Video Analysis: How Newcastle Exposed Liverpool’s Weaknesses in Carabao Cup Final | OneFootball

Liverpool’s EFL Cup Final Defeat to Newcastle: Video Analysis Breakdown

Liverpool’s 2-1 loss to Newcastle United in the EFL Cup Final was more than just a missed opportunity for silverware—it laid bare the structural weaknesses that have plagued the team throughout the season. In Panenka LFC’s post-match analysis, they dissected exactly where things went wrong, highlighting tactical missteps, physical fatigue, and selection decisions by Arne Slot that left Liverpool exposed.

Squad Rotation Issues Leading to Fatigue

From the outset, the analysis made it clear: “It’s not that our starting 11 is weak—far from it. But the predictability in Slot’s selections has become a problem.” While rotation is always a delicate balance, Liverpool’s failure to rotate key players in previous matches led to a visible drop in intensity.

The video noted: “Sometimes you don’t need advanced stats to see what’s happening. The eye test tells us everything—we’re running out of steam.” This drop in physicality was evident across the pitch, with the team struggling in transitions, failing to win second balls, and showing slower recovery rates than earlier in the season. Against a Newcastle side known for relentless pressing and aggression, this proved costly.

The lack of energy wasn’t down to motivation, but rather “a problem that could have been avoided with better squad rotation.” Fatigue doesn’t just impact a team physically—it influences decision-making, positioning, and execution, and Newcastle capitalised on Liverpool’s tired legs.

Newcastle’s Tactical Approach Disrupted Liverpool

Within 30 seconds, Newcastle made their tactical intentions clear. The video broke it down: “They pressed us high in a 4-4-2 setup, turning it into a man-to-man press whenever we tried to play out from the back.”

This left Liverpool’s defence with limited passing options, forcing them to play long. Ordinarily, “long balls are usually our bread and butter,” but the team’s physical drop-off meant they struggled to win second balls, allowing Newcastle to dominate possession and dictate the tempo.

The pressing from Eddie Howe’s side was relentless: “Their two strikers closed down our centre-backs, the wide players pressed our fullbacks, and the central midfielders stuck tightly to our pivots.” With few options to progress the ball, Liverpool’s attacks became disjointed, leading to turnovers in dangerous areas.

Lack of Presence in the Box and Creativity in the Final Third

Beyond the physical battles, Liverpool’s attack struggled to break down Newcastle’s defensive shape. The analysis pinpointed a major flaw: “We had little to no presence in the box to capitalise on crosses.”

There were moments when Liverpool attempted to adapt, but issues persisted. “Jota understandably had to drop deep in this sequence to help with progression… but the problem? He never made an intense run back into the box afterward.” The absence of central attacking presence rendered crosses ineffective, leaving Newcastle’s defence untroubled.

Liverpool also faced challenges in their usual attacking patterns. Newcastle’s compact 4-5-1 setup ensured that “they clogged the central areas while also overloading their left side to isolate Salah.” As a result, Salah found himself “rarely receiving the ball in a position where he could face the opposition block,” which limited his ability to drive at defenders and create goal-scoring opportunities.

Photo: IMAGO

Could Arne Slot Have Done More?

With Newcastle dropping into a deeper block in the second half, Liverpool’s struggles only intensified. However, when Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott were introduced, there was a noticeable improvement. The video emphasised: “It’s no surprise that our only goal came from a Harvey Elliott assist, which Chiesa finished beautifully.”

This raised an important question—could Slot have utilised Chiesa in a false nine role earlier? The analysts pointed out that: “If we’re going to play with a false nine, we have to ask—why didn’t Slot try the Italian in that role?” Chiesa’s “intensity, clever off-ball movement, and ability to provide passing options” make him an ideal candidate for the position, as seen in his successful stint at Juventus.

Ultimately, while tactical tweaks were attempted, they came too late. Newcastle’s discipline and structure ensured Liverpool couldn’t mount a comeback, leaving fans and analysts alike frustrated at what could have been.

Where Do Liverpool Go from Here?

While the defeat was painful, the contributors to Panenka LFC’s analysis video remained clear-headed. “It’s frustrating to miss out on a trophy, but it’s not the end of the world.” The bigger issue is that these weaknesses—fatigue, predictability, and struggles against aggressive pressing teams—could resurface in the Premier League run-in.

The video ended with a call for Liverpool to learn from this defeat: “With better squad management and the right reinforcements in the summer, we can fix these issues and hopefully maintain the gap with other teams.” The hope is that Arne Slot and the Liverpool board take note and ensure these problems don’t persist into next season.