Liverpool vs Newcastle United Tactical Preview: Team News, Key Men And Streaming Links | OneFootball

Despite enduring a shootout heartbreak on Tuesday night against PSG, Liverpool could grab their first silverware of the season on Sunday evening. They will clash heads with Newcastle United in the EFL Cup final as the reigning champions aim for a record-extending eleventh crown at Wembley Stadium.

The Magpies eliminated teams like Nottingham Forest, Brentford, Chelsea and Arsenal en route to securing a place in the final. Also, the Reds’ fatigue and fitness woes following a gruelling 120 minutes in the Champions League might work in their favour. Having said that, the ‘Klopp’s kids’ did it last year in the extra time against Chelsea, and the runaway Premier League leaders have defied the odds under Arne Slot with little financial backing from the board since his summer arrival for Feyenoord.

Liverpool vs Newcastle United: Talking Tactics

Slot prefers a 4-2-3-1 but has often tweaked his set-up to incorporate his tactics and gameplan. While the ‘number 9’ has to track back and play his part in the build-ups, the Dutchman also deployed a 4-2-4 with no definite centre-forward. Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai kept on making down-the-middle runs against Manchester City, thus shifting the formation to 4-4-2 which offered numerical supremacy in the Skyblues half.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 26: Alexis Mac Allister of Liverpool is challenged by Bruno Guimaraes of Newcastle United during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Newcastle United FC at Anfield on February 26, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Eddie Howe is more direct and rigid with his 4-3-3 set-up where the midfield plays a key role in controlling the tempo. His players offer physicality, technical traits and creative spark, and the swift attacking transitions from the back often cause menace in the opponents’ defence due to the pace and directness of the wingers and the poaching traits of the centre-forward.

Team News

Liverpool

Ibrahima Konate is back in the training despite being forced to leave the pitch against the Parisians in extra time. But they have lost Trent Alexander-Arnold [ankle] for months, also, the injury absence of Connor Bradley [muscle] and Joe Gomez [hamstring] might see the gaffer opt for Jarell Quansah as a makeshift right-back. Tyler Morton, who has played as a fullback in the Cup games, is also ruled out with a shoulder injury.

Kelleher; Quansah, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Diaz; Jota

Newcastle United

The suspension of Anthony Gordon is a significant blow for the Toon Army. Similar to Liverpool, Newcastle are also without three key defenders in Lewis Hall, Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles.

Newcastle United Predicted XI (4-3-3)

Dubravka; Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento; Guimaraes, Tonali, Joelinton; Murphy, Barnes, Isak

Key Men

Liverpool

Liverpool will once again rely on Mohamed Salah who has slipped down the pecking order in the Ballon D’Or shout following Liverpool’s Round of 16 exit. The Egyptian is carrying them upfront with an incredible 54 goal-bound contribution ( G + A) in 42 games, however, the pressure will be immense on Ryan Gravenberch who must ensure supremacy in the midfield battle.

The absence of Joelinton and Alexander Isak made it look easy for Liverpool in their commanding 2-0 win a couple of weeks ago. But the Brazilian’s physicality in midfield, along with the sharpness of the Swedish high up the pitch, could result in back-to-back setbacks for the Merseysiders.