do against the holders, as Arne Slot targets a first trophy of his tenure.
No team has won this competition more times than Liverpool, with the Reds holding a formidable recent record over the Magpies.
Records are there to be broken, though. Whatever happens, it’s set to be an absolute belter in the Wembley sunshine.
Kick-off at 4.30pm, team news is imminent from the Home of Football.
Credit: AFP
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
